Boric acid for yeast infections might prove successful, especially if used at the first sign of symptoms. Doctors commonly recommend boric acid for treating yeast infections that fail to respond to other medications and for infections that reoccur. Boric acid treats Candida albicans, the yeast that causes vaginal infection, and other fungi that might show resistance to prescription and non-prescription medication. Some research shows boric acid for yeast infections cured the condition in 98 percent of women tested.
This treatment can be concocted at home by filling gelatin capsules with boric acid, an antiviral and antifungal chemical. A capsule should be inserted into the vaginal canal before bedtime on two or three consecutive nights. Boric acid should not be ingested or used if open wounds are present.
When yeast infections reoccur within a couple of months, another therapy might be needed. Physicians commonly suggest vaginal medications for up to two weeks and long-term maintenance doses of oral or vaginal creams, suppositories, or oral drugs. Boric acid for yeast infections that keep coming back can be used twice a week as a preventative measure. In some cases, the infection returns after a woman stops the maintenance doses of boric acid or prescribed medication. More than four yeast infections a year are classified as recurrent.
Boric acid usually eases the intense itching that describes the most pronounced and troublesome symptom. Other symptoms include burning or pain during urination or while having sexual intercourse. Some women report a thick, curd-like discharge when a yeast infection appears. Doctors advise against oral sex when an infection is present because it could lead to thrush, an oral infection linked to yeast.
Candida albicans yeast in a woman’s vagina represents a normal condition in small amounts. An infection crops up when too much yeast begins growing and disrupts the normal balance of yeast and bacteria. The Lactobacillus acidophilus bacterium controls the precise amount of healthy yeast, but this bacterium is sometimes killed when a woman takes antibiotics for an unrelated health problem. Yeast infections can be bothersome, but do not pose any serious health risks.
Yeast infections are common among pregnant women and women using estrogen as hormone replacement therapy. Pregnant women should not take oral antifungal medication because it poses a risk to the unborn child. Boric acid for yeast infections in pregnant women presents a safe alternative to prescribed oral medication and vaginal creams. If the condition does not resolve, tests can be done for other conditions, such as diabetes or sexually transmitted diseases that cause similar symptoms.
These infections might be prevented by keeping the vaginal area dry. Wet swimsuits or exercise clothing provide a warm, moist environment that encourages yeast to flourish. Cotton underwear helps keep air circulating to prevent infection. Doctors typically advise against using perfumed toilet paper, soap, feminine sprays, and scented tampons. Douching should also be avoided because it might disrupt the normal balance of yeast and bacteria.