What Is Candidiasis?

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans, the most prevalent Candida species. These fungus may be found practically anywhere in the environment. Some bacteria may coexist peacefully with several “native” bacteria that commonly colonize the mouth, gastrointestinal system, and vagina.

Candida is normally kept in check by native bacteria and the body’s immunological defenses. If antibiotics alter the native bacteria mix, or if the bodily fluid that surrounds native bacteria changes in pH or chemistry, yeast can grow and create symptoms.

Candidiasis can affect various sections of the body, causing localized infections or more serious sickness depending on the individual and his or her overall health.

Candida infections can cause symptoms in healthy individuals. Yeast infections are usually limited to the mouth, vaginal area, or skin. However, persons who have a compromised immune system as a result of disease or medications such as corticosteroids or anticancer therapies are not only more susceptible to cutaneous infections, but they are also more likely to develop a more serious internal infection.

symptoms of Candida infection

The symptoms of Candida infection differ depending on which area of the body is infected. Thrush, yeast infection, digestive problems, and skin problems are the most typical symptoms of the most common types of Candida infection.

• Vaginal yeast infections.
• Symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include vaginal itch and/or soreness, a thick vaginal discharge with a texture similar to soft or cottage cheese, a burning discomfort around the vaginal opening, especially if urine comes into contact with the area, and pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.
• Thrush. it causes white curd-like areas in the mouth, usually on the tongue, palate, and lips. If you try to scrape off the whitish surface, you’ll usually end up with a red, irritated region that bleeds a little. At the corners of the mouth, there may be cracked, red, wet skin. Thrush patches can be uncomfortable at times, although they are usually not.
• Cutaneous candidiasis — Cutaneous candidiasis causes patches of red, moist, weepy skin, sometimes with small pustules nearby.
• Esophagitis. Candida esophagitis can make swallowing difficult or uncomfortable, as well as produce soreness behind the breastbone in the chest (sternum).
• Deep candidiasis — When Candida spreads to the bloodstream, it may cause a wide range of symptoms, from unexplained fever to shock and multiple organ failure.

Treatment and Prevention

Except in rare situations when it enters the bloodstream and spreads to key organs in patients with compromised immune systems, candidiasis is not generally a serious disease.

Your doctor can apply an antifungal cream or prescribe an antifungal pill if you have a fungal infection on your skin. Antifungal drugs delivered directly into the vaginal canal as tablets, creams, ointments, or suppositories, or by mouth (e.g., fluconazole*) are used to treat vaginal yeast infections. Many treatments for mild illnesses can be purchased without a prescription. Swishing an antifungal suspension in the mouth and swallowing it can help with oral thrush.

Antifungal medicine given orally for many days may be necessary in severe situations.

Complications of Candida Infection

In healthy people, complications with Candida of the mouth, vaginal, and gastrointestinal tract are uncommon after treatment. However, if you do not treat them, they may become worse.

You may be more vulnerable to complications if you have a health condition that weakens your immune system, such as:

• Yeast infections can cause vaginal soreness and cracking.
• Digestive Candida that causes “leaky gut syndrome,” which can cause breaks in the walls of the intestines
• Thrush that spreads to your esophagus or elsewhere
• Candidemia that leads to secondary infections of the eyes, bone, and heart

Here are some helpful hints for preventing vaginal candidiasis.

• don’t use soap around the vagina – soap kills the bacteria you want to keep, and has no effect on yeast
• avoid chemicals like scented tampons and especially vaginal douches, which serve no purpose and may cause infection
• After bathing, properly dry yourself, especially the pubic hair
• Underwear worn during your last infection should be sterilized or thrown away, if you want to keep them, you’ll have to boil them. Diaphragms and cervical caps must also be replaced.
• reduce your intake of sweets and alcohol (yeast’s preferred foods)