What is yeast infection? Well, this is a question that a lot of people would ask usually when they have the disease. Yeast infection refers to the unexpected growth of the fungus called Candida. This is one of the fungi which can stay on your skin. Warmth and moisture would favor the growth of this yeast. Therefore, when you try to search for information about what is yeast infection, you would find that yeast infection is caused by a lot of factors. As long as the factors can change the moistures and pH levels inside the body, they can be a direct or indirect cause of the infection.
For some people, knowing what is a Yeast Infection is a matter of life or death. However, you don’t have to reach this point just to become motivated to know more about the condition. This is why you should read about the disease before you or your partner incurs it. Prevention is better than cure. Here are some of the things that you might want to know about the condition.
Candidiasis – This other name came from the organism that causes the infection to erupt. This organism is a fungus that is called Candida albicans.
Moniliasis
Thrush – This is the most common name that is being used all over the world. Some people don’t even realize that the scientific name of this condition is Candidiasis. This is why most people tend to ignore the condition once it has been established and they were able to figure out that what they have is Thrush.
A yeast infection results from an overgrowth of yeast (a type of fungus) anywhere in the body. Candidiasis is by far the most common type of yeast infection. There are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida albicans. These fungi live on all surfaces of our bodies. Under certain conditions, they can become so numerous they cause infections, particularly in warm and moist areas. Examples of such infections are vaginal yeast infections, thrush (infection of tissues of the oral cavity), skin and diaper rash, and nailbed infections.
Candidal infections commonly occur in warm moist body areas, such as underarms. Usually your skin effectively blocks yeast, but any breakdown or cuts in the skin may allow this organism to penetrate. Typical affected areas in babies include the mouth and diaper areas.
Vaginal yeast infection, which is the most common form of vaginitis is often referred to as vaginal Candidiasis. In adults, oral yeast infections become more common with increased age. Adults also can have yeast infections around dentures, in skin folds under the breast and lower abdomen, nailbeds, and beneath other skin folds. Most of these candidal infections are superficial and clear up easily with treatment. Infections of the nailbeds often require prolonged therapy.
Rarely, the yeast infection may spread throughout the body. In systemic candidal disease (in which the fungus enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body), up to 45% of people may die. Even common mouth and vaginal yeast infections can cause critical illness and can be more resistant to normal treatment. Yeast infections that return may be a sign of more serious diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, or AIDS.
These are the people who have a weakened immune system. This is why they are more susceptible to infections. Their bodies cannot fight infections efficiently. These are the people who get colds easily or those who develop fevers for no apparent reason. The degradation of their immune system can be caused by a lot of things such as the treatments and medications that they are currently taking.
These people require tubes to breathe. This is why they have a tube that is directly inserted into their mouths. Since there is a foreign object inside the body, they are more prone to infections such as Candidiasis.
People who are suffering from this condition are prone to infections not just because their immune system is not working properly. It is also because they cannot recover from certain diseases that easily.
When you are taking antibiotics for a long time, your body tends to produce a rebound effect. This means that instead of fighting off infections, your body becomes more susceptible to such conditions.
This treatment modality for cancer is known to suppress the immune system. This is why people who undergo chemotherapy are more likely to develop Candidiasis.
This can also cause the immune system to disintegrate. It is not an overnight thing though. You need to be stressed for a long period of time in order for Candidiasis to occur. This is why it is best to stay stress free most of the time.
A lot of pregnant women tend to care less about their hygiene during this difficult time. Once oral and genital hygiene is neglected, infections are bound to occur and Candidiasis is no exception. If you are pregnant, then the best way to ensure that you stay Candidiasis-free is to follow your hygienic regimens regularly.
These conditions can greatly suppress your immune system. Aside from that, these conditions can also make you weak and fragile which can inhibit you from proceeding with your hygienic routines.
This is most evident in Oral Thrush. In other types of Candidiasis, you will be able to see lesions in the infected area. These lesions look like infected insect bites and they exude malodorous discharge.
This is what sets the lesions apart from most skin lesions. Patients often complain of severe itching in the infected area. However, there are times wherein the lesions do not itch at all. This is why you should not use this as a basis if you have Candidiasis or not.
Signs and symptoms of a candidal infection can vary depending on the location of the infection.
