Patient's question:
Hello!Can baking soda (edible baking soda) be used to clean the lower body to control vaginal candidiasis instead of the so-called baking soda?
Thank you!! First follow-up question: The packaging states "edible baking soda," can it replace the baking soda everyone mentions for cleaning the lower body to control fungal infections? Also, can baking soda be used to rinse the vagina? Thank you! :)
Doctor's answer:
Hello, rinsing the vaginal opening with soda water can easily affect the normal pH balance of the vagina. Common medications for candidiasis include nystatin suppositories, one suppository (10,000 units) inserted deep into the vagina each night, with a 10-day course of treatment. Additionally, oral itraconazole tablets can be taken for one week. After completing the course of treatment, it is necessary to return to the hospital for a follow-up to determine if further medication is needed. While maintaining external genital hygiene, the husband should clean the penis before sexual activity. Treatment for candidiasis can be achieved through either purely Western medicine or a combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.(1) General treatment: Actively treat other diseases that can cause candidiasis and eliminate predisposing factors. Maintain clean and dry external genitalia, avoiding scratching. Abstain from sexual activity during treatment. Avoid spicy and irritating foods.
(2) Adjusting vaginal pH: The optimal pH for Candida growth is 5.5. Using alkaline solutions to rinse the external genitalia and vagina can alter the vaginal pH, inhibiting the growth and reproduction of Candida. A 2%–4% baking soda solution can be used to rinse the vagina once or twice daily, with a 2-week course of treatment. After rinsing, dry the external genitalia to maintain dryness and inhibit the growth of Candida.
(3) Vaginal medication: Using imidazole suppositories for vaginal medication is highly effective for candidiasis. Clotrimazole suppositories, one suppository nightly after rinsing, for 10–14 days, or Daktarin suppositories, one suppository nightly after rinsing, for 7 days, are both options.
(4) Topical creams: Applying clotrimazole cream or Daktarin cream externally can treat vulvitis caused by Candida infection and alleviate itching and pain. Apply externally several times daily for 2 weeks. Efuqing cream, which contains econazole as the main ingredient with a small amount of topical steroid, has a good anti-itch effect and is particularly suitable for those with severe vulvar itching and pain due to Candida vulvovaginitis. Apply externally twice daily.
(5) Oral medication: Since Candida infection can be transmitted between partners through sexual activity, oral medication can be used to treat both individuals. Oral medications can also inhibit intestinal Candida. Fluconazole oral: 150 mg once daily. Or Sporanox oral: For first-time Candida vaginitis infection, take 200 mg once in the morning and evening for 1 day; for recurrent candidiasis, increase the dose to 200 mg once daily for 3 days, or 100 mg twice daily for 3 days. All medications should be taken after meals.
(6) Herbal treatment: Boiling herbs with detoxifying, insecticidal, and anti-itch properties and using the solution to steam-wash the external genitalia can alleviate symptoms and inhibit or eliminate Candida. Due to the significant reduction in itching and burning symptoms after steam-washing, this method is more suitable for women with acute candidiasis, reducing their discomfort. Additionally, herbs can be made into powders or suppositories for vaginal medication.
Prescription ①:
- Baitianpi 30g
- Huangbai 30g
- Kusen 30g
- Shechongzi 30g
- Bingpi 3g
Wrap the herbs in white cloth, boil to extract 2000 mL of liquid, and steam-wash the external genitalia while the liquid is hot. After the liquid cools slightly, sit in the bath for 20 minutes, once or twice daily. Before steam-washing, remove the herb package and let it dry for reuse once. A 7-day course of treatment is recommended. After bathing, insert one clotrimazole or Daktarin suppository into the vagina and apply the aforementioned cream to the external genitalia.
Prescription ② (from Selected Practical Dermatological and Venereal Recipes):
- Dingxiang 12g
- Huoxiang 30g
- Huanglian 15g
- Dahuang 30g
- Longdancao 20g
- Kusuan 15g
- Bohe 15g
- Bingpi 1g
This formula has detoxifying, drying, insecticidal, and anti-itch effects, with strong inhibitory and killing action against Candida albicans, other superficial skin fungi, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Usage: Boil one dose daily and use it to steam-wash or soak the external genitalia 1–2 times, each for 30 minutes. It can also be made into an external wash solution and cream for external use. Married women can also rinse the vagina once daily with the solution. A 12-day course of treatment is recommended.
Prescription ③ (from Latest Therapies for Venereal Diseases):
- Kusen 30g
- Shechongzi 30g
- Longdancao 20g
- Shengbaidu 15g
- Tujinpi 15g
- Huangbai 15g
- Difuzi 15g
Add 2000–3000 mL of water, boil for 30–40 minutes, strain, and use for steam-washing or bathing. Do once nightly for 20–30 minutes.
Prescription ④ (from Selected Practical Dermatological and Venereal Recipes):
- Kusen 30g
- Shechongzi 30g
- Huanglian 30g
- Huangbai 30g
- Chuanjiao 10g
- Kusuan 10g
- Bingpi 3g
Grind into a fine powder, sterilize, and reserve. Before use, rinse the external genitalia and vagina with 3% soda water, then apply an appropriate amount of the powder to the vagina and external genitalia once or twice daily. A 5-day course of treatment is recommended.
After treating with the above methods, patients' clinical symptoms will improve quickly. However, this does not guarantee that candidiasis has been fully cured. Patients should complete the treatment course and return to the hospital for follow-up symptom checks, gynecological examinations, and vaginal secretion tests. If all results are normal, it indicates recent cure. Monthly postmenstrual follow-ups of the same tests should be conducted for 3 consecutive months. If all results remain negative, the condition is considered fully cured.