What Causes Candida Infections?

Candida, medically named Candida albicans, is the most likely organism to cause fungal infections of the skin, mouth, digestive tract, and genitalia. Candida albicans is the organism that causes yeast infections. Yeast infections usually result from an overgrowth of fungi due to an imbalance of friendly bacteria in the body. The bacteria/fungi equilibrium usually gets upset when antibiotics are taken. Some people having a Candida infection can also get a systemic infection that can become life threatening. The most common cause of Candida infections is due to the overuse or misuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria along with the bad, which causes the fungal growth to flourish. The types of Candida infections will be discussed bel

Candida infection of the skin

The most common areas of the skin to be infected with Candida albicans are located in skin folds, between the toes and fingers and in and around the rectum and genital regions. Yeast likes to grow in warm, moist areas of the body such as the perianal areas in both women and men. Men are also likely to develop a yeast infection on his penis. People who frequently have their hands in water may be susceptible to developing a Candida infection between the fingers and under the nails. Likewise, someone whose feet stay moist will be more susceptible of developing Athlete's foot which is caused by the same organism. When the nails are infected, they may turn yellow or yellowish white. It is important to keep the hands and feet as dry as possible. People with pendulant abdomens and breasts are likely to have yeast infections in areas where the skin folds in upon itself.

The most common place for women to have a Candida (yeast) infection is in the vulvovaginal area. The symptoms of yeast infections in this area include itching, burning, painful urination, painful intercourse, skin irritation of the vulva and upper thighs. In the vaginal area the symptoms may also (but not always) include a vaginal discharge.

Candida infection of the mouth and throat

An oral Candida infection is commonly called thrush. Thrush is characterized by white patches on the corners of the lips, tongue, on the roof of the mouth and on the oral mucosa in the cheeks. Candida infections in the mouth and throat are most commonly found in people with compromised immune systems; newborns are also susceptible to developing thrush. Adults who wear dentures can also get this infection.

Systemic Candida infection

Normally, we carry a minute amount of Candida inside and on the body. Candida is at home in the gut and can live in fecal material. Anyone having a systemic Candida infection is very sick. The symptoms of a systemic yeast infection include shock due to low blood pressure and elevated heart rate. The person with a systemic yeast infection will have a fever and there is great danger of multiple organ failure which can lead to death.

Conclusion

Yeast infections are very common among people with diabetes and other underlying diseases including cancer and HIV/AIDS. Candida is so prevalent among diabetics because of the elevated glucose levels. Yeast likes to feed off glucose.

Candida is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease, but it can be transmitted from female to male during intercourse. If a woman has a yeast infection, her husband may need to be treated also to prevent the male from getting the same infection on his genital area.

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Candida infections

Yeast infections