How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection

The mention of a yeast infection can make anybody cringe. Yeast infections can affect many parts of the body.

When a yeast infection goes untreated, the condition worsens and can result in the yeast infection entering the bloodstream. This condition, known as invasive candidiasis or candidemia, is extremely serious and requires prompt treatment. (1)

A weak immune system or an immune system compromised with diseases like cancer or HIV makes a person more susceptible to yeast infections. Certain medications like antibiotics, antacids, aspirin, and cortisone also can cause an imbalance and create a yeast-friendly environment in the body, resulting in yeast overgrowth.

Causes of Yeast Infection

Yeast might be called by other names, depending on which part of the body if being affected. There are many different types of yeast that cause infection. Candida albicans is one of the most common yeast infections.

A yeast infection can affect many parts of the body, namely:

• Skin
• Genitals
• Mouth
• Throat
• Intestines
• Blood

Yeast infections usually develop and spread in moist, warm and dark conditions, especially in the genitals and skin. Yeast-friendly conditions in a person can lead to rapid spread of the infection throughout the mentioned body parts.

Symptoms of Yeast Infection

Candidiasis, for the most part, has a white appearance that is said to look like cottage cheese. Chronic fatigue, poor memory and concentration, foggy brain, symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD).

Other symptoms may include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood swings, anxiety, depression, and severe seasonal allergies.

Symptoms specific to certain types of yeast infections are as follows.

• Oral thrush usually affects infants, elderly, chemotherapy patients and people with a compromised immune system. Patients have slightly raised, white areas in the mouth and complain of pain and difficulty swallowing. These yeast infections may bleed and hurt on brushing. Patients may also experience cracking at the corners of the mouth.
• Intestinal yeast infection is mostly characterized by acute intestinal distress. Cramping, diarrhea, extreme flatulence and heartburn are symptoms that indicate an intestinal infection.
• Vaginal yeast infections are characterized by extreme itching, soreness, and redness in the vaginal area. Women also experience a white, clumpy discharge of the texture of cottage cheese and painful intercourse.
• In men, a genital yeast infection affects the head of the penis. Patients may experience irritation, redness, and white, cottage cheese-like discharge. (2)
• A skin yeast infection usually manifests in the folds of the skin, as such areas provide the ideal warm and moist conditions for yeast overgrowth. These may include the armpits, groin, area under the breasts, between fingers and toes, and under nail beds. Symptoms of a skin infection range from a simple rash to fluid-oozing blisters. The skin may appear dry with itchy and red, raised bumps.

How to Prevent a Yeast Infection

• Avoid overuse of antibiotics. They disrupt the beneficial bacteria that keep yeast growth under control.
• Avoid foods containing simple sugars and fermented drinks. Beer, wine, bread, and sugar are some of the foods to be avoided.
• Practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular dental checkups can help prevent oral thrush. Overuse of mouthwashes and oral sprays should also be avoided to prevent the infection.
• Keeping the skin clean and dry is the best way to prevent a skin yeast infection.
• Eating a diet rich in probiotics can help keep an intestinal infection at bay.
• Wearing cotton underwear that allows air circulation and practicing good hygiene can help prevent yeast infection in the genitals. Women should change menstrual pads and tampons often and avoid using fragrant products in the genital area.

How to Treat a Yeast Infection with Apple Cider Vinegar

Now that you know a bit about yeast infections, you can use the ACV remedies below to deal with Candida naturally and prevent it from coming back.

ACV is gentle to the delicate pH balance of the skin and internal body parts. It helps fight off the infection while maintaining the natural acidity of the skin.

With consistent use, these remedies can guide you on how to use ACV to get rid of a troubling yeast infection.

Oral Yeast Infection

Method 1: Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Mouthwash

Conventional mouthwashes are bactericidal and often kill the bacteria naturally present in your mouth, creating an imbalance of the oral bacteria that would otherwise help control yeast overgrowth. This can lead to or exacerbate a yeast infection or oral thrush.

