Perhaps the worst thing about yeast infections, or candidiasis, is the myriad places they pop up. When the bacteria in your body stops keeping all the little yeast cells (most commonly candida albicans, although there are more than twenty different types) in line, they explode with growth, taking over the area and sending you into fits of itchy, uncomfortable pain. Yeast infections are contagious, as well. Not only can they spread to another person but to an entire other part of the body.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis
Because of candida’s fondness for warm, dark, moist places, the vagina is a prime place for infection. The vagina becomes red, itchy, and uncomfortable. Sex is painful, and there’s usually a telltale thick, yellowish discharge with a consistency similar to that of cottage cheese. It is easily treated with an over-the-counter medication, like Monistat (miconazole nitrate), but a visit to the doctor is still a good idea—the symptoms of candidiasis mimic that of more serious conditions, like chlamydia, and if the yeast has been allowed to take over for too long without being treated, additional infections, like bacterial vaginosis, can crop up. Since yeast is a fungus, medications intended for it will not affect a bacterial infection, which must be treated with antibiotics.
Oropharyngeal candidiasis
While it is more common in young children, thrush, a yeast infection of the mouth and tongue, can still develop in anyone. A rash develops over the top of the tongue, coating the tongue in a thick white layer (although sometimes the tongue rash may have a patchy, redder appearance instead). The corners of the lips tend to crack, and eating can become uncomfortable as swallowing gets increasingly difficult. Often, thrush will begin to clear up of its own accord, although a doctor may prescribe nystatin, antifungal mouth drops. Yogurt can sooth a difficult itch to scratch, plus the acidophilus cultures in yogurt are good bacteria naturally found in the body that normally keep yeast under control. However, if left untreated, it can begin to spread down the throat.
Candida esophagitis
If a yeast infection spreads into the throat and esophagus, it has the potential to become more dangerous. Every time you swallow, you are swallowing the yeast. Occasionally, this can lead to bleeding and more intensive gastrointestinal tract issues. Generally, the candida esophagitis can be treated similarly to thrush, with a round of nystatin drops. Nystatin is available by prescription only, but once the infection has become strong enough to begin taking over the throat as well, a visit to the doctor is a necessity.
Epidermal candidiasis
Yeast infections on the skin develop as red bumpy rashes. Just as itchy as their counterparts, skin infections tend to develop in warm, dark places, such as the armpits or genitals. Although female genital infection appears different, candidiasis on the male genitals appears very similarly to epidermal candidiasis. There are many over the counter lotions and creams with clotrimazole (an antifungal ingredient) that can be purchased and applied to the area. Sometimes this is sufficient for the infection, but sometimes a prescription cream with ketoconazole is required.
Candidemia
Candidemia is a yeast infection of the blood. Once the infection has invaded this thoroughly into the body, the condition is extremely dangerous, especially as it is more prone to develop in people with preexisting autoimmune disorders, like HIV or even diabetes. Also referred to as invasive candidiasis, it very rarely develops in healthy adults. It is, however, one of the most common bloodstream infections among hospitalized patients. A fever and chills are the first identifiable symptoms, and from there the infection can spread to other organs and systems within the body. Treatment by a doctor is absolutely essential, as organ failure can follow when proper procedures are not taken. Intravenous antifungal medication given for several weeks is the only potential way to halt candidemia.
