Types of Candida Infections: Signs, Symptoms, Prevention and Medications

Candida is a type of fungus caused by yeast infection. It inhabits in your mouth, digestive tract and in the skin. Without causing any problem. With certain conditions, the infection can multiply and become numerous. It mostly occurs in warm and moist areas in your body.

TYPES OF CANDIDA INFECTIONS:

• Vaginal Yeast Infection
• Oral Thrush
• Fungal Nail Infection
• Invasive Infection
• Skin Infection

When the infection does occur in your body it called as “Candidiasis”. This condition can treat with certain medications.

SYMPTOMS CANDIDA INFECTIONS

The following are signs and symptoms of the infection depending on their types.

VAGINAL INFECTION SYMPTOMS:

• Extreme itchiness in the Vagina
• Redness and Swelling of the Vulva
• Burning sensation during Urination
• Pain while having Sexual Intercourse
• A “cottage-cheese” appearance discharge from the Vagina

ORAL THRUSH SYMPTOMS:

• Difficulty Swallowing
• Bad Taste in the Mouth
• White or yellow patches on the tongue, lips, gums, and roof of the mouth
• Cracking at the corners of the Mouth
• Slight bleeding when bumps are scrape

FUNGAL NAIL SYMPTOMS:

• Discolored Nail (brown, yellow, white)
• Fragile or Cracked Nail
• Thick Nail

SKIN INFECTION SYMPTOMS:

• Ringworm
• Herpes
• Hives
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Diabetes-Related Condition

The symptom of invasive candida infection includes fever and chills. A person with this condition is hard to diagnose. Due to they are sick with another condition.

SOURCE OF INFECTION

The listed below are some sources of the infection.

• Antibiotic
• A high-sugar diet
• Chemical Exposure
• Chronic Stress
• Diabetes
• Mercury in your Fillings
• Using Birth Control Pills

RISK FACTORS

WHO GETS CANDIDA INFECTION?

The following are risk factors for developing the condition.

AT RISK OF VAGINAL INFECTION:

• Women who are Pregnant
• Having a Diabetes
• Using of Birth Control and Steroids
• Taking anti-biotic drugs
• A weak immune system

AT RISK OF ORAL THRUSH:

• Wear dentures
• Having a Diabetes
• Having HIV/AIDS
• A smoker
• Having a Cancer
• Having a medical condition that causes dry mouth

AT RISK OF SKIN INFECTION:

• An infants
• Overweight Person
• Weak Immune System
• A person with Hypothyroidism
• A person with an inflammatory disorder
• Having a Diabetes

AT RISK OF INVASIVE INFECTION:

• A patient with a central venous catheter
• A patient under ICU
• A person with Kidney Failure
• A person who had Gastrointestinal Surgery
• A person with diabetes

AT RISK OF FUNGAL NAIL INFECTION:

• A diabetes person
• Weak immune system
• Having a Nail Surgery
• Having a Blood Circulation Problems

PREVENTION

The following are some tips to avoid infection:

• Avoid using long-term anti-biotic drugs.
• Avoid long-term use of birth control and steroids.
• Reduce eating dietary sugars.
• Eat a nutrient-rich diet.
• Eat lots of naturally fermented foods
• Take probiotic supplements every day.
• Reduce Stress.

DIAGNOSING CANDIDA INFECTIONS

In making the diagnosis, your doctor will conduct an exam about:

• Your diet
• Recent use of a drug
• Taking a medicine that results to weaken your immune system
• Having a history of Diabetes, Cancer, HIV and;
• Other Chronic Disease

Conducting the exam above is to identify the infection. The vaginal infection is done through the microscope. After scraping the affected area. The condition is easy to identify. This can treat through certain medication.

TREATING CANDIDA INFECTIONS

The following are the treatment for the condition. Depending on the affected area.

VAGINAL INFECTION:

Antifungal drug takes place such as cream, ointments, and tablets. These include:

• Butoconazole ( Femstat)
• Tioconazole ( Vagistat 1)
• Oral Fluconazole

THRUSH INFECTION:

• Nystatin
• Mycostatin
• Fluconazole (Diflucan)

FUNGAL NAIL INFECTION:

• Fluconazole (Diflucan)
• Itraconazole ( Sporanox)
• Terbinafine (Lamisil)

INVASIVE INFECTION:

• Fluconazole
• Voriconazole
• Caspofungin

SKIN INFECTION:

• Miconazole
• Clotrimazole
• Oxiconazole