Boric Acid for Yeast Infection: Use, Side Effects, Risks, and More
Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories: What's Behind This New TikTok Trend
Boric acid is a dangerous poison that can burn through your esophagus, stomach, and intestines. ... [+] (Photo: Getty)
gettyJust because something can go into your vagina doesn't mean that it can go into your mouth. Ari Kytsya, who goes by the handle @notburnttoasthehe on TikTok, had a oral warning about boric acid vaginal suppositories in the following TikTok video:
Yes, that's boric acid vaginal suppositories with an emphasis on the word "vaginal." Actually, the emphasis should be on the words "boric acid" too as you'll see soon. And maybe the word "suppositories" as well. OK, the emphasis should probably be on all of four of those words.
The video started with Kytsya saying, "Let me tell you a story about when I first started taking boric acid." The video then flipped to her providing quite a mouthful: "So I was going to a shoot, and I took one. And my friend was like, 'Did you just swallow that?' And I was like 'Yeah, why?'"
Apparently, her friend then explained to her that a boric acid vaginal suppository is supposed to go into one's vagina and not one's mouth. If you were look at the packaging for any suppository, typically it won't say, "Insert into any opening" or "Place wherever you can." Instead, the packaging should specify whether the suppository should only go into one of three body locations: your vagina, rectum, or urethra, with these three routes typically not being interchangeable. After many times have you heard someone say, "It can go in the vagina or the rectum—it really doesn't matter?"
Kytsya continued with, "I had been swallowing boric acid for four days. So I called my sister cause she works in the medical whatever. And she was like, 'Those are actually poison.' So I had to call Poison Control."
Yeah, many real medical whatevers will tell you that boric acid is not like fish and chips. Instead, it's a dangerous poison. A boric acid vaginal suppository consists of boric acid mixed with a solid material, such as cocoa butter or glycerin, that can melt at body temperature. Once you insert the suppository into the intended body opening, the solid material begins dissolving, releasing the boric acid into the surrounding area.
The problem here is that you really have to be careful about where boric acid may go. Boric acid is a caustic chemical, meaning that it can burn through tissue rather than say very hurtful things to you. It's a component of some powdered roach-killing products. And "roach-killing" and "your mouth" are two things that typically should not go together.
One can also find boric acid in other types of rodent and insect pesticides, antiseptics, astringents, enamels, glazes, and photography chemicals. All of these should be on your "Do not eat" list. Some medicated powders, skin lotions, and eye wash products do contain boric acid as well. But in all such cases, the packaging should say, "Do not swallow."
Kytsya didn't just throw her hands up after hearing about boric acid. She had to throw up other things too, as she related in the video, "So I had to instantly make myself throw up. And I was terrified, but I ended up being fine. But a tip for everyone: don't swallow what you are supposed to put inside of you."
That's a good tip. Again, any time you see the word suppository or anything that looks like a rounded or con-shaped suppository, do not think mouth. If you are at what you believe to be a restaurant and see the word "suppository" on the menu, you may want to ask for some clarification and make sure that Yelp didn't guide you to a clinic instead. And under no circumstances should you swallow boric acid. It can cause significant damage to your esophagus, stomach, and intestines even for weeks after you've swallowed the stuff. This can result in holes in those portions of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. And your GI tract is not like a pickleball. You don't want holes in those portions. Such holes can serve an entry points for microbes to cause bad and even life-threatening infections in your chest and abdomen. As you can imagine, boric acid poisoning can lead to death, which, by the way, is not good.
Unfortunately, there is no magical antidote to boric acid poisoning. Instead, treatment involves managing the symptoms and complications. If you swallow boric acid, you may start having diarrhea and vomiting up blue-green stuff. You can also develop various skin issues such as bright red rashes, blisters, and the sloughing of skin. You may experience fevers, headaches, weakness, low blood pressure, restlessness, changes in urination, and twitching of facial muscles, arms, hands, legs, or feet. You may even suffer seizures or fall into a coma. Depending on where the boric acid went and what damage is caused, surgery may be necessary to remove burned skin or fix damage to the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.
Even though various people on TikTok have been promoting the use of boric acid suppositories for vaginal yeast or bacterial infections, it's better instead to get the direct guidance of a real medical doctor before trying this remedy. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai does emphasize that boric acid "is NOT a standard treatment" for vaginal yeast infections. While boric acid can adjust the acidity levels in your vagina, which, in turn, could possibly help deal with yeast infections and the resulting symptoms in that location such as itching and burning, it may not necessarily be effective, especially if the infections occur over and over again. Moreover, there are a number of situations where you really shouldn't be using boric acid suppositories such as when you have are pregnant, breast feeding, or allergic to boric acid or have diabetes, immune systems issues, or frequent infections.
