Apple cider vinegar is often recommended for yeast infections, and it often works – but it needs to be used safely.
Many women swear by a diluted vinegar douche. However, as I keep mentioning as often as possible on this site, a douche can force bacterial infection up past your cervix, where the little beasties can do some major damage.
Never use a douche unless you know for sure that you really have a yeast infection. (See more about oral infections here). A very high percentage of women misdiagnose their infections, because the symptoms of bacterial infections mimic those of yeast infections. If you have bacteria instead of yeast, especially if you’re pregnant, a douche can be dangerous.
The vinegar bath – a safer way to use apple cider vinegar for yeast infections
A safer way to use vinegar to ease your symptoms is to dilute a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a basin of water, and use a sponge or cloth to wash your genital area with the diluted vinegar. Men can try this too, of course, if they have a rash in their genital area.
You can also try putting ½ cup of apple cider vinegar in your warm bath water, and then get in and relax for 20 minutes or so. Go ahead – you deserve a little relaxation.
You can use the vinegar wash alone or along with yogurt or garlic, or you can try using the honey treatment and then use the vinegar bath after washing off the honey. Go ahead and experiment to find a combination that works for you.
(This is a bit off-subject, but if you have athletes foot, try soaking your feet in a basin of diluted vinegar one a day for several days. The itch almost always goes away after using this easy treatment. Athlete’s foot is also cause by a fungus, and fungi don’t like vinegar.)
As always, whether you use apple cider vinegar for yeast infections or any other natural or OTC remedy, if your infection doesn’t go away within a few days you should call your doctor.