Can A Wet Bathing Suit Cause A Yeast Infection?

Itching and discomfort in the vaginal area can quickly turn a nice summer day into an unpleasant, uncomfortable experience. Anyone who has had a yeast infection will gladly look for ways to avoid getting another. You may be wondering, “Can a wet bathing suit cause a yeast infection?” In this article, we’ll talk about yeast infections and ways you might avoid them.

What Is a Yeast Infection?

Most people have at least some yeast, a type of fungus, living in harmony with other organisms, such as bacteria, as part of their skin flora. When this balance becomes disrupted, you may have a yeast infection. Yeast infections can affect many parts of your body, causing itching and irritation in skin folds, thrush in your mouth, or discharging and itching in the vaginal area.

Most yeast infections are caused by a type of yeast called candida. About 75% of women and people assigned female at birth will have a yeast infection at some point in their lifetimes, while more than half of them will get two or more. [1]

Symptoms of a Vaginal Yeast Infection

How do you know if you have a yeast infection? There are several signs and symptoms which may tip you off to the presence of a vaginal yeast infection. Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include [2]:

• Redness and swelling of the vulva or labia
• Rash in the vaginal area
• Itching or irritation of the vaginal area and vulva
• Pain or burning in the vaginal area, usually worse with urinating or intercourse
• Thick, white, cottage cheese appearing discharge
• Watery discharge
• Soreness of the vaginal area

A yeast infection is generally easy to treat, but there are certain conditions under which a yeast infection may be considered complicated. Complicated yeast infections usually require intervention by a healthcare provider. Conditions that make a yeast infection complicated include [2]:

• Pregnancy
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Weakening of the immune system due to certain medications or HIV infection
• Recurrent yeast infections, usually four or more a year
• Severe inflammation of the vaginal and vulvar area, causing cracking or sores in the skin
• An infection caused by an unusual type of fungus

Other Vaginal Infections

Other types of vaginal infections can cause similar symptoms to a yeast infection. Vaginal itching can be caused by a yeast infection but also by other conditions, such as bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of the normal bacteria that live in the vagina. [3] Just as an imbalance in the vaginal flora can cause a yeast infection, it can also cause a bacterial infection. Bacterial vaginosis usually causes an increase in vaginal discharge as well as a “fishy” odor. It may also cause itching and irritation.

Tinea cruris is another type of fungal infection that can cause infections in the vaginal area. Tinea cruris is also known as “jock itch.” [4] This infection is similar to ringworm. It causes a rash, sometimes shaped like a ring, in the groin creases and inner thighs. This type of infection is more common in people who sweat a lot or wear clothing that is tight in the groin area.

Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis can all cause vaginal discharge, itching, and irritation. Unlike some of the other types of infections we’ve discussed, sexually transmitted infections are passed from person to person through sexual contact. The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection can be reduced through condom use. [5]

While it’s not technically an infection, another cause of vaginal itching and irritation is a skin allergy or reaction. People who have sensitive skin are more prone to this type of condition. It can be caused by many different irritating products [6]:

• Scented feminine hygiene products
• Soaps, bubble baths, and other skin care products, especially scented
• Deodorants and perfumes
• Douches
• Talcum powder
• Synthetic underwear
• Laundry detergent and fabric softeners
• Toilet paper
• Spermicides
• Dyes
• Some medications

The Connection Between Bathing Suits and Vaginal Infections

Yeast thrives in moist environments, which is one reason that synthetic materials in underwear and bathing suits increase the risk of yeast infections. A wet bathing suit (or workout clothing) holds moisture against the skin and creates the perfect breathing ground for yeast to grow and thrive. [7]

Prioritizing Vaginal and Urinary Health While Swimming

If you’re swimming or even working out and sweating, it’s important to change out of wet clothing as soon as possible. Tight-fitting clothing also increases this risk. The best way to prioritize your vaginal health is to wear loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton. However, when swimming, loose-fitting clothing isn’t ideal, so when you get out of the water, prioritize getting the moisture away from your skin. [7]

Routine washing of your clothing and bathing suits is also important for preventing yeast infections and other irritating conditions of the genital region. If you’re on vacation or swimming regularly, you can consider bringing more than one suit to avoid re-wearing wet or dirty clothing. Sanitizing clothing between uses can help prevent the spread of superficial fungal infections. [8]

Other Ways To Prevent Yeast Infections

Aside from minimizing your time in wet clothing, there are other ways you can try to minimize your risk of developing a yeast infection. These include [9]:

• Keep your genital area clean and dry
• Avoid irritating soaps, sprays, and douching
• Avoid bubble baths
• Change tampons or sanitary napkins frequently
• Wear natural fibers such as cotton rather than synthetic materials such as nylon
• Only use antibiotics if they are prescribed by a healthcare provider, and take them as directed
• Control your chronic health conditions such as diabetes

How Is a Yeast Infection Diagnosed?

