Candidiasis encompasses infections that range from superficial, such as oral thrush and vaginitis, to systemic and potentially life-threatening diseases. Candida infections of the latter category are also referred to as candidemia and are usually confined to severely immunocompromised persons, such as cancer, transplant, and AIDS patients, as well as nontrauma emergency surgery patients.
Superficial infections of skin and mucosal membranes by Candida causing local inflammation and discomfort are common in many human populations. While clearly attributable to the presence of the opportunistic pathogens of the genus Candida, candidiasis describes a number of different disease syndromes that often differ in their causes and outcomes.
Classification of Candidiasis
Candidiasis may be divided into the following types:
Angular cheilitis (perlèche)
Antibiotic candidiasis (iatrogenic candidiasis)
Candidal intertrigo
Candidal paronychia
Candidal vulvovaginitis (vaginal yeast infection)
Candidid
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
Antibiotic candidiasis (iatrogenic candidiasis)
Candidal intertrigo
Candidal paronychia
Candidal vulvovaginitis (vaginal yeast infection)
Candidid
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
Congenital cutaneous candidiasis
Diaper candidiasis
Erosio interdigitalis blastomycetica
Oral candidiasis (thrush)
Perianal candidiasis
Systemic candidiasis
Signs and symptoms
Skin candidiasis
Nail candidiasis (onychomycosis)
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Symptoms of candidiasis vary depending on the area affected. Most candidial infections result in minimal complications such as redness, itching and discomfort, though complications may be severe or fatal if left untreated in certain populations. In immunocompetent persons, candidiasis is usually a very localized infection of the skin or mucosal membranes, including the oral cavity (thrush), the pharynx or esophagus, the gastrointestinal tract, the urinary bladder, or the genitalia (vagina, penis).
Candidiasis is a very common cause of vaginal irritation, or vaginitis, and can also occur on the male genitals. 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.
Thrush is commonly seen in infants. It is not considered abnormal in infants unless it lasts longer than a few weeks.
Infection of the vagina or vulva may cause severe itching, burning, soreness, irritation, and a whitish or whitish-gray cottage cheese-like discharge, often with a curd-like appearance. These symptoms are also present in the more common bacterial vaginosis. In a 2002 study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, only 33% of women who were self-treating for a yeast infection actually had a yeast infection, while most had either bacterial vaginosis or a mixed-type infection. Symptoms of infection of the male genitalia include red, patchy sores near the head of the penis or on the foreskin, severe itching, or a burning sensation. Candidiasis of the penis can also have a white discharge, although uncommon.
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 in the human body.
C. albicans was isolated from the vaginas of 19% of apparently healthy women, i.e., those who experienced few or no symptoms of infection. External use of detergents or douches or internal disturbances (hormonal or physiological) can perturb the normal vaginal flora, consisting of lactic acid bacteria, such as lactobacilli, and result in an overgrowth of Candida cells, causing symptoms of infection, such as local inflammation. Pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives have been reported as risk factors. Diabetes mellitus and the use of antibacterial antibiotics are also linked to an increased incidence of yeast infections. Diets high in simple carbohydrates have been found to affect rates of oral candidiases, and hormone replacement therapy and infertility treatments may also be predisposing factors. Wearing wet swimwear for long periods of time is also believed to be a risk factor.
A weakened or undeveloped immune system or metabolic illnesses such as diabetes are significant predisposing factors of candidiasis. Diseases or conditions linked to candidiasis include HIV/AIDS, mononucleosis, cancer treatments, steroids, stress, and nutrient deficiency. Almost 15% of people with weakened immune systems develop a systemic illness caused by Candida species. In extreme cases, these superficial infections of the skin or mucous membranes may enter into the bloodstream and cause systemic Candida infections.
In penile candidiasis, the causes include sexual intercourse with an infected individual, low immunity, antibiotics, and diabetes. Male genital yeast infections are less common, and incidences of infection are only a fraction of those in women; however, yeast infection on the penis from direct contact via sexual intercourse with an infected partner is not uncommon.
