Yeast Infection

Most people will develop a Yeast Infection (also referred to as candidiasis or thrush) at some point in their life. These types of infections are extremely common since the candida species of yeast is ever present in and on the human body.

Candida yeast is found in the mouth, digestive tract and vagina – and normally goes about its business unnoticed. However, under the right conditions, it can overgrow on mucous and moist areas of the skin (i.e. mouth, groin, armpits, underneath the breasts in women, and the skin folds around the stomach). Oral thrush, baby diaper rash and vaginitis are a few of the more common examples of candida yeast gone wild.

Signs and symptoms of a candida infection vary depending on the body location.

• Skin Folds (intertrigo)

  When an overgrowth of candida yeast occurs in the skin folds around the stomach, or under the breasts (women), the infection appears as a bright red rash, sometimes with the presence of small pustules. The rash will usually itch and/or burn.

  Diaper rash in babies is a close cousin and often lumped in with yeast infections of the “intertrigo” variety.
  
  
  

• Vaginitis

  More often than not, vaginitis is caused by bacterial or other mixed infections – not yeast. In fact, in a recent study it was found that only one out of three women treating themselves for a vaginal yeast infection – actually had one.

  However, if the cause of vaginitis is due to candida, the symptoms are usually burning and itching coupled with a white or yellow colored “cheese-like” discharge, along with redness and swelling along the walls and external vaginal areas.

  
• Thrush

  This term is used to describe a yeast infection inside the mouth (also referred to as “oral thrush”). In these cases, you will find white patches lining the inside of the mouth and tongue. These can be painful and make it difficult to eat. It’s more commonly seen in children, and when seen in adults - can signal the presence of a weakened or abnormally functioning immune system.

• Perleche

  This is an infection at or along the corners of the mouth. It usually develops into painful cracks and fissures.

• Candidal Paronychia

  Often confused with onychomycosis or “nail fungus” - this is a fungal infection of the nail beds that can cause redness and swelling.

• Systemic Candida

  In this case, the infection enters the bloodstream and can sometimes become life-threatening. The blood, heart, lungs, brain, eyes, kidneys, liver and spleen are all organs within the body that can develop a systemic candida infection under the right conditions.

  However, as explained in the “causes” section below, most people with normally functioning immune systems are not prone to systemic types of yeast infections.

Causes

As mentioned previously, candida yeasts are present in and on the body and do not normally cause problems. However, under certain conditions, these yeasts can over-multiply resulting in various types of infections (depending upon location on or in the body). The most common cause of candidiasis is antibiotic and/or steroid drug use.

The following conditions can create an environment suitable for yeast over-population and ensuing infections.

• Antibiotic use can sometimes kill off too many of the “good” bacteria residing on the skin and in the gut. Without the presence of these bacteria to compete with the yeast, an infection can develop.
• Immune system dysfunction can lead to an infection. Normally produced human antibodies, just like bacteria also help to keep yeast cells in-check. When the body’s natural defenses aren’t operating as they should – the ever opportunistic yeast cells find an open door that can lead to infection. People with compromised immune systems due to HIV/AIDs, mononucleosis, cancer treatments, diabetes, steroid use – and even stress are especially at risk.
• A hot, humid environment around or on the skin can create the perfect breeding ground for yeast, and provide the candida with optimal conditions for growing at such a rapid rate that the body’s natural defenses and normally present bacteria cannot keep it in-check.

  A perfect example of the result you might find in this environment is the diaper rash commonly found in babies.

Treatment

Although the available treatment options are usually quite effective, preventing the onset of candidiasis by avoiding a build-up of moisture on the skin for extended periods of time is key to remaining infection-free. Careful towel drying of the body after showers and swimming is important, as is the liberal use of talcum powder on areas prone to infection (i.e. skin folds, genital areas, diaper areas, etc.), especially during hot and humid conditions.

Normally, creams containing antifungal medications such as miconazole, clotrimazole or fluconazole (vaginitis/diaper rash); ketoconazole (intertrigo), or nystatin (thrush) are very effective if used twice daily for a period of one to two weeks. Corticosteroids may also be used in conjunction with the antifungals to help relieve some of the pain and itching.

Another possible option should you find antifungals not effective would be the use of gentian violet, a purple dye that is also highly practical when trying to treat oral thrush in babies that are breast feeding.

Another prevention tip: sugars assist in the overgrowth of yeast, so you may want to implement a diet that is low in monomeric and dimeric sugars (i.e. sucrose, glucose, lactose) and starch.

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