To diagnose a yeast infection, a healthcare provider will usually take a detailed history regarding your symptoms. They may also ask about your past medical and sexual history, including previous infections and risk factors for sexually transmitted infections. [2]

Your healthcare provider may also perform a pelvic exam to look for signs of inflammation and examine your discharge. They may take a sample of the vaginal discharge. Your healthcare provider can examine the discharge under a microscope to look for yeast. Under a microscope, your healthcare provider may also be able to detect bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.

If your healthcare provider is concerned that your symptoms could be related to some other infection, they may recommend urine testing or blood testing to check for other infections.

How Is a Yeast Infection Treated?

Yeast infections are generally easily treated with medication. There are over-the-counter options in addition to prescription options available.

Over-the-Counter Treatment Medications

There are several options for over-the-counter treatment of yeast infections. These include clotrimazole, miconazole, and terconazole. All of these are anti-fungal creams, ointments, or suppositories that you can apply topically as directed to try to treat the infection. [10] These medications typically work within a few days, so if you aren’t experiencing relief, you should seek a consultation with a healthcare provider to be evaluated for other causes of your symptoms or a more complicated type of yeast infection.

Prescription Medications

Prescription medications are also usually antifungal treatments. Clotrimazole, nystatin, ciclopirox, and fluconazole are frequently prescribed to treat yeast infections. Fluconazole is a tablet that may be taken only once to alleviate symptoms of a yeast infection. [11] In some cases, Candida albicans, as well as some of the other species of candida responsible for yeast infections, may become resistant to fluconazole and other azole antifungals. Like many anti-microbial-resistant infections, this is becoming an increasing concern. [12] If your healthcare provider suspects a resistant infection, they may choose other antifungal medications that are used less commonly for treating yeast infections.

Treatment of Recurrent Yeast Infections

If you’re having recurrent yeast infection symptoms, your sexual partner may also need treatment to prevent you from becoming reinfected. Your healthcare provider may also recommend using a longer course of treatment. [11] Alternatives to antifungal treatment may include the use of probiotic supplements or even boric acid suppositories to prevent or treat recurrent infections. [11,13] You should talk with your healthcare provider before starting any type of treatment program.

Take Control of Your Vaginal Health with Everlywell

Yeast infections can significantly disrupt your life. The itching, irritation, and pain with urination and intercourse can be distracting and inconvenient. Everlywell can help you take control of your symptoms and your vaginal health with our online yeast infection treatment options.

Everlywell is here to help support your vaginal health needs. If you are concerned about sexually transmitted infections and diseases, we offer STI and STD testing as well as guidance and treatment from a licensed healthcare professional.

If your symptoms are more suggestive of a urinary tract infection, we can help there, too. We offer evaluation and treatment of urinary tract infections. With Everlywell, we have the tools you need to take control of your vaginal and urinary health.

1. Vaginal yeast infection. Cleveland Clinic. Published September 2, 2022. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
2. Yeast infection (vaginal) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. Published January 11, 2023. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
3. Bacterial vaginosis. Cleveland Clinic. Published February 6, 2023. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
4. Jock itch - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. Published May 18, 2023. Accessed August 5, 2024.Medical Citation URL.
5. World Health Organization: WHO. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Published May 21, 2024. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
6. Vulvitis. Cleveland Clinic. Published June 21, 2022. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
7. Everything you need to know about yeast infection prevention. Published September 16, 2023. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
8. Gupta AK, Simkovich AJ, Hall DC. The March Against Onychomycosis: A Systematic Review of the Sanitization Methods for Shoes, Socks, and Textiles. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2022;112(4):21-223. Medical Citation URL.
9. Harvard Health. Vaginal yeast infection. Harvard Health. Published September 21, 2023. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
10. Yeast infection during pregnancy: Over-the-counter treatment OK? Mayo Clinic. Published January 14, 2023. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
11. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Learn More – Vaginal yeast infections (thrush): What can help? InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf. Published April 4, 2022. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
12. Whaley SG, Berkow EL, Rybak JM, Nishimoto AT, Barker KS, Rogers PD. Azole Antifungal Resistance in Candida albicans and Emerging Non-albicans Candida Species. Front Microbiol. 2017;7:2173. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
13. Iavazzo C, Gkegkes ID, Zarkada IM, Falagas ME. Boric acid for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: the clinical evidence. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2011;20(8):1245-1255. Accessed August 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.