Healthcare

Candidial infection can lead to complications such as the skin becomes redness, itching and anxiety, although it may also lead to severe complications of fatal in not treated early.
For people who are in immunocompetent condition (good immune/normal), the form of candidiasis is usually just a skin infection or local mucosal membranes, as well as infection of the mouth (thrush), throat or esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, and genitals.

Candidiasis is common cause of vaginal irritation (vaginitis), but can also occur in the male genitalia. In patients with low immune, candida infection can affect the esophagus with the potential of becoming systemic, causing more serious condition called candiemia.
For children, usually between the ages of 3-9 years can be affected by chronic mouth infection. Usually this is indicated by the presence of white color around the mouth (striped). However, this is not a common condition.

Type of yeast infection

Yeast infection can be divided into the following types:

- Oral candidiasis, yeast infection of the genus candida on the mucous membranes of the mouth.
- Perleche, injury and inflammation at the edge of the right/left outside the mouth, the cause is candida albicans.
- Candida vulvovaginitis, vaginal mucous membrane.
- Candidal intertrigo, infection of the skin.
- Diaper candidiasis, an infection in the area that covered the baby diapers.
- Congenital cutaneous candidiasis, skin infection in babies born prematurely.
- Perianal candidiasi, infections of the mouth of the anus skin.
- Candidal paronychia, infection of the nail folds.
- Erosio interdigitalis blastomycetica, infection of the finger skin.
- Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, chronic infection of the nails and mucosa skin.
- Sytemic candidiasis, an infection that spreads and causes blood poisoning, especially to those with low immune.
- Candidid, inflammation of the hand skin caused by fungi of the foot (like dermatophytids).
- Antibiotics candidiasis, it can occur due to overuse or various prescribing antibiotics (such as oxytetracycline, which is commonly used to control acne).
The effect of antibiotics is to reduce the bacterial flora commonly found in the gastrointestinal system, giving conducive environment for the proliferation of candida due to the absence of major competition. This situation may remain stable until the patients stop taking antibiotics.
Antibiotic effect that expected occurring in one area of the body will affect negatively on other area if the use of antibiotics is excessive. For example in the genital/pubic area. The normal bacteria flora found in the pubic area and not harmful to the body will be many killed by this antibiotic. The symptoms would appear redness and itching (the presence of fungus on the female genital and itching in male genital) which can occur during periods of antibiotic usage. The rash can be treated or controlled by a suitable antifungal drug, but the infection can be disappear when the balance of the amount of bacterial/nature fungal has been restored (when stopping use antibiotics).

Causes

Yeast candida usually present in humans and its growth is usually limited by the human immune system.
Specific microorganism in the human body that occupy the same location as the yeast candida (such as bacteria in the human body) can also inhibit the growth of this yeast candida.

Similarly that happened in the vagina, certain microorganisms can help people prevent the proliferation of candida. The use of chemical cleaners (detergents) in the vagina, spraying (water), and specific internal disturbances (hormonal or physiological) can disrupt the balance of that ‘ecosystem’.
In addition, pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptive has been reported as risk factors, while assuming the cleaning as soon as possible after having sex vaginal and anal sex by using lubricants containing glycerin remain controversial to this day.
Diabetes mellitus and the use of antibacterial antibiotics, particularly without medical supervision also associated with increased incidence of yeast infections.

Weakened immune and metabolic diseases such as diabetes becomes an important factor which significantly helped the development of candidiasis. Diseases or conditions associated with candidiasis such as HIV/AIDS, mononucleosis, cancer treatments, steroids, stress, and malnutrition. Nearly 15% of people who have less capable of developing immune system have a systemic disease caused by candida species. In extreme cases, candida infection that is usually quite mild on the skin or mucous membranes can enter the blood and cause systemic candida infections.

Cases of candidiasis penis (which is transmitted through vaginal or anal intercourse) may occur if the infected individuals have low immunity, antibiotics use without supervision, and diabetes.
Infection ‘male genital yeast’ is very rare and fewer incidents of infection (based on medical record) than the women. But male yeast infection is often occurred caused by direct contact via sexual intercourse with an infected partner.

Symptoms

Symptoms of candidiasis may vary depending on the affected/exposed area. Infections of the vagina or vulva can cause severe itching, burning, pain, and irritation, and cause spots whitish or gray-whitish on the skin or vaginal wall, often with a view like curd/cheese. Similarly that caused by bacterial vaginosis.
In a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2002), only 33% of women who actually treat yeast infection, while the rest only focus treating bacterial vaginosis (trichomonas vaginalis) or mixed infections.
Symptoms of male yeast infection include irritants that cause redness in the male genital near the head or the foreskin, itching, or burning sensation. Candidiasis of the penis can also cause white color, although rarely.

Prevention

- Avoid multiple sex partners.
- Use a condom (even though it was only possible to protect the sexual contact).
- Keep cleaning, but be careful against the use of certain chemicals that can damage the balance of microorganisms in the vagina and anus.
- Don’t take antibiotics without medical supervision because it can lead to fungal resistance to antibiotics in the future.

Diagnosis

Medical professionals can use two basic methods to diagnose yeast infections, microscopic examination and culturing.

Treatment

Clinically, candidiasis usually treated with a type of antimycotics (anti-fungal). However, the care or treatment should look the possibility of allergic reactions and side effects that may occur. Some brands of drugs have different level of contradictory reaction level with others. The role of the dose also affects the effectiveness, side effects, and type of yeast infection. in case of severe infections (generally in hospitalized patients) need special and intensive care.

Local treatment may include vaginal suppository (a drug capsule that inserted into the vagina) and douches (sprinkling the inside of the vagina). Gentia violet can be used for the breast area (for nursing mothers), but when used in large quantities may cause ulceration of the mouth and throat of the baby.

Treating candidiasis only with drugs not necessarily give the desired results, and research is needed for other possible cause of severe infection, repetitive condition, or not go away.
Candidiasis of the mouth can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as HIV infection or other immunodeficiency diseases. Maintaining vulvovaginal health can help prevent vaginal candidiasis.

Fungi C. Albicans can develop resistance against antimycotic drugs. Recurrent infection may be can treated with anti-fungal drugs, but resistance to these agents may also occur.

In homeopathy practices, homeopathic practitioners have long been using certain ingredients that are proven effective in treating candidiasis or yeast infection.
For how homeopathic way to treat this fungal infection, can see HERE.

Note:
Genus candida includes about 150 different species, but little is known to cause human infections. C. Albicans is the most significant pathogen species. In addition, there are types of pathogenic candida species that often infects. For example: C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis, and C. lusitaniae.