What To Know About Candida Fungal Infections (2024)

Candidainfections—also known as candidiasis— are fungal infections caused by the overgrowth of a type of yeast calledCandida. This yeast is naturally present on our skin and in our bodies and is usually harmless. Under certain conditions,Candidacan grow out of control and cause an infection, most commonly affecting the skin, mouth, and vagin*.

The exact symptoms of candidiasis depend on which part of the body the fungus affects, but may include itching, burning, redness, rash, and discomfort. Treatment for aCandidainfection commonly involves antifungal medications, such as topical creams or oral medications. If left untreated, aCandidainfection can enter the bloodstream and affect internal organs, leading to severe illness.

Anyone can develop candidiasis, but using certain antibiotics, living with a weakened immune system, and having poor hygiene can increase your risk of developing the infection. That's why knowing the symptoms and understanding when to seek medical care can be so important.

Candidainfections can affect any part of the body but are most common in the mouth, vagin* or vulva, and skin.

• Oral candidiasis (known as thrush): Thrush affects the mouth and throat, causing white or yellowish patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, and throat. It can cause discomfort, difficulty swallowing, and loss of taste.
• vagin*l candidiasis (known as a yeast infection): vagin*l candidiasis affects the vagin* and vulva, causing itching, irritation, abnormal discharge (which is usually white and thick), and discomfort during sexual intercourse. About 75% of people born with a vagin* will experience at least one yeast infection in their lifetime.
• Cutaneous candidiasis (known as a skin Infection): This type of infection affects the skin and typically occurs in warm or moist areas of your body, such as the armpits, groin, and beneath the breasts. In babies, it may appear around the groin or buttocks area (diaper rash). A skinCandidainfection often causes a red and itchy rash.

While oral, vagin*l, and skin candidiasis are among the most common types, Candida infections can also affect other areas of the body, including:

• Digestive system (gastrointestinal candidiasis): Affects the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract, leading to difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
• Fingernails and toenails (candidal paronychia): Causes symptoms in the nails and surrounding tissue, which may lead to redness, swelling, pain, and sometimes pus.
• Systemic (bodywide) candidiasis: Occurs when Candida enters the bloodstream, which can affect the functioning of multiple organs. Though rare, this type can sometimes occur in people with weakened immune systems (or, those who are immunocompromised).
• Ear canals (otitis externa): Leads to inflammation in the ear canal which can occur when there's water and bacteria left in your ear after swimming.
• Scalp (yeast infection): Grows bacteria on the skin of your head, leading to symptoms such as itchiness, flaky scales, and pus-filled blisters.
  

Symptoms

Symptoms of aCandidainfection vary and depend on the area of the body that the infection affects.

Oral Candidiasis (Thrush) Symptoms

Thrush is aCandidainfection that affects the mouth and throat. Symptoms include:

• White or yellowish patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain while eating
• Loss of taste
• A cottony feeling in the mouth

vagin*l Candidiasis (Yeast Infection) Symptoms

Yeast infections occur when there is an overgrowth ofCandidain the vagin*l area. This infection can cause the following symptoms in the vagin* and vulva:

• Itching
• Burning
• Redness
• Abnormal discharge that is usually thick, clumpy, and white
• Pain during urination or sexual intercourse

Cutaneous Candidiasis (Skin Infection) Symptoms

Candidaskin infections tend to occur in warm, moist areas of your body such as the folds of the skin, under the breasts, or in the diaper area of infants. Symptoms include:

• Intense itchiness
• Redness
• Rash that looks like pimples on your hair follicles

Candida infections occur when there is an overgrowth ofCandida—a type of yeast fungus. Most people have this yeast on and in their bodies, which is usually harmless. IfCandidamultiplies and grows out of control, it can cause an infection.

Factors that can contribute to the development of candidiasis include:

• A weakened immune system: This may occur due to autoimmune disorders (e.g., HIV/AIDS) or certain medications that suppress the immune system response (e.g., corticosteroids). A weakened immune system not only increases the risk of Candida overgrowth, but may boost your likelihood of experiencing infections again in the future.
• Antibiotic use: There are good bacteria in your body that can help control Candida. However, using too many antibiotics can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the body and allow Candidato grow out of control and cause symptoms of an infection.
• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal disorders can alter the vagin*l environment, making it more susceptible toCandidaovergrowth and vagin*l yeast infections.
• Diabetes: When this condition is poorly managed, diabetes can cause severely high blood sugar levels, which creates an ideal yeast growth environment.
• Certain lifestyle factors:Having poor hygiene, smoking, and wearing tight or damp clothing can also contribute toCandidaovergrowth.

