If a yeast infection won't go away, it could be due to not finishing treatment, using over-the-counter (OTC) meds that aren't strong enough, a drug-resistant yeast strain, underlying conditions like diabetes or a weakened immune system, hormonal changes (like during perimenopause), or lifestyle factors creating a warm, moist environment (tight clothes, wet bathing suits). You might need a prescription antifungal, a different approach, or testing for other causes.
Why might a yeast infection last longer than usual?
Ignoring the signs of a yeast infection for too long can lead to complications, ongoing discomfort, and even misdiagnosis of a more serious condition. You should see a doctor if: Your symptoms last more than a few days without improvement. This is your first yeast infection, and you're unsure about the diagnosis.
Treatment for candidiasis
Yeast infections in the vagina or anus can be treated with medicated suppositories. Thrush may be treated with a medicated mouthwash or lozenges that dissolve in the mouth. Severe infection or infections in an immunocompromised child may be treated with oral anti-yeast medications.
Antibiotics, which decrease the levels of healthy bacteria in the body. Uncontrolled diabetes. Potential irritants, such as douching washes, spermicide, soaps, powders, or deodorants. Tight-fitting clothing and synthetic materials, such as bathing suits and sportswear.
A serious yeast infection may cause severe swelling, raw or broken skin, intense pain, or a fever. These symptoms often signal a more complicated infection or a different condition entirely. Prompt medical care can help confirm the cause and prevent symptoms from getting worse.
Starve the Yeast
First, you want to starve the Candida, which feeds off of sugar,2 refined carbohydrates, and yeast-containing foods. For this reason, you will remove all gluten, sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, dried fruit, fruit juices, and fermented foods as part of your anti-Candida diet.
Itching and irritation in the vagina and tissues at the vaginal opening, called the vulva. A burning feeling, mainly during intercourse or while urinating. Redness and swelling of the vulva. Redness may be harder to see on Black or brown skin than on white skin.
Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis as well as lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory condition that is more common in postmenopausal people, can mimic symptoms of a yeast infection. The symptoms of lichen sclerosus are primarily severe itching.
Using an antifungal medicine for 3 to 7 days most often clears a yeast infection. Antifungal medicines come in the form of creams, ointments, tablets and small objects you put into your vagina, called suppositories. They include miconazole (Monistat 3) and terconazole.
Antifungal medications treat most vaginal yeast infections. They work by fighting yeast overgrowth in your body.
An untreated yeast infection that persists for too long, can lead to complications that require medical attention. These include painful sores, infertility, or even a potentially deadly bloodstream infection (called candidemia).
Candidiasis is usually a minor infection. It affects specific parts of your body, like your mouth (thrush) or vagina (vaginal yeast infection). But an invasive candidiasis infection can be life-threatening. It spreads to vital organs throughout your body, including your eyes, kidneys, heart and brain.
In some cases, the yeast causing the infection may be resistant to fluconazole. Some research shows that Candida glabrata and Candida krusei can be resistant to fluconazole. This resistance can develop with repeated use of antifungal medications, making them less effective over time.
What Causes Recurrent Yeast Infections? Yeast infections are caused by a fungus known as candida that is normally found in small numbers in the vagina. When the normal balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina is altered, the yeast may overgrow and cause symptoms.
Both bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections can cause discomfort, however neither is “worse” than the other. Getting the right treatment quickly will help clear up any symptoms. If left untreated, both conditions can lead to complications. If you think you have a vaginal infection, you should speak to your GP.
Many women may face the discomfort of a vaginal infection at some point in their lives. Yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV), and trichomoniasis are three common vaginal infections that can lead to itching, burning, unusual discharge, and vaginal odor.
Yeast infections often cause thick, white, clumpy vaginal discharge that usually doesn't smell (or only smells slightly different than normal). You might also have a creamy, whitish coating in and around your vagina. Most yeast infections lead to itching, burning, and/or redness in or around the vagina.
Vaginal thrush (yeast infection) feels like intense itching, soreness, and burning in the vaginal and vulval area, often with a thick, white, odorless discharge (like cottage cheese), and can cause pain during sex or urination, swelling, redness, and irritation. Symptoms vary but center around significant discomfort, irritation, and changes to vaginal discharge.
Vaginal yeast infections almost never require emergency treatment. Although UTIs rarely constitute emergencies, they may require a trip to the ER if they progress and produce especially severe symptoms such as: Pain in the abdomen, sides, lower back, or pelvis. Fatigue.
Women tend to be more likely to get vaginal yeast infections if their bodies are under stress from poor diet, lack of sleep, illness, or when they are pregnant or taking antibiotics.
Self-Care
To treat a yeast infection quickly, you can use over-the-counter or prescription antifungal medication like fluconazole, terconazole, or miconazole. These treatments come in various forms, such as vaginal suppositories, creams, ointments, or oral tablets.