Plus, boric acid suppositories can turn sex into a real burning love experience in a bad way. The acid can burn through condoms and diaphragms. And as you can imagine that can lead to a hole-ly bleep situation. Boric acid can also decrease the effectiveness of vaginal spermicides. So if you are using boric acid vaginal suppositories for some reason, it's better to hold off on sex.
All of this shows the importance of knowing the route of administration when using any type of medication. Check the medication packaging carefully. Look for phrases like "Do not swallow" or "Do not put in mouth." Make sure you know where specifically you can and can't place the medication. Not everything that can go into your vagina or rectum should go into your mouth and vice-versa. After all, when you get served some broccoli in a restaurant, you wouldn't just put that broccoli anywhere, would you?
Can You Use Boric Acid For Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?
Boric acid vaginal suppositories are considered safe and sometimes used to treat recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV) when combined with antibiotics. Though you could use boric acid for BV, you shouldn't do so without talking to a healthcare provider first. Read on to learn more.
Boric acid is a white powder derived from the element boron. It has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. You can find boric acid as an ingredient in household cleaners and insecticides—or as a pest killer or laundry stain-remover. Boric acid is also available as an OTC suppository for balancing vaginal pH, bacteria, and yeasts when inserted into the vagina. Some boric acid suppositories also claim to control vaginal odor and contain additional ingredients like aloe and tea tree oil. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve these products. OTC boric acid suppositories are sold as homeopathic products, meaning the FDA has not evaluated their safety and effectiveness. peakSTOCK/Getty Images BV can be frustrating if you have recurrent infections after antibiotic treatment. Studies show that using boric acid suppositories with antibiotics as a complementary or preventive treatment can help treat some recurrent BV infections. Research on how effective boric acid is in treating BV is still limited. Additionally, using boric acid suppositories alone probably won't cure your infection. One review found that combining antibiotic treatment and 300- to 600-milligram (mg) boric acid suppositories twice a week helped treat recurrent BV and yeast infections. Using boric acid suppositories alone was ineffective. The exact way boric acid works to help treat BV also isn't fully understood. One theory is that it can help eliminate bacteria that cause the infection. Antibiotics in cream, gel, or pill form are still the most effective BV treatment since they kill the infection. Common effective antibiotics for BV treatment are clindamycin or metronidazole. These antibiotics can be safely used to treat pregnant individuals with BV. For most people, inserting boric acid suppositories into the vagina is safe. You should not use boric acid suppositories if treating BV while pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Boric acid is harmful if taken orally. Ingesting 30 grams (g) of boric acid is considered toxic—less than the typical 600mg used in boric acid suppositories. There is no evidence that boric acid suppositories can be poisonous when used vaginally. Possible side effects from boric acid vaginal suppositories include mild vaginal irritation or watery discharge. Still, always chat with a healthcare provider to make sure it's safe for you to use a boric acid suppository to help treat your BV. If a healthcare provider says you can use boric acid, you can find OTC boric acid suppositories at your local pharmacy or drugstore. Most boric acid suppositories come in 600-milligram doses that you insert once daily for one to two weeks. A healthcare provider may also suggest a different treatment plan based on your case. To use boric acid if you have BV: Wash and dry your hands before inserting a boric acid vaginal suppository. With clean, dry fingers—or a provided disposable applicator—insert one capsule into your vagina as far up as comfortable. It can be helpful to lie down with your knees bent or slightly squatting Then throw out your applicator if you used one and rewash your hands. Some folks also like to wear a pad or panty liner to help collect any discharge from the suppository. You will also want to avoid having sex while using boric acid suppositories and treating BV. Even though BV is the most common vaginal infection, the exact cause isn't understood beyond bacteria overgrowth. Douching or having new or multiple partners may increase your risk of BV since these activities can disrupt vaginal bacteria. If you're prone to BV, the following may help prevent infections: Avoiding douches and scented vaginal products Using condoms and dental dams Wearing cotton underwear See a healthcare provider if you have BV and start treatment immediately. BV symptoms to look for may include: A strong fishy odor Burning Itching Unusual white or gray discharge You'll also want to see a healthcare provider if your BV symptoms don't improve or you experience pelvic pain or a fever. Not treating BV can increase your risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having BV while pregnant can cause premature birth and low-birth weight. While BV is not considered an STI, if your partner has a vagina, they may be at risk of BV. They should also visit a healthcare provider to get tested for BV and receive treatment if they have it. Antibiotics are usually the first line of treatment for BV. However, there may be a role for boric acid suppositories, a homeopathic product intended for vaginal use. While the research on boric acid for BV is limited, boric acid suppositories may be part of a treatment plan for repeated infections. While considered generally safe, these capsules can cause mild skin irritation and be fatal if consumed orally. Pregnant people and those trying to get pregnant should not use boric acid suppositories. Talk to a healthcare provider before using boric acid suppositories for BV.What Causes Burning In The Vagina?
