Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Tips » Tips for Diabetics to Prevent and Treat Yeast Infections

Tips for Diabetics to Prevent and Treat Yeast Infections

Diabetes and yeast infections seem to go together. Women with diabetes type 1 and type 2 are at risk for developing vaginal yeast infections. Yeast is a microorganism known as Candida, which is a nasty organism that thrives on the bodies of diabetics with elevated blood sugar levels. Candida is common among men and women who take antibiotics, because the antibiotics kill the good germs along with the bad, which allows yeast to flourish. Individuals with diabetes type 1 and type 2 are at risk for Candida when their blood sugar levels rise above normal. Yeast thrives on diabetics with elevated blood sugars, and it can be very difficult to get rid of it.

Women, in general are susceptible to yeast because their vaginal area is open and it is normally moist. The moist vaginal area is an ideal place for yeast to feed and grow. Add diabetes to the mix, and the yeast grows at an alarming rate. If you are diabetic and have a yeast infection, it isn’t uncommon to see the infection travel in the crevices and down your thighs.

The following tips will instruct how to prevent yeast infections:

1.You can prevent a yeast infection if you wear cotton panties. Cotton is more breathable than nylon or some other material. Wearing cotton underwear may not guarantee that you won’t develop a yeast infection, but you have a better chance of avoiding a Candida infection if you do wear cotton underwear.

2.It is important to wear clothing that isn’t tight around the bottom and genital area. Many girls and women like to wear skin tight jeans and slacks, which does not allow air to circulate around the genital area. Tight clothing can prevent moisture from escaping the genital area.

3.Eating or drinking cultured foods can help keep the balance of “good” germs in your body, which will keep yeast from forming. Buttermilk and yogurt are two great sources of friendly bacteria. If you make foods with live cultures part of your daily diet, you may be able to avoid a yeast infection.

If you are a diabetic and you think you might have a yeast infection, contact your doctor right away. Because diabetics are vulnerable to serious infections, a doctor needs to diagnose that you have a yeast infection or some other type of vaginal infection. Having a yeast infection when you are diabetic puts you at risk for other infections, because while yeast is having a feeding frenzy with your elevated glucose, your body is not as able to fight off bacterial or viral infections, as it normally would if you didn’t have Candida.

The following tips will instruct how to treat Candida:

1.If you are sure you have a Candida infection, over the counter yeast infection medications are sufficient to kill the yeast; however, you may need to consult with your physician to be sure you don’t have something else.

2.You will most likely need two types of medication for yeast infections, one is Miconazole and the other is Nystatin. Miconazole is an antifungal medication to be used inside of the vagina. It can also be used on the outside of the vagina if you buy the cream. If you buy the suppositories, you can use Nystatin, which is an antifungal cream to be used topically.

While you are treating yourself for a yeast infection, it is a good idea to begin eating and drinking foods with probiotics, the friendly bacteria that keeps the yeast from growing rampant. The cultured products are mentioned in the preventative section. While treating yourself and after you get rid of the yeast infection, it is important to remember to avoid tight clothing and to wear cotton underwear. You may need test your blood glucose with your diabetes glucometer more often when you have a yeast infection. It is vitally important to report elevated readings to your health care professional, if you have a yeast infection.

Related Articles

• Tips Concerning Bitter Lemon to Treat Diabetes
• Tips for Understanding Sliding Scale Insulin Administration
• I am diabetic and I am worried if I will still be allowed to drive my car?
• My wife is diabetic and she needs to go in for some oral surgery. I have been told that dental surgery is dangerous for a diabetic. Is this true? What can we do to make the surgery as safe as possible and why is she having so many problems with her teeth and gums at this time. This is a woman who used to have a healthy set of teeth and gums all her life.
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Tips to Prevent Itching from Skin Complications related to Diabetes
• Sexual Health Tips for Women with Diabetes