Studies suggest that it has anti-fungal properties helpful in treating conditions such as denture stomatitis. (4)

Using an ACV mouthwash can help you beat oral yeast overgrowth. Always use raw, organic ACV that contains the “mother” of the apple. This mass of the bacteria culture is the source of probiotics and subsequent benefits in the ACV.

Things you’ll need:

• ACV – 2 tablespoons
• Water – 1 cup

Step 1. Combine apple cider vinegar and water

• Add 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered ACV to 1 cup of water and mix well.

Step 2. Store and use the mouthwash twice daily

• Pour the ACV solution into a glass jar and keep it in your bathroom cabinet.
• Use the ACV solution as a mouthwash twice a day.
• Gargle with this solution for up to 60 seconds at a time to get relief.
• Swish it around in your mouth, ensuring that the yeast-infected areas get thoroughly irrigated.
• Be prepared for a little burning sensation. You can dilute the solution with more water if you experience unbearable stinging.

Repeat the treatment as needed.

Intestinal Yeast Infection

Method 1: Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

The probiotics present in raw, organic ACV can be of great help in reestablishing the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Since these bacteria help keep yeast growth under control, regular consumption of an ACV drink can help treat a yeast infection.

Following a Candida diet in addition to consuming this ACV drink can speed up your recovery.

Things you’ll need:

• ACV – 2 tablespoons
• Water – 1 cup

Step 1. Combine apple cider vinegar and water

• Add 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered ACV to 1 cup of water.

Step 2. Stir and consume the drink daily on an empty stomach

•  Mix the solution well.

Consume this drink daily on an empty stomach until you achieve desired results.

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Method 1: Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Soak

If you’re dealing with a full-blown vaginal yeast infection, an ACV soak for the affected area is recommended. ACV has a lower pH and helps reestablish the naturally acidic environment of the vagina, which discourages the growth of the yeast. (3)

ACV used for genital application should be mildly acidic (about 5% or less). At times, the ACV may cause a burning sensation in the vagina. Do a spot test before use and dilute the ACV according to your tolerance level.

Things you’ll need:

• Water – 2 tablespoons
• ACV – 2 tablespoons

Step 1. Dilute apple cider vinegar with water

• Add raw, unfiltered ACV to an equal amount of water in order to dilute it. We’ve used 2 tablespoons of each. You can adjust the quantity to meet your need.

Step 2. Soak the affected area with the solution daily

• Dip a cotton ball into the diluted ACV, saturating it completely. You can also use a cotton pad or a strip of clean cotton cloth for this purpose.
• Place the cotton ball over your vagina, covering the infected area completely, and hold it in place for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Wash the area with plain water and pat it completely dry with a soft, absorbent towel.

Repeat this remedy daily until the yeast infection goes away completely.

Method 2: Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Bath

Another way to address a vaginal yeast infection is to take an ACV bath, especially if the infection is more spread out and also affects the skin folds near and around the genitals. This remedy is easier to follow and can help address skin infection as well.

• All you need to do is run a comfortably hot bath. Fill the tub with just enough water in which to immerse your genitals.
• Add 2 cups of raw, unfiltered ACV to the bathwater.
• Sit in the ACV bath for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Pat yourself completely dry, especially in the genital area, with an absorbent towel before putting on clothes.

Repeat for several days as needed.

Male Yeast Infection

Method 1: Use Apple Cider Vinegar with Yogurt

A yeast infection in a man’s genitals manifests on the head of the penis and can be treated with an ACV-yogurt mask. Both ingredients help curb a yeast infection when applied topically.

Adding these ingredients to your diet can provide additional help in fighting off the infection. Always use non-sweetened yogurt for treating yeast infections.

Things you’ll need:

• ACV
• Yogurt

Step 1. Combine apple cider vinegar and yogurt

• Add raw, unfiltered ACV to an equal amount of yogurt.

Step 2. Mix it thoroughly and apply the blend on the infected area daily

• Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
• Apply the mixture over the genitals, covering the infected area completely.
• Leave the mixture on for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off with plain water.
• Pat the area completely dry with a soft, absorbent towel.

