Using baking soda baths for yeast infection has been recommended on many online forums. The question however is does it really work?
Well, in this article I seek to tackle this issue head-on. I will examine how to use the baking soda bath for vaginal itching, urinary tract infections, and bacterial vaginosis (BV).
What is a Baking Soda Bath?
A baking soda bath refers to one of the best revitalizing methods you can use to detox, cleanse, and rejuvenate your skin.
Ordinarily, this powder is a common kitchen product you use to keep your refrigerator fresh and for baking. Besides, it is your household’s natural health product that is very affordable and valuable.
Popularly or scientifically known as sodium bicarbonate, adding baking soda to your bath water can help to make your skin feel clean, smooth, and soft without leaving your bathtub with a residue.
Moreover, most people like using this powder in a bath because, unlike bath oils, it does not increase the risk of injuries caused by falls related to slippery floors.
Baking soda further provides users with important detoxifying effects. Given its alkaline content or ingredient, this organic, nutritious healing powder is known to help in treating common health problems like smelly feet, bug bites, and hemorrhoids.
It’s also a good remedy for issues related to dry scalp, rashes, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and yeast infections among others.
The Alkalinity in this product plays an integral role in dealing with degeneration and inflammation caused by acidic bodies that ultimately lead to a hostile environment.
Some foods you consume each day are very acidic, including processed and fried foods that depict the Standard American Diet.
To reverse or effectively manage the acidic environment and enhance your health, you need to create an alkaline environment to limit acidity and as a result, reduce its adverse effects.
That’s because baking soda has purifying properties needed to neutralize your skin’s acidic environment and thus, help in its regeneration and healing.
Baking Soda Bath for Yeast Infection
As said before, you can use a baking soda bath to treat the yeast infection, normally caused by a fungus called Candida that lives on your skin, particularly in your genitals, intestinal tract, throat, and mouth.
Abnormal multiplication of this yeast leads to yeast infection.
Yeast infection in your vagina is called vaginitis. You can know if you have this problem if the inner thigh area and the exterior part of your vagina become itchy and also appear reddish.
The infections can also be triggered by certain body conditions, including the use of some medical drugs, stomach upset, stress, and illness.
Although most women suffering from Candidiasis use over-the-counter drugs to remedy the condition and its symptoms, this kind of yeast infection can safely be treated using natural home remedies.
One of the best organic solutions to such issues is the use of baking soda.
Do you know why? Well, it’s because the soda is rich in important properties that make it beneficial to yeast-infected skin in the following ways:
- It helps to balance your body’s pH levels
- It’s naturally alkaline and for that reason, helps to temporarily change the acidic condition in the vagina to higher alkaline, an environment that makes it hard for the survival of the fungus called Candida.
- It is a great anti-fungal agent known to kill and dehydrate yeast or fungus.
- The use of a baking soda bath prevents further multiplication of microorganisms on your body and thus, the powder helps to keep your skin dry and clean.
- Baking soda sucks water content and enzymes from fungus and as a result, it helps to dehydrate the microorganism.
Baking Soda Bath for Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
You can treat Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) with a baking soda bath. BV develops in the intimate area of a woman as an infection due to imbalances in the protection agents such as bacterial flora.
It is a condition that can cause discomfort to people with it. That is because the infection from these harmful bacteria leads to more presence of a yellow discharge leading to a strong fishy odor.
It is a symptom that can be very bothersome since it comes with itching of the vagina’s external area and a burning sensation when urinating.
Although not a grave disorder, you need immediate treatment to manage it before it develops into a major issue and also to avoid insecure feelings.
BV is managed efficiently if you use natural remedies to handle it to help enhance the healing process and prevent side effects.
Baking Soda Bath Sitz Bath for BV
Sitz Bath with baking soda is the best way you can treat BV. The fishy odor caused by BV in your vaginal discharge is a result of the bacteria’s anaerobic respiration that supersedes the stink produced by your normal vaginal bacteria.
The scent in your vagina gets worse if there is anything that leads to a pH increase. The odor is made stronger by alkaline substances like menstrual blood or semen. Having a baking soda sitz bath helps to maintain the body’s pH levels.
