Your health care provider may ask you to stop sexual activity for a time. Your provider may also ask that your partner be treated to prevent reinfection or spread of the infection. Vaginitis caused by irritants can usually be treated by stopping exposure to the irritant. Some irritations are treated with steroid or hormone creams. The symptoms usually start to decrease after a day of treatment.
Infections clear up in about a week.
It is very important that you take all of your prescribed medication, even if your symptoms are gone. This will help to prevent recurrence. If you stop taking your medication after the symptoms are relieved but before the scheduled end of treatment, the infection or irritation may come back. Use water that is warm but not hot. Rinse the genital area thoroughly but gently.