Baths and Yeast Infections | Good or Bad?

A yeast infection is a fungal infection that poses many challenges to your health, and treating a yeast infection can be equally challenging. Many changes in one’s diet and lifestyle need to occur when fighting off a yeast infection.

Can I Take A Bath With A Yeast Infection?

Many people are unsure whether it is a good idea to take a bath when they have a yeast infection. They worry that when taking a bath yeast infection could be aggravated. Professional opinions on baths and yeast infections can also be conflicting. So, can you take a bath with a yeast infection? The short answer: yes you can take baths with a yeast infection. But, let's discuss a little more about taking a bath with yeast infection.

It is essential to understand that not all yeast infections are the same. While all yeast infections occur due to an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans, a yeast infection can occur in different places in the body. It may therefore need different approaches to management and treatment.

A yeast infection can occur in the gut, in the mouth, on the skin, or in the vagina. The concern of whether a bath is good or bad for yeast infections typically applies to yeast infections of the skin or vagina.

Some people worry that taking a bath with skin or vaginal yeast infection could cause the infection to spread to other parts of the body. However, this isn’t something to be concerned about, and taking baths can be very helpful for managing yeast infections.

Some of the symptoms of yeast infections include itching, swelling, burning, and pain. A nice warm bath can help to relieve some of these uncomfortable symptoms. Additionally, a bath can help keep the infected area clean—which is essential whether you choose to take a shower or bath.

You can also increase the healing benefits by adding beneficial ingredients to soak in. For example, you can add antifungal herbs or essential oils like chaparral powder or tea tree oil to your bath to help kill fungal overgrowths on the skin.

Baths may play a beneficial role in treating vaginal yeast infections. However, do not use a douche when you have a vaginal infection. Douching is not recommended at all, as it can increase your risk of developing a vaginal infection in the first place. 

A douche is a device used to wash and clean the inside of the vagina. While this may sound good, douches can introduce bacteria into the vagina. The vagina is naturally protected from external bacteria, as it has a pH level of about 3.8 to 4.5. This acidic pH helps kill bacteria and prevents bacteria from entering the body. However, using a douche can bypass the vagina’s protective acidic barrier. As a result, it can introduce bacteria deeper into the vagina that otherwise would not have been able to enter. 

Because of this, douching can cause the overgrowth of harmful bacteria that can lead to bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection. In addition, if you already have a vaginal infection, using a douche can push the bacteria even further up into the body. Once deeper in the body, the yeast can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.

Because of these risks, we recommend avoiding douching. Focus instead on good hygiene and keeping the external surface of the vagina clean.

Are Baths Good for Yeast Infections?

So, are baths good for yeast infections? Are baths bad for yeast infections? It depends. While baths may be beneficial for yeast infections, there are a few precautions to consider. Fungal infections thrive in areas that are warm and moist. The groin, armpits, and feet are areas where fungal infections commonly develop.

It is essential to make sure that all areas of your body are well-dried after a bath, especially those at a higher risk of developing an infection. Avoid bathing in a Jacuzzi, as chlorine can kill beneficial bacteria that keep your skin and vagina healthy. They also heat the skin for a while after bathing, creating an ideal environment for yeast to grow.

Baths play an essential role in keeping your skin clean and can help relieve some of the symptoms of yeast infections and prevent further issues from developing. However, they cannot treat a yeast infection, despite the fact that some people often attempt to use baths for yeast infection treatment. If you have a yeast infection bath can be good for keeping clean but not for treatment. Just make sure you thoroughly dry your skin after.

To treat a yeast infection, you need to take antifungal herbs that kill the yeast overgrowth and restore its population to healthy. It is equally important to focus on improving the health of your microbiome so beneficial bacteria in your body can prevent a yeast infection from developing in the first place.