Candida Yeast Infection Treatment

Candida Yeast Infection Treatment

Candidiasis is the general term for infection caused by a group of over 20 species of Candida, a microscopic fungi or yeast. The most common one that causes infection in human beings is Candida Albicans. These organisms are a part of the normal environment of the body, inhabiting the skin and mucous membranes. Under certain conditions, they can multiply and cause infections in warm moist areas like skin, genitals, buttocks, mouth, or nail beds. The infection may range from mild or moderate to severe in some cases.

Extent Of Infection
In most cases Candidiasis is restricted to the external body surface or mucosal membranes. Chances of a systemic infection are rather rare. But, essentially, Candida infections can occur throughout the entire body and could even become life-threatening. Systemic infections could affect the blood, brain, eye, kidney, and heart. It can also grow in the lungs, liver, and spleen. Most of the external infections respond easily to treatment and may clear up within a few days.

Where Is Infection Caused?
Yeast grows well in warm, moist places as is seen from the areas they typically affect. Babies develop thrush in the mouth or the diaper area; adults are commonly affected in skin folds like underarms, inner thighs, genitals or dentures; while in women vaginitis, which is yeast infection of the vaginal tract is one of the most common disorders, with most women reporting at least one infection during their lifetime.

Causes
There are several factors that can trigger a yeast infection. The most common ones are a shift in the body’s acid-alkaline balance; certain therapies like antibiotics, steroids, oral contraceptives, or hormones; pregnancy; metabolic disorders like diabetes; and immune -suppressing factors such as AIDS or cancer. Extrinsic factors such as devices implanted in the skin (urinary catheters, IV ports or needles used by drug addicts) may also serve as points of entry for the yeast.

Signs And Symptoms
Although, Candida lives on the body surface, their overgrowth is spurred by a cut in the skin surface. Superficial candidiasis appear as a red flat rash with scalloped edges , surrounded by  similar- appearing smaller patches known as “satellite lesions.” Itching or irritation may be one of the most common symptoms in a yeast infection. Oral candidiasis, also called thrush, appears as thick, white lacy patches on a red base in the mouth and may affect the tongue, palate, or elsewhere inside the mouth.  Oral thrush could make eating or drinking painful. In women, vaginal yeast infection manifests as itching, irritation, burning pain and discharge in the vagina and surrounding outer tissues.

When To Seek Treatment
Mild yeast infections may be treated with over-the-counter topical antimycotic preparations. If symptoms persist or new ones develop, you may need to see a doctor. Oral thrush in children needs a quick visit to the doctor, while for nappy rash, self treatment with Nystatin powders or antifungal creams and lotions will suffice in most cases. Fever, chills, or spreading of the rash to other body parts has to be taken seriously, as it may indicate other serious underlying disorders.