Infections are always part of everyday living. Candidias is is brought about by an overpopulation of a certain type of fungus in virtually any area of your body. This is considered as the most common type of yeast infection that proliferates in moist and warm body areas like the vagina, oral cavity, skin (lower abdomen, under the breast), underarms, and nailbed. Vaginal candidiasis can be resistant to some treatments and nailbed yeast infections take longer to treat. This type of infection may be considered as a sign or symptom of leukemia, AIDS, or diabetes.

Since candidiasis is a common yeast infection, you should  know what causes this to really avoid it. Some of the common causes are steroid use, antibiotic use, pregnancy, diabetes, sperm, contraceptive pills, the stage after menopause, cancer treatments, immune system weakening diseases like AIDS, use of catheters, and the use of IV lines. People with very weak body defenses develop organ system diseases when they contract candidiasis. This makes their condition even more aggravated.

Signs and symptoms of candidiasis in women are thick vaginal discharge (like cottage cheese), itching, irritation, burning during urination, and pain during sex. In infants and adults, candidiasis may appear in various ways. One way is the oral thrush or oral candidiasis. Signs and symptoms of this are lacy patches with a red base in any area of the mouth and pain. Oral thrush is also called moniliasis and could be managed with proper hydration. Another is the skin infection wherein the outer layer of the skin breaks down and flat rashes with scallop edges grow, which cause pain and itching. For immunocompromised people, isolated yeast infections tend to spread much faster throughout their bodies. An oral thrush may spread down the throat and straight into the intestines. This disables the digestive system. When the yeast infection spreads through the bloodstream and reaches the brain, behavior and mental functioning may take place.

One of the effective treatments of candidiasis is the use of prescribed medications such as Femstat. This is also known as butoconazole vaginal or Gynazole. Femstat  is a medication that targets fungus and prevents it from proliferating. Here are some of the important facts that you should take note about Femstat:

 

1. Considerations

It is important that you follow the instructions given by your doctor, especially the length of time. Your symptoms may already get better before you even finish the treatment but you should still continue going through with it. Take note that Femstat or butoconazole has a mineral oil component that weakens latex (condoms and diaphragms), so these forms of contraception will not be effective during your Femstat treatment.  It would be better if you use another means of birth control during your treatment up to three days after. While using Femstat, it is important for your vagina to have enough air circulation so avoid tight-fitting underwear that is made of synthetic cloth (nylon) until you fully heal. Consult your doctor if you want to use vaginal douches and creams.

 

 

2. Before using

Before you use Femstat, make sure that you have no allergies to it. You shouldn’t use it if your are suffering from abdominal pain, fever, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or foul vaginal discharge. Femstat is said to be under FDA pregnancy category C that means it could be very harmful to the fetus. You should tell your doctor of your pregnancy, plan for pregnancy, and if you’re breastfeeding  during your Femstat treatment.

 

 

 

3. How to use

You should always use Femstat according to the prescription given by your doctor. Do not increase the dosages or the length of time of treatment. Make sure that you wash your hands before and after administration of Femstat. You should use the applicator when you insert the Femstat cream into the vagina. Avoid getting any amount of the medication in your mouth, nose, and eyes. If the infection still persists even after your Femstat treatment, then you should  see your doctor again because you may be suffering from another kind of infection. You may use a sanitary napkin to prevent the medication from staining your underwear. Store Femstat in a dry, cool place at room temperature.

 

 

4. Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of Femstat are allergic reaction, itching, burning, cramps, pelvic pain, increased frequency in urination, swelling, and soreness.

 

 

 

 

 

You should keep your doctor informed all throughout your Femstat treatment. This is to make sure that you stick to the prescribed use of the medication. Also do this to make sure that you get immediately treated for any other type of infection that might occur other that your diagnosed candidiasis.