Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast that lives on your body called Candida albicans. A candidiasis infection often appears where Candida naturally lives in small amounts, like your skin, mouth or vagina.

Normally, healthy bacteria on your body prevent yeast overgrowth. Imagine you have a two-armed scale with healthy bacteria on one side and yeast on the other. The scale stays balanced until something disrupts it, like:

• Certain medical conditions
• Stress
• Unhealthy eating patterns
• Weakened immune system

When something disrupts your scale, a candidiasis infection can occur.

Candidiasis causes discomfort, itching and irritation until you find treatment, but it isn’t a major threat to your overall health. Like any other infection, you should treat it right away to relieve your symptoms. Left untreated, severe infections could spread to other parts of your body, including your blood, heart and brain.

Types of candidiasis

Since yeast naturally lives on your body, there are different types of candidiasis based on the location of the infection. Types of candidiasis include:

• Cutaneous candidiasis. Cutaneous means skin. A cutaneous candidiasis infection causes red, raised patches to form in the folds of your skin, like in your underarms, under your breasts and near your buttocks (diaper rash).
• Nail candidiasis (candidal paronychia). Nail candidiasis is an infection in your nail folds or cuticles. It causes redness, pain and swelling around your nails. In severe cases, your nail plate may separate from your nail bed (onycholysis).
• Oral candidiasis (thrush). Thrush is an infection that affects your mouth, throat, tongue or esophagus. It causes raised, white sores to develop, along with mouth pain, irritation and redness.
• Vaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infection). Vaginal candidiasis is a common infection that causes burning, itching and redness in your vulva and changes to your vaginal discharge. A vaginal yeast infection is a type of vaginitis.

A serious type of candidiasis is called invasive candidiasis. Invasive candidiasis is a life-threatening infection that occurs when Candida gets into your bloodstream and spreads to your internal organs. It most often affects people in hospitals and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of candidiasis

Candidiasis symptoms vary depending on the type and location of the infection. Symptoms of candidiasis may include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Burning sensation
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Itching (pruritus)
• Loss of taste (ageusia)
• Pain and soreness
• Skin rash with small, raised bumps
• White patches or sores in your mouth and throat

Many people who develop invasive candidiasis are already ill. So, it can be difficult to determine which symptoms are from their original conditions and which are from the infection. But as the infection spreads throughout your body, you may experience fever and chills.

Candidiasis causes

An overgrowth of Candida yeast causes candidiasis infections. This occurs when there’s an imbalance between healthy bacteria and Candida yeast on your body. Triggers that can disrupt this balance include:

• Being immunocompromised
• Eating foods high in refined carbohydrates, sugar or yeast
• Experiencing hormonal changes, like pregnancy or menopause
• Feeling stressed
• Having certain medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS
• Taking certain medications, including antibiotics, oral contraceptives and steroids

Risk factors

Candidiasis can affect anyone because yeast naturally lives on your body, and it’s easy to upset the balance of healthy bacteria and yeast. But there are certain groups of people who are more likely to develop an infection. Candidiasis most often affects:

• Catheter users
• Denture users
• Newborns and infants
• People in hospitals
• People with diabetes
• Pregnant women

How doctors diagnose candidiasis

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination of the affected area and ask you about your medical history. They’ll also ask you questions about your symptoms, including their severity and how long you’ve had them.

Your provider may be able to diagnose oral candidiasis by the appearance of your mouth or throat. For other types of candidiasis, they’ll likely request testing to confirm a diagnosis.

How do you treat a candidiasis infection?

The No. 1 treatment option for a candidiasis yeast infection is an antifungal medication. Depending on the type and severity of the infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe an antifungal that’s topical (cream or ointment) or oral (pill, lozenge or liquid). For severe infections, you may need to receive an antifungal intravenously (through a vein).

Invasive candidiasis will require more intensive treatment. Your provider will likely start with an intravenous antifungal like echinocandin.

Can I take over-the-counter medications to treat candidiasis?

Yes, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medication. But the success of OTC medicine is dependent on knowing which type of yeast you’re trying to treat. This can be difficult to identify without visiting your healthcare provider. They can perform a culture test of the infection and give you a specific plan to treat your infection.

How long does candidiasis last?

Most mild to moderate cases of candidiasis will clear up in two to three days after you complete treatment. More severe cases may take a couple of weeks to clear up completely after treatment.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should contact your healthcare provider when you notice any symptoms of candidiasis, including:

• Itchiness
• Pain
• Rash
• Swelling

Untreated candidiasis symptoms could become worse over time. So, it’s best to visit your provider at the first sign of infection to start treatment.

Can candidiasis be prevented?

You may be able to prevent candidiasis by:

• Maintaining good physical and oral hygiene
• Managing your stress
• Reducing the amount of refined carbohydrates and sugar you eat
• Talking with your healthcare provider about medications you’re taking
• Treating current medical conditions

What can I expect if I have candidiasis?

Treatment for candidiasis is extremely effective. Symptoms are bothersome but should start to fade after treatment begins. Infections usually clear up completely between two days and two weeks, depending on the type and severity.

If left untreated, symptoms of candidiasis can cause irritation and discomfort and could increase in severity over time. Sometimes, candidiasis returns after treatment, so it’s best to work with your healthcare provider on a treatment plan. They can target the specific type of yeast that caused the overgrowth on your body.