In women, signs and symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are a white discharge that is thick and often described as having a cottage cheese appearance. The infection typically causes itching and irritates the vagina and surrounding outer tissues. On occasion there may be pain with marital relations or burning with urination.
In infants and adults, a candidal infection can appear many different ways.
Oral candidiasis is called thrush. Thick, white lacy patches on top of a red base can form on the tongue, palate, or elsewhere inside the mouth. These patches sometimes look like milk curds but cannot be wiped away as easily as milk can. If the white plaques are wiped away with a blade or cotton-tipped applicator, the underlying tissue may bleed. This infection also may make the tongue look red without the white coating. Thrush can be painful and make it difficult to eat. Care should be given to make sure a person with thrush does not become dehydrated. Thrush was formerly referred to as moniliasis, based upon an older name for Candid albicans (Monilia).
Candidal organisms naturally live on the skin, but breakdown of the outer layers of skin promote the yeast's overgrowth. This typically occurs when the environment is warm and moist such as in diaper areas and skin folds. Superficial candidal skin infections appear as a red flat rash with sharp scalloped edges. There are usually smaller patches of similar appearing rash nearby, known as "satellite lesions." These rashes may cause itching or pain.
In people with weakened immune systems, candidal infections can affect various internal organs and cause pain or dysfunction of the organ. People with suppressed immune systems due to AIDS, chemotherapy, or other conditions may contract a yeast infection called esophagitis in their upper gastrointestinal (GI) systems. This infection is similar to thrush but extends down the mouth and esophagus to the stomach. Candida esophagitis can cause painful ulcers throughout the GI system, making it too painful to swallow even liquids. If the infection spreads into the intestines, food may be poorly absorbed. People with this condition are in danger of becoming dehydrated. There may be associated pain in the area of the sternum (breast bone), pain in the upper abdomen, and/or nausea and vomiting.
If Candida gets into the bloodstream, the person may become sick with or without fever. If the infection spreads to the brain, they may have acute changes in mental function or behavior.
Most candidal infections can be treated at home with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies or prescription medications and can clear within a week. But if some other disease has weakened your immune system, consult a doctor for any new symptoms before attempting self-treatment. You may risk getting an infection.
Most women can treat yeast infections at home with over-the-counter medications.
Apply these remedies into your vagina and surrounding tissues for 1-7 days depending on the formulation. If increased irritation occurs to the area, discontinue the medication immediately.
If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before using these treatments.
If a single dose of fluconazole (Diflucan) - is as effective as topical antifungal creams.
If symptoms are recurrent or continue for more than 1 week, consult your health care practitioner.
In thrush, swish the antifungal agent nystatin (Bio-Statin, Mycostatin, Mycostatin Pastilles, Nilstat) around in the mouth. Take care to maintain excellent oral hygiene.
All objects put into a child's mouth should be sterilized after each use.
Women who are breastfeeding must consult their doctor before use for Candida of the breast.
If a person wear dentures, clean them thoroughly after each use and practice good oral hygiene.
Adults have several treatment options not available to babies, such as troches (antifungal lozenges) or pills such as fluconazole (Diflucan), to help clear the infection in addition to nystatin.
Skin and diaper rash
Creams and lotions can be applied to superficial skin infections. Other medications need a prescription and a visit to a health care practitioner.
The affected area should be kept clean and dry.
For diaper rashes, frequent diaper changes and the use of barrier creams will speed recovery.
If the individual's immune system is weak, the doctor may handle minimal local infections with home care. More serious infections may need IV medications administered at the hospital.
A wide array of treatment options is available to treat candidiasis. Options include creams, lotions, pills, troches (lozenges), and vaginal suppositories. Talk to your doctor to find the option that is right for you.
Azole medications are a family of antifungal drugs that end in the suffix "-azole." They block the manufacture of ergosterol, a crucial material of the yeast cell wall. Without ergosterol, the yeast cell wall becomes leaky and the yeast die. Fortunately, ergosterol is not a component of human membranes, and azoles do not harm human cells. Examples include miconazole, tioconazole, clotrimazole, fluconazole, and butoconazole.
Polyene antifungals include nystatin and amphotericin B. Nystatin is used for thrush and superficial candidal infections. Doctors reserve amphotericin B for more serious systemic fungal infections. The antifungals work by attaching to the yeast cell wall building material, ergosterol. These medications then form artificial holes in the yeast-wall that causes the yeast to leak and die.