Bladder infections

Starting home treatment at the first minor signs of a bladder infection may prevent the problem from getting worse, clear up your infection, and prevent complications.

• Drink more fluids-enough to keep your urine light yellow or clear like water-as soon as you notice the symptoms and for the next 24 hours. This will help dilute the urine, flush bacteria out of the bladder, and decrease irritation. Note: If a medical condition such as a kidney or heart problem prevents you from drinking more fluids, make sure you are drinking your usual amount of fluids. Drinking cranberry juice may reduce the chances of having urinary tract infections.
• Urinate when you feel the urge. Don't wait until a more convenient time.
• Do not drink alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages, which can irritate the bladder.
• Take a warm bath, which may help relieve pain and itching.
  • Avoid using bubble bath, because it may cause additional irritation. If urinary pain or vaginal burning and redness occur in a young girl, consider the possibility of an allergy to bubble bath or soap.
  • Use gentle soaps, such as Basis, Cetaphil, Dove, or Oil of Olay. Avoid deodorant soaps. Use as little soap as possible.
• Apply a heating pad over your genital area to help relieve the pain. Set the heating pad temperature on low. Never go to sleep with a heating pad in place.
• Examine your genital area. Increased redness may indicate skin irritation.
• Wear loose clothing and soft cotton underwear. Do not use soaps, perfumes, or feminine hygiene sprays on the genital area.
• Avoid intercourse until symptoms improve. Do not use a diaphragm or spermicidal cream, foam, or gel. A diaphragm may put pressure on your urethra. This pressure may slow down or prevent your bladder from emptying completely. Spermicides can cause genital skin irritation.

Recurrent bladder infections in women

If you have frequent bladder infections without complications, you and your health professional may develop a self-treatment plan. The plan usually includes taking antibiotics at the first sign of a bladder infection. Contacting your health professional is not necessary. For more information, see the topic Urinary Tract Infections in Teens and Adults.

If you are certain that your symptoms are caused by a bladder infection, follow your health professional's instructions for taking the medicine and monitoring your symptoms. Keep a diary of the number of times you use your self-treatment plan. Call your health professional if:

• Your symptoms do not improve after 48 hours of treatment.
• You start having bladder infections more often than in the past.

Your self-treatment plan is developed for your health needs. Do not take antibiotics that have not been specifically prescribed for this bladder infection. Do not take antibiotics left over from a previous prescription or antibiotics prescribed for someone else.

Urinary incontinence