Candidiasis

Tiny living things called yeast can cause an infection.

They like to stay in wet places. These tiny things can grow on your skin. They can also grow in your mouth.

This might make white spots on your tongue. It can make your mouth feel sore. Some people get an itchy rash on their skin.

Most people can get better with help from a doctor. Have you ever had an itchy spot?

Yeast is a tiny living thing. Some types of yeast cause an infection called candidiasis.

Most people have this yeast in their bodies. It usually lives on the skin or in the mouth. Your immune system, which is your body's defense, keeps it from growing too much.

Sometimes the yeast grows too fast. This can happen if you take antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bad germs, but they can also kill the good germs that fight the yeast.

It can also happen if your immune system is weak.

If the yeast is in your mouth, it is called thrush. You might see white patches on your tongue. It can make swallowing feel sore.

In women, a yeast infection can cause itching or burning. It may also cause a white discharge. Some people get itchy skin or nail problems.

In rare cases, the yeast can move into the blood. This is a very serious sickness. Doctors can use special medicines to stop the yeast and help you feel better.

Candidiasis is a type of infection caused by tiny yeasts. These yeasts belong to a group called Candida.

Most people actually have these yeasts living on their skin or in their mouths. Usually, the body's immune system keeps the yeast from growing too much. However, sometimes the yeast grows too fast and causes trouble. This can happen in many different parts of the body. It can affect the mouth, the skin, or even the nails.

How the infection works depends on where the yeast grows. In the mouth, it is often called thrush. You might see white patches on your tongue or throat. This can make swallowing feel very sore.

In women, a vaginal yeast infection can cause itching or burning. It might also cause a white discharge that looks like cottage cheese.

If the yeast is on the skin, it can cause redness and itching. In very rare cases, the yeast can enter the bloodstream. This is called a systemic infection and can be very serious.

Many things can change how the yeast grows in the body. One reason is when the immune system is weak. This might happen to people with diabetes or HIV/AIDS.

Taking certain medicines like antibiotics can also help the yeast grow. Antibiotics kill many germs, but they can also kill the good germs that fight yeast. Other factors include being pregnant or wearing dentures. Even wearing wet swimwear for a long time can be a risk for skin infections.

Doctors have many ways to find out if someone has candidiasis. They might look inside the mouth for white patches. For other areas, they may use a tiny swab to take a sample.

They can look at this sample under a microscope. They might use a special liquid called KOH to see the yeast cells better.

They can also grow the yeast in a lab on a special plate. This helps them see exactly which type of Candida is growing.

Once a doctor finds the infection, they can use medicine to help. For mouth infections, doctors often use topical medicines like clotrimazole.

These are applied directly to the area. For more serious or widespread infections, doctors might use medicine through an IV. About 75 percent of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lives. While it can be uncomfortable, most cases are easy to treat with the right help.

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by yeasts in the genus *Candida*.

These yeasts are often part of the normal flora, which means they live naturally on our skin and inside our mouths and intestines. Usually, the human immune system and competition from other microorganisms like bacteria keep their growth in check. However, if this balance is disrupted, the yeast can multiply uncontrollably. This can lead to localized infections or, in rare cases, much more serious systemic issues. Understanding how these yeasts behave helps us manage the different types of infections they cause.

The mechanism of infection often involves an imbalance in the body's natural environment. *Candida* requires moisture to grow, which is why wearing wet swimwear for long periods can affect the skin.

In the body, the yeast can overgrow if the immune system is weakened or if the natural bacteria are removed. For example, taking antibiotic therapy can kill the bacteria that normally compete with the yeast for resources. This leaves more room and food for the *Candida* to grow. In the vagina, disturbances like hormonal changes or the use of certain detergents can also allow the yeast to take over. This overgrowth leads to inflammation and the symptoms we recognize as an infection.

Candidiasis presents in many different forms depending on where it affects the body. Mucosal candidiasis involves the mucous membranes, such as the mouth, esophagus, or genitals. Oral candidiasis is commonly known as thrush and often appears as white patches on the tongue or throat.

In women, vaginal candidiasis can cause intense itching and a white, cottage cheese-like discharge.

For men, an infection of the penis is known as candidal balanitis. It can cause redness, swelling, and even difficulty retracting the foreskin. There are also skin infections and nail infections, the latter of which is called onychomycosis.

Medical history shows that certain groups are more likely to experience these infections. Oral infections are most common in infants under one month old, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems. For instance, about 6% of babies under a month old have oral infections. About 20% of people with AIDS and 20% of those undergoing chemotherapy also develop the disease. Vaginal infections are very common, with about 75% of women experiencing at least one yeast infection during their lives. Risk factors for these infections include pregnancy, diabetes, and the use of corticosteroids. People recovering from surgery or those in intensive care units are also at higher risk for more invasive types.

In rare and serious cases, the infection can become invasive or systemic. This means the yeast enters the bloodstream, a condition known as candidemia.

Systemic infections can spread to the central nervous system and cause symptoms similar to meningitis. For those with weakened immune systems, nearly 15% may develop a systemic illness caused by *Candida*. In the esophagus, the infection can be particularly dangerous for people with a condition called achalasia. Esophageal candidiasis can cause painful swallowing, nausea, and vomiting. It is even considered a risk factor for developing esophageal cancer in certain individuals.

Doctors use several methods to diagnose candidiasis. For mouth infections, they may simply look for white patches. For other areas, they use a swab to take a sample for microscopic examination.

One common technique involves adding a 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution to a specimen. The KOH dissolves the human skin cells but leaves the *Candida* cells intact so they can be seen. Doctors can also grow the yeast on a culture medium in a lab to identify the specific species.

For deeper issues in the gastrointestinal tract, doctors might use an endoscopy to take a sample.

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection. For oral thrush, topical medications like clotrimazole or nystatin are often effective. Vaginal infections are also frequently treated with topical antifungals. If the infection is widespread or systemic, doctors may use intravenous medications. These might include fluconazole, itraconazole, or amphotericin B. For very serious cases, a class of drugs called echinocandins, such as caspofungin, may be used. By using the correct medicine for the specific type of infection, doctors can help manage the symptoms and prevent the yeast from spreading further.