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Dr. Mark Hosko, MD, November 1 2024

Can I go to Urgent Care for a Yeast Infection?

Yeast infections can be an uncomfortable, disruptive nuisance that interferes sometimes during a woman’s life.  While they aren’t usually serious, they cause irritation, making it important to know how to prevent them and manage them properly when they occur. Visiting an urgent care for a yeast infection can be faster, easier, and more convenient than waiting for an appointment with your primary care doctor or gynecologist. 

Understanding Yeast Infections and Their Symptoms

A yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida, in warm, moist areas of the body. Most yeast infections affect the vaginal area but can happen in other parts of the body, like the mouth, throat, skin folds, or under the nails.

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include:

Pain and discomfort in severe cases

Yeast infections typically aren’t serious but can cause significant discomfort. They can be triggered by antibiotic use, pregnancy, diabetes, a weakened immune system, or hormonal imbalances. If you experience persistent or recurring symptoms, it's important to consider visiting Portland Urgent Care for yeast infection diagnosis and treatment.

When to Seek Urgent Care for a Yeast Infection

While most yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications, there are situations when you should seek urgent care. For a yeast infection, visit an urgent care center if:

Urgent care can provide a proper diagnosis, prescription-strength treatments, and advice on how to prevent future infections.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options at Urgent Care

At urgent care, diagnosing a yeast infection includes reviewing medical history review and a physical exam. In certain cases, a healthcare provider may take a vaginal discharge sample for laboratory testing to confirm the presence of Candida or to rule out other infections with similar symptoms.

Treatment options for yeast infections may include:

Urgent care centers offer fast and effective treatment for yeast infections, relieving discomfort.

Benefits of Visiting Urgent Care for Yeast Infections

Visiting urgent care for a yeast infection offers several advantages:

Quick and convenient access: Urgent care centers provide treatment without the long wait times at hospital emergency rooms or the long delays some primary care doctors have.

Prompt relief of symptoms: An urgent care can manage uncomfortable yeast infection symptoms right away with same-day diagnosis. 

Prescription-strength medication:  If over-the-counter treatments haven’t worked, urgent care providers can prescribe stronger antifungal medications.

Accurate diagnosis: Providers can confirm if it's a yeast infection or another type of infection, like a bacterial infection or sexually transmitted disease, to ensure you receive proper treatment.

Flexible hours: When your symptoms flare up outside of regular office hours, some urgent cares are open during evenings, weekends, and holidays, making it easier to be seen and treated. 

Portland Urgent Care offers solutions to receive fast, effective yeast infection treatment, minimize your discomfort, and allows you to return to daily activities quickly.

Preventing Future Yeast Infections

These tips from Portland Urgent Care may help you prevent future yeast infections:

Maintain good hygiene: Keep the vaginal area clean and dry. Avoid tight, non-breathable clothing that traps moisture, and change out of wet clothing, like swimsuits or workout gear, as soon as possible.

Wear breathable fabrics: Wear cotton underwear and avoid synthetic materials because they create a moist environment conducive to yeast growth.

Avoid douching or harsh products: Douching, feminine hygiene sprays, and scented soaps can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and may lead to infections.

Limit antibiotic use: Only take antibiotics when truly needed, because they kill off good bacteria that keep yeast in check.

Manage blood sugar levels: Diabetics should control blood sugar to reduce the risk of yeast infections.

Use probiotics: Including probiotics in your diet helps maintain a healthy balance of bacteria, reducing the chances of getting a yeast infection.

If you adopt these habits, you can minimize the risk of future yeast infections and maintain vaginal health.

Yeast Infection Treatment at Portland Urgent Care

If you do find yourself with a yeast infection or suspect you may have one, Portland Urgent Care is here to help. Schedule an appointment today!

Written by

Dr. Mark Hosko, MD

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