Yeast Infections

[nuthatch]

Resurrecting this thread because I'm about to throw out a pair of PI shorts that I KNOW are starting the yeast infections. I don't wear them very often so I can pinpoint the infections to wearing them. I get that familiar feeling only after I've been wearing them on a good long ride or training session.

Should I just pitch them or is there some method of eliminating the fungus from the chamois? I think I've asked this question here before and it seems like the heat of an iron or bleach were the only sure killers of Candida.

Has anyone successfully eliminated yeast from their bike shorts with, say, a vinegar soak or something that won't ruin the chamois or fabric? Or should I just slather them with Monostat every time I wear them?

[anakiwa]

Resurrecting this thread because I'm about to throw out a pair of PI shorts that I KNOW are starting the yeast infections. I don't wear them very often so I can pinpoint the infections to wearing them. I get that familiar feeling only after I've been wearing them on a good long ride or training session.

Should I just pitch them or is there some method of eliminating the fungus from the chamois? I think I've asked this question here before and it seems like the heat of an iron or bleach were the only sure killers of Candida.

Has anyone successfully eliminated yeast from their bike shorts with, say, a vinegar soak or something that won't ruin the chamois or fabric? Or should I just slather them with Monostat every time I wear them?

I'm not so sure the problem is that the shorts are infected (it seems like a good machine washing with soap would largely take care of the problem). Are you sure it's not somthing else about the shorts- perhaps the fit is tighter, or they breathe less well than other shorts- or the chamois is more absorbant- that causes them to make for better breeding conditions for the yeast?

[nuthatch]

I'm not so sure the problem is that the shorts are infected (it seems like a good machine washing with soap would largely take care of the problem). Are you sure it's not somthing else about the shorts- perhaps the fit is tighter, or they breathe less well than other shorts- or the chamois is more absorbant- that causes them to make for better breeding conditions for the yeast?

The chamois is thick and I think that's what started the whole thing, but I understand that the candida yeast can live in clothing kind of suspended until the right circumstances let it grow.

Some people advocate killing it by ironing your panties, if they are cotton, or you will keep reinfecting yourself. That's why I'm so suspicious that the shorts are to blame. I can be yeast-free for weeks, then wear those shorts for a few hours and the next day - pow!

[Dianyla]

Some people advocate killing it by ironing your panties, if they are cotton, or you will keep reinfecting yourself. That's why I'm so suspicious that the shorts are to blame. I can be yeast-free for weeks, then wear those shorts for a few hours and the next day - pow!

I kinda don't buy the concept of "reinfecting yourself". The candida albicans microorganism is present in and on our bodies all of the time. There is no way to fully eradicate it, it is always around. The key is making sure that your friendly flora have the upper hand and don't get outcompeted by the candida. I do agree with the previous poster that said maybe these shorts simply don't breathe as well and that could be tipping the balance.

Or, here's another theory... just like antibiotics and antimicrobial soap can kill your good flora and let yeast get the upper hand, is it possible that this PI chamois contains an antibacterial/antimicrobial agent? I've seen this advertised as a feature on certain shorts and garments. They claim it's to maintain freshness, but I find that most things like this end up causing me more trouble in the end.

Another possibility is that you are getting a type of allergic reaction to the material in the shorts or chamois and this is causing something like contact dermatitis which could certainly precipitate a yeast infection.

[nuthatch]

Well, it sure sounds like the best course would be to throw the shorts out. Whatever promotes the yeast seems to be particular to them, so out they go!

[SouthernBelle]

I have been wondering, since I am prone to YI, if there is such a thing as a fungicidal soap that would be useful. I have googled it in the past, but what I came up with would only be useful if I were a rosebush.


ALSO, I have read that after a ride a heat rash may be mistaken for yeast, which makes sense. Hot, itchy...

[Dianyla]

I have been wondering, since I am prone to YI, if there is such a thing as a fungicidal soap that would be useful. I have googled it in the past, but what I came up with would only be useful if I were a rosebush.

I often use a fungicidal cream (generic miconazole) anytime I'm feeling a little borderline. It makes a pretty good chamois cream, actually.

In general, I'd just avoid any/all soaps. Soaps are usually alkaline and these raises your vag pH, which favors the yeast. Stay nice and acidic by rinsing with plain water and doing acidic rinses as necessary.