Consequently, it can assist in the reduction in the levels of pH of your vagina and thus, limit the irritation and odor that comes with BV infection. To completely get rid of the bad odor, you must cure the infection using this bath.
Don’t even think of using masks or feminine sprays or douching to mask or eliminate the odor from your vaginal discharge because doing so can worsen the condition. Such measures can irritate the lining in your vagina leading to an itchy and painful condition.
Apple Cider Vinegar
You control bacteria growth and the levels of pH in your vagina, the primary agents that cause BV infection using the natural acids in apple cider vinegar.
It has both antifungal and antibacterial properties that play an integral role in reducing the adverse effects of the infection, and directly inhibiting and controlling the reproduction and growth of dangerous microorganisms.
As a result, the vinegar helps to refresh the effect which leads to soothing the irritation and itching that accompany the infection in your intimate external area.
But how can you use this vinegar? Well, here are the brief instructions:
- In your bathtub, add one cup of natural apple cider vinegar and soak the affected area in the mixture for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Repeat this process at least two times daily until the condition is completely cleared.
Baking Soda Bath for Diaper Rash in Babies
The baby rash caused by diapers can be treated using a baking soda bath. Diaper rash in babies mostly occurs in the first six months.
Their bottom somehow becomes reddened as their gentle skin acclimatizes with irritating stools and urine. Friction due to the diaper can further aggravate the skin condition.
Infant diaper rash is usually caused by loose stools excreted by babies because of a change in diet, antibiotics, or excess teething saliva. The condition can be minimized through the following steps:
- According to the suggestion by Dr William Sears, what you simply need to do is use water and if necessary, a mild soap to wash the diaper area after every change.
- Never use alcoholic baby wipes until the rash is fully cleared. In a baking soda bath, dip the baby’s bottom after washing.
- For cases of a bad rash, mix the water with one cup of baking soda to neutralize the acid in the urine and stools.
Baking Soda Bath Side Effects
Although you can generally tolerate the intake of baking soda or sodium bicarbonate if consumed in high doses can lead to certain side effects.
Studies indicate that this organic household healing powder can cause irritability and nausea if excessively used and any persistence in such symptoms requires medical advice.
Despite there being limited reports regarding the dangers of baking soda, these are some of the main documented cases of its side effects:
- Causes edema because of overloaded sodium
- This leads to metabolic alkalosis
- Contributes to congestive heart failure
- Causes hypertension due to an increased level of sodium
- Associated with the development of hypervolemic hypernatremia
- Believed to trigger a condition known as a hyperosmolar syndrome.
Other Ways to Use Baking Soda for UTIs
These are some of the other ways you can treat urinary tract infections using baking soda.
Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar
A mixture of 2 tablespoons of natural apple cider vinegar (ACV) with a half teaspoonful of baking soda creates an alkaline environment in your body.
To make this concoction, use a tall glass to fizz and foam the blend. Let the combination stay for a few minutes until all bubbling stops. Add in a mixture of 8 oz. of water and swallow all the content at once.
Baking Soda Douche
To get the sodium bicarbonate or baking Soda Douche that is known to help you get rid of the yeast cells in your body, all you need to do is to mix 4 cups of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
The blend is then stirred well to create a douche used to wash or treat the affected vaginal area.
Baking Soda and Lemon Juice to Kill Yeast Cells
You can kill yeast cells using a combination of baking soda and lemon juice. This is an alternative way you can deal with the incredible increase in the rate of cancer today.
Research by Dr Marty Pagel from the University Of Arizona Cancer Center and other scholars shows that baking soda can be used to effectively create an alkaline environment in areas affected by yeast infection.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Research by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) established that the use of hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda can help you make your tainted teeth whiter.
Consequently, you end up creating simple toothpaste you need to have a brighter smile.
Baking Soda and Tea Tree Oil
A combination of baking soda and tea tree oil makes a good face mask. It creates the toothpaste you need as an oil-zapping face mask.
The baking powder is known to be an organic exfoliate you need for soothing acne as well as the excess production of oil glands.
