Is it safe to put yogurt directly on a yeast infection?

If you’ve heard of this popular home remedy but aren’t sure if it’s safe to put yogurt directly on a yeast infection, you’ve come to the right place. Here you will discover the advantages and disadvantages of yogurt as a home remedy for yeast infections and how to use it.

First, let’s look at why so many people use yogurt to treat their yeast infection…

HOW DOES YOGURT WORK TO FIGHT A YEAST INFECTION?

Plain, plain, unsweetened yogurt contains lots of good bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus acidophilus, which we also have in our intestines. This friendly bacteria helps keep the fungus Candida albicans in check, preventing it from growing too large and becoming a yeast infection.

But there are times in our lives when Candida has the opportunity to develop into a yeast infection. One of the main triggers for this is when the amount of good bacteria in the gut drops to such a level that they can no longer control the bad Candida.

So, to counteract a yeast infection, you need to build up the beneficial bacteria in your gut and also in the local area where the symptoms have appeared. Note: Most yeast infections are vaginal infections, which you may be suffering from right now.

One way to do this is by using plain unsweetened yogurt. But the important thing here is that you have to have the cultures alive. You should check the vat and look for confirmation that it contains “live cultures”. You are more likely to get this at a health food store than a supermarket.

Now, as to whether it’s safe for you…

IS IT SAFE TO PUT IT DIRECTLY ON A YEAST INFECTION?

The first thing to consider is if you are lactose intolerant. If so, you may still be able to use this remedy. It depends on how your intolerance manifests itself. If it is normally severe then do not try this remedy. If it’s negligible, you might want to test it.

If you’re still not sure, you can get probiotic capsules and suppositories at the drugstore. These contain Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria, the same friendly bacteria found in yogurt and in the gut. You can take the capsules to help build up the good bacteria in your gut and use the suppositories to fight Candida in your vagina.

If you can use the yogurt, just eat it every day to take care of your digestive tract. If you have a yeast infection, you can apply the yogurt to the vulva. For internal use, you can simply cover a tampon and wear it overnight. Repeat every night until the symptoms disappear. Then again for 1-2 more nights just to make sure.

Some women fill the fingers of latex gloves with yogurt and freeze them like popsicles in the freezer before using them as tampons. They say they get instant relief from itching and inflammation. It is also recommended to use a sanitary napkin because it can get a bit dirty when the ice melts.

For all methods, if your symptoms do not subside within a few days, you should see your doctor because there may be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed as well.

SUMMARY

In short, yogurt can be very effective, especially when used at the first signs of infection. It is generally safe to apply directly to a yeast infection, however if you are lactose intolerant it is best to speak to your doctor first. Of course, you can use probiotic capsules and suppositories from the pharmacy as an alternative.