Most yeast infections or candidal infections are treatable and result in minimal complications such as redness, itching and discomfort, though complication may be severe or fatal if left untreated in certain populations. In immunocompetent persons, candidiasis is usually a localized infection of the skin or mucosal membranes, including the oral cavity, which is called thrush, the pharynx or esophagus, the gastrointestinal tract, the urinary bladder, or the genitalia.
Candidiasis is a very common cause of vaginal irritation, vaginitis or vaginal yeast infection and also occur on the male genitals causing a yeast infection in men. In immunocompromised patients, Candida infections can affect the esophagus with the potential of becoming systemic, causing a much more serious condition, a fungemia called candidemia. Children mostly between the ages of three and nine years of age, can be affected by chronic mouth yeast infections, normally seen around the mouth as white patches. However this is not a common condition.
What causes yeast infections
Candida yeasts are commonly present in humans, and their growth is normally limited by the human immune system and by other microorganisms, such as bacteria occupying the same locations or niches in the human body. For women a Candida yeast infection can perturb the normal vaginal flora, consisting of lactic acid bacteria and result in an overgrowth of Candida cells causing symptoms of infection, such as local inflammation. This is the primary source of what causes yeast infections. Pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives have been reported as risk factors for vaginal yeast infection.
Symptoms of candidiasis or yeast infections may vary depending on the area affected. Infection of the vagina or vulva may cause severe itching, burning, soreness, irritation and a whitish or grayish cottage cheese like discharge. These symptoms are also present in the more common bacterial vaginosis. Diagnosis is usually done by either microscopic examination or culturing.
Yeast infection treatment includes Monistat yeast infection cream and is commonly applied topically or to the skin or mucus membranes to cure the fungal infection. It can be bought at most local grocery stores or drug stores. A natural cure for yeast infection includes drinking cranberry juice or by eating yogurt. The natural cures may take longer than over the counter drugs to work effectively, but if you prefer nature over chemicals, these are not bad options.
Yeast infections occur commonly in women but there is yeast infection men experience. There are plenty of treatments and cures available over the counter or you can choose from many a natural cure for yeast infection.
