Yeast Infections

Candida yeast infections, commonly called candidiasis, are caused by a fungi or yeast. There are any different species or types of Candida, but the most common is Candida albicans. This kind of yeast infection affects moist areas of the body, most commonly the vaginal area or underarms. However, any piece of a body can be affected if the fungi grow and inflame the person’s body.

Candida yeast infections can be a symptom or result of chronic diseases like diabetes and AIDS. Thus, if you have a yeast infection, it is important to have it checked out, especially if you are at risk for contracting these diseases. If a person has a disease that affects their immune system, it is important to treat the yeast infection as soon as possible because it can spread and even become life-threatening (i.e. the body can’t battle it if the immune system is not working properly). Additionally, if you are ill and on antibiotics, a yeast infection may appear because your immune system can not combat or fight the fungi.

Yeast infections are easy to spot if you know the signs and symptoms to look for. For vaginal yeast infections, a woman should look for a white, cheese-like discharge and should pay attention to itchy or burning in the crotch-area. Candida yeast infections can also affect people’s mouths and other body parts. Mainly, people should look for inflamed skin, itching, pain, and blisters. If one or many of these symptoms persist for more than a few days, then you may have an issue with Candida albicans and may have a yeast infection.

Candida yeast infections can be treated a number of ways. People may be given medicine by their doctors or they may be asked to change their diet for a period of time. The type of treatment given depends upon the severity of the yeast infection. If yeast infections are treated, more than 90% of people report a full recovery, though some of relapses, especially those with the aforementioned illnesses or those with a genetic predisposition to yeast infections.