1. Irritation
Certain things can irritate the skin of the vagina when they come into direct contact with it. This is known as contact dermatitis.
Irritants that can cause contact dermatitis include soaps, fabrics, and perfumes. As well as burning, other signs and symptoms include:
The main treatment for irritation is to avoid whatever is causing it. Avoiding the irritant and not itching the area allow the skin to heal. Sometimes, a person may require medication.
2. Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that occurs when there is too much of a certain type of bacteria in the vagina, affecting the normal balance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BV is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15–44.
One symptom of BV is a burning sensation in the vagina, which can also occur when urinating.
BV does not always cause symptoms. When it does, symptoms can include:
Having BV can increase a person's risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If someone develops symptoms of BV, they should be checked and treated by a doctor. Treatment for this condition will often involve a course of antibiotics.
3. Yeast infection
An infection in the vagina caused by yeast can lead to a burning sensation. The medical term for this is candidiasis, and it is also known as thrush.
Associated symptoms include:
Many women get yeast infections, but some women are more likely to develop an infection if they:
Treatment is usually an antifungal medicine, which a woman can either apply directly in the form of a cream or take orally as a capsule.
4. Urinary tract infection
Different parts of the urinary tract can become infected, including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys.
A woman with a urinary tract infection (UTI) will likely feel burning in the vagina when urinating. Other symptoms of a UTI include:
Doctors will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections. In general, an infection will clear up in around 5 days after starting a course of antibiotics.
Repeat prescriptions may be required if an infection returns.
5. Trichomoniasis
Also known as trich, this is a very common STD in the United States. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite that is passed from one person to another during sexual intercourse.
Only around 30 percent of people with trich show any symptoms. As well as a burning sensation in the vagina, these symptoms may include:
Trichomoniasis is treated using metronidazole or tinidazole, which are pills taken by mouth.
6. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is an infection where bacteria called Neisseria gonorrheae infect mucous membranes, such as the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. It is typically transmitted through sexual contact with someone who has the infection.
This STD is particularly common in people aged 15 to 24. Women can experience vaginal burning when urinating, as well as these symptoms:
Gonorrhea can be cured with the right medical treatment.
7. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and is typically transmitted through sexual contact with someone who has the infection.
Research suggests that at least 70 percent of people with chlamydia experience no symptoms, which is why the condition is sometimes known as a "silent" infection.
When symptoms do occur, they can include a burning sensation in the vagina, as well as:
Chlamydia is treated using antibiotics. The most commonly prescribed is doxycycline.
8. Genital herpes
Genital herpes is caused by skin-to-skin contact with a person with the herpes virus. It is estimated that around 1 in 6 people in the U.S. Aged 14 to 49 have genital herpes, and women are more prone to infection than men.
Once a person has the virus, it stays with them for life. However, they may not develop any signs or symptoms until the virus becomes active.
If the virus becomes active, they might experience a burning sensation in the vagina. Other symptoms include:
Painful sores, blisters, or ulcers may also develop after a few days.
The symptoms of genital herpes can be treated with antiviral medication but never cured.
9. Menopause
The shifting levels of hormones in a woman's body before she enters menopause can affect the vagina. Vaginal burning is one possible result of these changes, especially during sex.
Other common symptoms of menopause transition include:
Not all women entering menopause have treatment to relieve symptoms, but there are often options available that a doctor can outline, including hormone therapy.
10. Genital contact allergies
The immune systems in some women can become hypersensitive to certain substances.
These substances can cause allergic irritation when they come into contact with the vagina, including:
Treatment mainly involves avoiding the substance that is causing the irritation. Patch testing using the suspected allergen to stimulate a controlled reaction in a clinical setting can help to identify which substance is creating the burning sensation.
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