Candida species are frequently part of the human body's normal oral and intestinal flora. Treatment with antibiotics can lead to eliminating the yeast's natural competitors for resources, and increase the severity of the condition.[citation needed] Higher prevalence of colonization of C. albicans was reported in young individuals with tongue piercing, in comparison to unpierced matched individuals. In the Western Hemisphere, about 75% of females are affected at some time in their lives.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a yeast infection is done either via microscopic examination or culturing.
For identification by light microscopy, a scraping or swab of the affected area is placed on a microscope slide. A single drop of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution is then added to the specimen. The KOH dissolves the skin cells, but leaves the Candida cells intact, permitting visualization of pseudohyphae and budding yeast cells typical of many Candida species.
For the culturing method, a sterile swab is rubbed on the infected skin surface. The swab is then streaked on a culture medium. The culture is incubated at 37°C for several days, to allow development of yeast or bacterial colonies. The characteristics (such as morphology and colour) of the colonies may allow initial diagnosis of the organism causing disease symptoms.
Treatment
In clinical settings, candidiasis is commonly treated with antimycotics; the antifungal drugs commonly used to treat candidiasis are topical clotrimazole, topical nystatin, fluconazole, and topical ketoconazole.
For example, a one-time dose of fluconazole (150-mg tablet taken orally) has been reported as being 90% effective in treating a vaginal yeast infection. This dose is only effective for vaginal yeast infections, and other types of yeast infections may require different dosing. In severe infections, amphotericin B, caspofungin, or voriconazole may be used. Local treatment may include vaginal suppositories or medicated douches. Gentian violet can be used for thrush in breastfeeding babies, but when used in large quantities, it can cause mouth and throat ulcerations, and has been linked to mouth cancer in humans and to cancer in the digestive tract of other animals.
Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse is not recommended to treat candidiasis, but is effective as prophylaxis; chlorine dioxide rinse was found to have similar in vitro effectiveness against Candida.
C. albicans can develop resistance to antimycotic drugs. Recurring infections may be treatable with other antifungal drugs, but resistance to these alternative agents may also develop.
What is candidiasis?
Candidiasis, commonly called a yeast infection, is an infection caused by a fungal microorganism, most often the fungus Candida albicans. Candidiasis is also known as candida and thrush. It can cause yeast infections in many areas of the body including:
The fungus that causes most cases of candidiasis, Candida albicans, normally lives in the mouth, vagina, and other places in the body. It exists in a certain balance with other microorganisms, including bacteria. However, some factors or conditions may cause an overgrowth of Candida albicans resulting in candidiasis. Candidiasis can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her child during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Candidiasis is treatable in generally healthy people. However, candidiasis is more likely to occur and can be more difficult to treat in people with weakened immune systems due to such conditions as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or taking steroid medications or chemotherapy. In these cases, complications of candidiasis may become life threatening.
Recurring candidiasis infections can also be a symptom of a serious, undiagnosed underlying disease, such as HIV/AIDS or diabetes. Seek prompt medical care for recurring candidiasis infections including vaginal yeast infections or oral thrush.
SYMPTOMS
What are the symptoms of candidiasis?
Symptoms of candidiasis differ depending on the severity of the infection and the area of the body affected.... Read more about candidiasis information symptoms
CAUSES
What causes candidiasis?
Candidiasis most often occurs when there is an overgrowth of Candida albicans in places in the body where it normally lives, such as the mouth and vagina. When Candida albicans grows unchecked, it throws off the normal balance of other microorganisms that normally live in the body.... Read more about candidiasis information causes
TREATMENTS
How is candidiasis treated?
Treatment of candidiasis begins with seeking regular medical care throughout your life. This allows your health care professional to assess your risks of developing candidiasis and promptly order diagnostic testing for candidiasis and underlying conditions as needed. These measures greatly increase the chances of diagnosing and treating underlying causes of candidiasis in their earliest stages.... Read more about candidiasis information treatments
Source: http://www.localhealth.com/article/candidiasis-information
MORE READING ABOUT CANDIDIASIS
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/candidiasis_yeast_infection/article_em.htm
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/candidiasis-yeast-infection
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/213853-clinical
This is a very informative post you have here. A yeast infection treatment is what you should be asking your doctor to help you.
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