Preventing Fungal Infections in Women

If you suffer from recurrent fungal infections, you're not alone. Seven million women in the United States alone experience this. If you're pregnant, you're twice as likely to develop these infections. If this is a concern for you, Al-Adeeb Pharmacy is pleased to offer you, dear lady:

These tips for preventing and treating fungal infections.

1- Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear

Recent studies have shown that loose-fitting cotton underwear helps prevent fungal infections. You may already be wearing cotton underwear, but tight-fitting clothes trap moisture, creating a warm, humid environment—the perfect breeding ground for fungi. Loose-fitting underwear, on the other hand, allows for good ventilation and reduces fungal growth.

2. Avoid wearing tights.

Wearing tights also traps moisture and creates a suitable environment for fungal growth, unlike wearing stockings, which are generally more comfortable for most women.

3. Avoid wearing underwear whenever possible.

If you have the opportunity to go without panties, take advantage of it. For example, you can wear a nightgown at night, or when you're home alone, you can go without panties.

4. Avoid wearing pants, especially tight ones.

Tight pants can create a suitable environment for fungal growth because they trap moisture. You can wear a skirt, for example. If you must wear pants, try to wear loose-fitting, breathable pants, like athletic wear.

5. Wipe from front to back when urinating or defecating.

When rinsing after urination or defecation, wipe from front to back, not the other way around. Wiping from back to front can introduce a new fungal infection from the back, bringing it to the front.

6. Avoid sitting on nylon or vinyl seats.

Seats made of leather or vinyl, such as leather car seats, promote sweating. It is advisable to place a cloth or blanket on such seats before sitting on them.

7. Take a bath instead of a shower.

Sitting in a bath helps eliminate fungi. Also, use a washcloth to clean the area in front of the tub. Avoid using soap on the washcloth, as recent studies have shown that soap removes beneficial bacteria in that area, allowing harmful fungi to thrive. Furthermore, it is a well-established scientific fact that soap has no harmful effect on fungi.

8. Dry the vaginal area thoroughly after showering or swimming.

Dryness has been found to be an unfavorable environment for fungal growth, so it's best to keep this sensitive area hair-free and dry it well, even if you need to use a hairdryer.