Yeast infections are no laughing matter. They can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, and even painful—and they’re more common than you might think.
Yeast infections occur when a fungus called Candida albicans takes over the vagina or other parts of the reproductive system. The condition is often associated with antibiotic use, pregnancy, diabetes, and a weakened immune system.
It’s possible to treat yeast infections at home with over-the-counter medications like creams and suppositories. But what if those remedies aren’t working? Or maybe you’re looking for natural alternatives that won’t have any side effects?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss whether vitamin E is effective against yeast infections and how much vitamin E you should take for yeast infection prevention.
Vitamin E For Yeast Infection
These benefits of vitamin E make it a no less than a magic potion
Experts have time and again stated that Vitamin E is high on antioxidants that strengthens immunity, reduces cell damage and helps fight free-radical injury.
Updated on Dec 18, 2019 03:58 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Delhi | ByPrerna Gauba Sibbal
Every now and then we see the market flooded with products promising soft glowing skin. But do all of them deliver what their advertisements and packaging say? Experts have time and again stated that Vitamin E is high on antioxidants that strengthens immunity, reduces cell damage and helps fight free-radical injury. They help prevent the skin from UVB damage, lock the moisture of the skin and make healing of imperfections such as marks and scars faster. Beauty experts, Dr Simal Soin and Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta break down the Vitamin E formula.
Add Vitamin E to daily rituals
The simplest and safest way to add Vitamin E in your skin care routine is by having a balanced diet rich in this vitamin. There is a list of food items rich in vitamin E such as vegetable oils, almonds, peanuts, blackberries, wheat germ oil, avocados etc. Vitamin E can be supplemented by choosing skin care products with essentially this ingredient. Serums/oils/moisturisers with vitamin E have been known to deeply moisturise the skin and reduce the possibility of cell damage that causes wrinkles, fine lines, hence making the skin look clearer, supple and younger. In conjunction to this, one should use sunscreens, moisturisers and if need be, oral supplements only after consulting with a doctor.
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Is Vitamin E beneficial?
As long as the form of Vitamin E is stable (ferulic acid is often added to Vitamin E and Vitamin C formulations to inhibit photoaging and UV damage too), they can prove just as beneficial as any other product. Read the label. The most common label is tocopherol, which is the only natural form of the vitamin that meets our needs.
Make it at home
Almond Oil + Vitamin E: Combine two capsules of Vitamin E with three teaspoons of almond oil. Mix well and apply on face to diminish marks and hydrate your skin. Do this at night so that your skin has time to absorb it well.
Apply undiluted Vitamin E oil in winters. We all have dry patches and it just heals itchy, rough, and tight skin. In fact, applying it straight to the scalp or the ends of your hair will only make things better. Since Vitamin E is fat-soluble, it penetrates faster and can actually help get rid of mild fungal infections or just make your hair straighter and much more nourished.
For your hair: Take 2 teaspoons each of pure vitamin E oil, 2 tablespoons of Jojoba oil and 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Beat them together till get you a fluffy gel pack. This will get rid of scalp infections, unclog hair follicles and moisturise your strands too. Keep it on for 30-45 minutes and wash it off with a sulfate-free shampoo.
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how to cure a yeast infection at home fast
OurK picks- What to expect
- Prevention
- FAQs
- Takeaway
A vaginal yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis) is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus that naturally lives in the vagina, called Candida albicans.
This overgrowth triggers irritation, inflammation, itching, and painful discharge. Most women experience a yeast infection at some point during their lifetime.
If this is your first time experiencing the symptoms of a yeast infection, visit a gynecologist to verify that you actually have a yeast infection and not something else.
But if you have recurring yeast infections, talk with a doctor about other safe ways to treat a yeast infection or perhaps prevent reoccurrence.
Some of these remedies use ingredients that you might already have in your home. Their effectiveness varies, and evidence for their success is mostly anecdotal.
Combined with your doctor’s care, complementary therapies may provide some relief.
Keep reading to find out about some popular home remedies for yeast infections.