Repeat the remedy daily until the infection subsides entirely.

Skin Yeast Infection

Method 1: Use an Apple Cider Vinegar and Epsom Salt Bath

Soaking your entire body in an ACV bath is one of the best ways to deal with a yeast infection on the skin, especially if there are multiple infected areas or if the infection is in the folds of the skin near the genitals. This method can help you treat the infection as well as prevent it from spreading.

While the ACV deals with the yeast overgrowth, the Epsom salt alleviates the itching, burning, pain and swelling in the infected skin areas.

Things you’ll need:

• ACV – 1 to 2 cups
• Epsom salts – 1 cup

Step 1. Combine Epsom salt and apple cider vinegar in a bowl

• Pout 1 to 2 cups of raw, unfiltered ACV into a bowl.
• Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to it and mix thoroughly.

Step 2. Blend the ingredients and add it to bathwater daily

• Draw a hot bath and add the mixture to it.
• Soak your entire body, especially the infected skin, in the bathwater for about 20 minutes.
• Remember to pat your body completely dry with a soft towel before putting on fresh clothes.

Use this remedy daily until the infection is gone.

Method 2: Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Spray

An ACV spray is an easy spot treatment remedy for skin yeast infections. All you need to do is keep a bottle handy for frequent applications until the infection loses the fight.

Things you’ll need:

• ACV
• Water in a small spray bottle

Step 1. Combine apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle

• Put some water in a small spray bottle and add an equal amount of raw, unfiltered ACV to it.
• You can use a funnel to pour the ACV into the bottle to prevent any spills.

Step 2. Shake it well & spray it on affected skin 2 - 3 times daily

• Put the spray cap on the bottle and give it a shake to mix the ingredients completely.
• Spray the diluted ACV on the skin affected with the yeast infection and let it dry.
• Avoid wetting the area for at least 30 minutes.

Repeat at least 2 or 3 three times a day. Severe infections may receive more frequent applications. Sensitive skin will tolerate less frequent applications.

Method 3: Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Compress

Another spot treatment for a skin yeast infection is using an ACV compress. This method is beneficial if you’re experiencing red, itchy and painful rashes. A hot ACV compress will alleviate the symptoms, while also treating the infection.

Things you’ll need:

• Hot water – 1 cup
• ACV – 1 cup

Step 1. Combine apple cider vinegar and hot water in a bowl

• Pour 1 cup of hot water into a bowl. Be sure that the water isn’t so hot that it will be uncomfortable or possibly burn your skin.
• Add 1 cup of raw, unfiltered ACV to it and mix thoroughly.

Step 2. Mix and apply the hot compress on infected skin 2-3 times daily

• Dip a folded, soft towel into the solution and squeeze out the excess liquid.
• Place the compress on the infected skin.
• Repeat the steps when the towel cools down.

Use this remedy 2 or 3 times a day until the infection goes away.

Tips for treating yeast infection

• If the yeast infection doesn’t subside with the home remedies or frequently recurs, consult your doctor.
• If fever and chills accompany the yeast infection symptoms, consult your doctor to check if the infection has spread into the bloodstream and requires treating with medication.
• For treating oral thrush in children, use a weak ACV mouthwash made by adding 2 teaspoons of ACV to 1 cup of water.
• Observe caution while administering a hot ACV compress to avoid accidental burns.

Resources:

1. Kabir MA, Hussain MA, Ahmad Z. Candida albicans: A Model Organism for Studying Fungal. ISRN Microbiology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3671685/. Published 2012.
2. NHS Choices. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/. Accessed March 11, 2019.
3. Ozen B, Baser M. Vaginal Candidiasis Infection Treated Using Apple Cider Vinegar: A Case Report. Alternate Therapies in Health and Management. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29112940. Published November 7, 2017.
4. Mota AC, de RD, de J, de E. Antifungal Activity of Apple Cider Vinegar on Candida Species Involved in Denture Stomatitis. Journal of Prosthodontics. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25219289. Published June 2015.

Summary of How to Use ACV to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection

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