Diagnosis

If you think you have symptoms of a Candida infection, it's best practice to see your healthcare provider to receive a proper diagnosis. During your appointment, your provider will usually ask about your medical history and symptoms, perform a medical exam, and order diagnostic tests to confirm the infection.

Your healthcare provider may swab take a sample of your tissue and send it to the lab. This may include swabbing your mouth, vagin*, or the part of your skin that has a rash. In the lab, a technician can then view the tissue under a microscope and identify whether Candida is present.

If your healthcare provider suspects you have invasive (systemic) candidiasis, they may take a blood sample and send it to the lab to detect the presence ofCandidaantigens (or, harmful toxins) which can indicate that you have a Candidainfection inside your body.

The goal of treatment for Candida infections is to reduce the overgrowth of Candida yeast, relieve symptoms, and restore a healthy balance of microorganisms on and in your body. Antifungal medications effectively treat most Candida infections. However, your healthcare provider will tailor your specific treatment plan based on the location, symptoms, and severity of your infection.

Oral Candidiasis (Thrush) Treatments

Antifungal medications that can treat thrush include:

• Antifungal mouthwash such as Nystop (nystatin)
• Dissolving tablets including Lotrimin (clotrimazole)
• Antifungal drugs that come in liquid or pill form, such as Diflucan (fluconazole) or Sporanox (itraconazole)

vagin*l Candidiasis (Yeast Infection) Treatments

Yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal medicine that you apply inside the vagin* (called suppositories), topical (on the skin) antifungal creams, or oral (via mouth) antifungal medicines.

Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medicines may help treat mild yeast infections. Most drug stores carry OTC yeast infection treatments, such as:

• Monistat (miconazole)
• Lotrimin (clotrimazole)
• Trosyd (tioconazole)
  

For more severe or recurrent yeast infections, your healthcare provider may prescribe prescription-strength vagin*l suppositories, creams, or oral antifungal medicines, such as:

• Femstat-3 (butoconazole)
• Terazol (terconazole)
• Diflucan (fluconazole)

Cutaneous Candidiasis (Skin Infection) Treatments

Topical antifungal creams, gels, or powders are best for treating candidiasis on the skin. These may include:

• Nizoral (ketoconazole)
• Naftin (naftifine)
• Lotrimin (clotrimazole)
• Nystop (nystatin)
  

More severe infections may require prescription antifungal medicine such as Diflucan (fluconazole), which you can take orally.

How to Prevent Candida Infections

It’s not always possible to preventCandidainfections, but certain preventative measures can help reduce your risk. By taking these steps, you can help maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms in your body and create a less favorable environment for an overgrowth of the Candida fungus:

• Practicing good hygiene, including regular handwashing and brushing your teeth twice a day
• Keeping your skin clean and dry, particularly in areas prone to excess production of moisture, like your armpits, groin, and skin folds
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet while avoiding excessive consumption of sugary foods
• Wearing breathable clothing (such as cotton fabrics) and avoiding tight-fitting clothing that can trap moistureon your body
• Managing underlying health conditions and following your treatment plan, especially if you have a weakened immune system or conditions that can increase your risk ofdeveloping a Candidainfection (e.g., diabetes)
• Avoiding douching your vagin*l area or using scented products in or on your vagin*

UntreatedCandidainfections can lead to complications, such as:

• Invasive candidiasis: Occurs when the Candida fungus enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. This condition can be life-threatening, causing severe bloodstream infections or affecting vital organs like the heart, brain, or kidneys.
• Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC): A rare condition that causes recurrent and persistentCandidainfections on the nails, skin, mouth, and genitals. It most commonly affects people who are immunocompromised.
• Esophagitis: Develops when theCandidafungus infects the esophagus (a tube that connects the mouth to your stomach), resulting in inflammation and discomfort while swallowing food.
• Urinary tract infection (UTI): An infection that can cause frequent and painful urination and blood in the urine.

A Quick Review

Candida, or candidiasis, is a common fungal infection caused by the overgrowth ofCandidayeast. It can cause infections in any part of the body, but most commonly occurs in the mouth (oral thrush), vagin* (yeast infection), and skin (cutaneous candidiasis). In some cases, the fungi can also affect the nails, stomach, scalp, and ears. Symptoms may include a red, itchy rash, pain, and discomfort, depending on the location of the infection.

Antifungal medications, including topical creams and oral medicines, can help relieve symptoms and eliminate the infection. WhileCandidais not always preventable, yeast thrives in warm, moist areas, so practicing good hygiene, keeping your skin clean and dry, and avoiding foods high in sugar and carbohydrates may help preventCandidainfections from developing in the future.