Healthline’s picks of 11 home remedies for treating yeast infections
1. Greek yogurt
Probiotics can be effective against C. albicans.
Yogurt can be considered a probiotic because it contains live bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. These bacteria are essential to creating a healthy environment in your vagina. They can help treat an overgrowth caused by an imbalance.
Confirmed in a 2017 study, eating yogurt helps increase the gut microbiome and can reduce yeast in the body. If you don’t like yogurt, then take probiotics. Probiotics are best taken with food.
Plain Greek yogurt is the best kind to use for this home remedy. Make sure that the yogurt doesn’t contain any added sugar, flavoring, or fruit. Added sugar can fuel growth of the Candida fungus.
To reap the benefits, try eating the yogurt, applying it to the vulva around the vagina, or inserting it vaginally.
Try these products
- 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Greek Yogurt Plain
- Chobani Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
2. Boric acid
Boric acid is a powerful antiseptic that some people claim is useful for treating yeast infections that are resistant to other remedies.
Boric acid vaginal suppositories may be used with medications to treat vaginal infections.
Boric acid is toxic in large amounts. It can lead to kidney damage, acute failure of the circulatory system, or death if you absorb too much. Don’t use boric acid on broken skin, and don’t take it orally.
If you’re pregnant, don’t use boric acid in any form.
If you have sensitive skin, this may not be a good option. Discontinue use if any discomfort begins.
Try these products
- Love Wellness The Killer Boric Acid Suppositories
- The Honey Pot Company Boric Acid & Herbs Suppositories
3. Essential oil of oregano
Common oregano, or Origanum marjoram, is what you usually find in your grocery store’s spice section. The oil of oregano used to treat yeast infections is not the same type, however.
Look for oil of oregano made from wild oregano, or Origanum vulgare.
A 2017 studyTrusted Source found oregano essential oil to be effective in altering the growth of C. albicans.
Oil of oregano is a natural blood thinner, so don’t use it (diffused or topically) if you take blood thinners for another health condition. In addition, don’t use it if you have blood-clotting issues, such as from a vitamin K deficiency.
Remember not to take essential oils orally. Essential oils are meant to be inhaled as part of aromatherapy. While some studies are examining other ways to use essential oil of oregano, experts recommend diluting it in a carrier oil, such as olive or sweet almond oil, at this time.
To use, mix 3 to 5 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. Then, apply it to the skin in massage. It can also be inhaled using a diffuser. Don’t apply this essential oil near the vagina.
Try these products
- UpNature Oregano Essential Oil
- Plant Therapy Oregano Essential Oil
4. Probiotic suppositories and supplements
Probiotics help restore the bacteria-yeast balance throughout your body.
If you start a regimen of oral probiotics that contain strains of the Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria, you can bring your digestive tract and vaginal flora back into alignment. Eating yogurt is one way to increase probiotics.
Oral supplements take about 10 days to reach full effect, so some people use probiotics as vaginal suppositories to see results more quickly.
Probiotic suppositories have also been shown to be effective for treating vaginosis.
Try these products
- Uqora Promote
- FloraFemme Homeopathic Vaginal Probiotic Suppository
5. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a fatty oil derived from the flesh of the coconut. The oil has many health benefits, including antifungal properties.
Studies show that coconut oil is effective against C. albicans, making this home remedy one of the few with strong evidence that it actually works.
To treat a vaginal yeast infection using coconut oil, be sure to buy pure, organic coconut oil. You can apply the oil directly to the affected area.
Try these products
- Nature’s Way Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- Okay 100% Pure Coconut Oil
6. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that’s used to kill fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
Research Trusted Source shows that a vaginal suppository containing tea tree oil may help treat vaginal infections. Tea tree oil has been shown to have antifungal properties.
Another study found tea tree oil to be effective as an antimicrobial in helping break down the biofilm.
Tea tree oil is an incredibly powerful essential oil. Make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil, if it’s going to touch your skin. Already prepared tea tree vaginal suppositories are the best option.
Only use tea tree oil occasionally, and never swallow it. If you have sensitive skin, don’t use tea tree oil. Discontinue use if any discomfort occurs.
