You must have heard about Candida. No. we are not talking about Bernard Shaw's Candida but the infection Candida which is caused by natural yeast. Well, if you haven't heard about this infection then it is time that you paid attention to it. Because this is an infection which might make your waking and sleeping hours an uncomfortable affair! Imagine scratching your hands in front of people you have just met! Or worse still imagine your husband not wanting to eat food cooked by you since you scratch yourself hands all day long. Well, if you don't want such things to happen to you, then you better gather more information about this infection. People are growing more and more conscious by the day about Candida, so why not you too?!

Though the prescription antidote is suggested, many are uncertain or uncomfortable with the quick fix. Recently, more and more infected individuals have begun seeking natural remedies. The main drive to find an alternative to the over-the-counter cure is the uneasiness of experiencing the side effects that often come with artificial medicines.

But before you go out to hunt down one of nature's cures, we suggest you first think about preventing outbreaks. Natural yeast infections are sensitive and you need to make to avoid them. How can you do this? We'll tell you! Above all, the idea is hygiene, and taking care of your self.

If you are an alcoholic then you need to avoid all sorts of alcohol containing food and drink. Remember, that alcohol encourages the growth of yeast and that obviously is only going to aggravate the situation.

Any other things to avoid, you ask? There sure are. Foods made with margarine, caffeine, milk products, and junk food are on the list of No-Nos. Simply cut down on anything made with these, or, if possible, completely omit them from your diet. Drink water instead of soda, fruits instead of sweets, and try picking up a glass of soy milk.

It's also good idea to avoid using public facilities, whenever possible. Restrooms are a well-known breeding ground for germs, and communal toilets are likely to be swarming with germs that will worsen the state of your infection. The best advice we can give you here, is to go to the bathroom before you leave the house, and avoid drinking a lot of liquids while you're out and about. The same concept applies to swimming pools, so stay out of the city pool!

Another precaution is selecting the right condom. There are many types of the protection, and some can make your situation worse - the last thing you want to worry about when getting intimate. Be on the lookout for condoms that contain the spermicidal chemical Nonoxynol 9, because that will bring out the infection. That's not to say you shouldn't have safe sex, just find condoms that don't contain the chemical.

Do you like going a little heavy on the perfume? Unfortunately, while it may be good for attracting a partner, studies show that it can be bad for your infection. The same goes for scented sanitary pads and tampons, as well. The reason behind this is that the chemicals in the scent can trigger break-outs. The best thing you can do here is put away the essence, buy unscented tampons, and rely on appealing to the other senses for a while.

The best advice we can give you, though, is to drink lots of water. Yogurt has cultures that help fight of the infection, and garlic will help as well, so add those foods to your diet. Another cure is to apply tea tree oil to the infected area. It's natural and safe. Hopefully these will help you get by if you happen to attain a natural yeast infection.