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, it is recommended that the husband 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 genital hygiene, avoiding scratching. Abstain from sexual activity during treatment. Avoid spicy and irritating foods.
(2) Changing vaginal pH: The optimal pH for Candida growth is 5.5. Therefore, 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, which helps inhibit the growth of Candida.
(3) Vaginal medication: Using imidazole suppositories for vaginal medication is highly effective for candidiasis. Clotrimazole suppositories, one per night, are inserted into the vagina after rinsing, with a 10–14-day course of treatment; or Daktar suppositories, one per night, are applied to the vagina after rinsing, with a 7-day course of treatment.
(4) External ointments: Applying clotrimazole ointment or Daktar ointment externally can treat vulvitis caused by Candida infection and alleviate symptoms of itching and pain. Apply externally several times daily for 2 weeks. Efuqing ointment, 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 itching and pain from Candida vulvitis or vaginal candidiasis. Apply to the external genitalia once in the morning and once in the evening.
(5) Oral medication: Since Candida infection can be transmitted between partners through sexual activity, oral medication can be used to treat both individuals. Oral medication can also inhibit intestinal Candida. Fluconazole oral: 150 mg once daily. Or Sporanox oral: For first-time vaginal candidiasis infection, take 200 mg once in the morning and evening for 1 day; for recurrent candidiasis, increase the dose of Sporanox, taking 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 decoction to steam or rinse the external genitalia can alleviate symptoms while inhibiting and killing Candida. Due to the significant reduction in itching and burning symptoms after steaming or rinsing, 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:
- 30g of bai xian pi
- 30g of huang bo
- 30g of ku shen
- 30g of she chong zi
- 3g of bing pian
Pack the herbs in white cloth, boil to extract 2,000 ml of liquid. Steam the external genitalia while the liquid is hot, then sit in the bath for 20 minutes after the liquid cools slightly. Do this 1–2 times daily. Before steaming, remove the herb pack and let it dry for reuse once. A 7-day course of treatment is recommended. After bathing, insert one clotrimazole suppository or Daktar suppository into the vagina and apply the ointment to the external genitalia.
Prescription ② (from Selected Practical Formulas for Dermatological and Venereal Diseases):
- 12g of ding xiang
- 30g of xiao xiang
- 15g of huang lian
- 30g of da huang
- 20g of long dan cao
- 15g of ku fan
- 15g of bo he
- 1g of bing pian
This formula has a cooling, drying, anti-insect, and anti-itch effect, strongly inhibiting and killing Candida albicans and other superficial skin fungi, as well as Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Usage: Boil one dose daily and use it to steam or bathe the external genitalia 1–2 times, each for 30 minutes. It can also be made into an external rinse solution or topical cream for use. Married women can also rinse the vagina once daily with the liquid. A 12-day course of treatment is recommended.
Prescription ③ (from Latest Therapies for Venereal Diseases):
- 30g of ku shen
- 30g of she chong zi
- 20g of long dan cao
- 15g of sheng bai bu
- 15g of tu jin pi
- 15g of huang bo
- 15g of di fu zi
Boil with 2,000–3,000 ml of water for 30–40 minutes, strain, and use for steaming or bathing. Do this once nightly for 20–30 minutes.
Prescription ④ (from Selected Practical Formulas for Dermatological and Venereal Diseases):
- 30g of ku shen
- 30g of she chong zi
- 30g of huang lian
- 30g of huang bo
- 10g of chuan jiao
- 10g of ku fan
- 3g of bing pian
Grind into a fine powder and sterilize. Before use, rinse the external genitalia and vagina with 3% baking soda solution, then apply an appropriate amount of the powder to the vagina and external genitalia 1–2 times 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 cured. Patients should complete the full course of treatment and return to the hospital for a follow-up examination of symptoms, gynecological examination, and vaginal discharge tests. If all results are normal, it indicates recent cure. Additionally, monthly postmenstrual follow-ups of the same tests should be conducted for 3 months. If all results remain negative, the condition is considered fully cured.