Undiluted tea tree oil should never touch the skin.
Try these products
- NutraBlast Tea Tree Oil Suppositories
- Maple Holistics Tea Tree Essential Oil
7. Apple cider vinegar
One popular yeast infection remedy is an apple cider vinegar bath.
Vinegar has many medicinal uses, some more proven by research than others. When you add a half cup of apple-67 cider vinegar to a lukewarm bathtub and soak for 20 minutes, the acidic component of the vinegar can eliminate any harmful microorganisms, including yeast.
An apple cider vinegar bath is not the same as douching, which aims to flush out all bacteria (good and bad) from your vagina. Doing so leaves you more prone to a reoccurrence of the yeast infection. Don’t douche with apple cider vinegar.
Vinegar should be diluted in water before touching the skin. In addition, consider adding apple cider vinegar to your diet.
Try this product
- Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
8. Garlic
In a 2005 lab studyTrusted Source, garlic was shown to be an effective Candida killer.
While more studies are needed, research from 2019 examined the effect of using a garlic solution on sores of the mouth and found it was effective in inhibiting the growth of Candida. However, it was not as effective as using nystatin (Nystop), an antifungal medication.
If you want to try garlic to treat a yeast infection, add more garlic to your diet. Some websites recommend inserting garlic in the vagina, but burns and significant pain have been reported. Stick with adding garlic to foods instead.
9. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a bacteria- and yeast-killing antiseptic. Hydrogen peroxide Trusted Source is produced by Lactobacillus bacteria in the vagina and is part of the biological activity against yeast.
While it won’t work on every species of yeast, some people swear by using hydrogen peroxide topically when they get a yeast infection.
There’s no strong research to support the use of hydrogen peroxide to treat vaginal infections. Don’t douche with hydrogen peroxide. Adding it to a bath or diluting in water may help with yeast growing on the genitals.
Diluting (half water and half hydrogen peroxide) is recommended before applying it to your genitals, and don’t use it for an extended period of time.
Try these products
- Solimo Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution
- Swan Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution
10. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an immune system booster and also has a role in skin health. A strong immune system allows your body to bring itself back into balance.
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, has antimicrobial components, so some people add it to their diet to treat Candida overgrowths.
Try increasing your intake of vitamin C to boost your body’s ability to beat the yeast infection. Don’t apply the acidic vitamin C to the sensitive vaginal tissue.
Try these products
- Nature’s Bounty Vitamin C, 500 mg
- Nature Made Extra Strength Vitamin C Chewable, 1,000 mg
11. Vitamin E
Some doctors recommend vitamin E for certain types of vaginitis. In fact, studiesTrusted Source have found vitamin E to help reduce inflammation in Candida albicans in the lab.
Keeping your body healthy with adequate intake of vitamins makes sense when dealing with a yeast infection.
Vitamin E as a suppository in the vagina or vitamin E oil can be used once or twice per day for 3 to 14 days to soothe the mucous membranes of the vagina and vulva.
Try these products
- Nature Made Vitamin E, 180 mg
- Nature’s Bounty Vitamin E, 450 mg
Interested in other women’s health products?
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When to contact a doctor
Most home remedies bring relief within a few days. Some may take up to 1 week.
Call a doctor if your symptoms worsen or if new symptoms appear at any time during treatment. Also, call a doctor if you have persistent irritation that’s separate from yeast infection symptoms.
If your infection goes away with treatment but then returns, contact a doctor for advice. You may need a prescription-strength treatment to get rid of the infection for good.
Preventing vaginal yeast infections
Follow these tips to help prevent future yeast infections.
- Limit the amount of sugar and processed foods you consume. Yeast thrives on sugar.
- Wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
- Don’t spend extended periods of time in wet clothes or bathing suits. Yeast grows in warm, moist environments.
- Only use antibiotics when necessary.
- Don’t use douches unless advised by a doctor, and avoid vaginal deodorant sprays and scented vaginal lotions. They may alter the balance of good bacteria and yeast in your vagina