Candida

Created: 03.08.2023

Updated: 04.01.2024

Approved by: Dr Binita Parmar

Candida is a type of fungus that naturally exists in the body. The most common type is Candida albicans. Thrush is a yeast infection caused by this fungus. Candida typically lives in the mouth, intestines, and vagina, and its growth is usually kept under control by the body’s normal bacteria.

Candida infections

The overgrowth of Candida can lead to infections. This can occur if there is a change in the body's environment, such as a weakened immune system, or if there is an imbalance in the body's microbiomes, such as due to the use of antibiotics or steroids. Candida infections can affect various parts of the body, including the mouth, skin, nails, intestines, and genitals. Symptoms of a Candida infection may include itching, soreness, burning, and redness.

Causes of fungal infections

In the mouth, it looks like white flakes and can cause red and sore gums. In the nappy area of babies, fungal infection can result in a red rash. Women may have a white discharge from the vagina and it may hurt to urinate during intercourse. You can get a fungal infection on the fingernails and toenails too.

Yeast likes to grow where it is warm and moist. It thrives best where the skin has been exposed to irritation. Athlete's foot, for example, often occurs in people who are active in sports. Fungal infections cope even better with a reduced immune system. It is common for it to occur with the overuse of steroids, and antibiotics, during pregnancy, and if you have diabetes.

Treatment of candida

Fungal infections are easy to diagnose and easy to treat. Sometimes this may require a sample being sent to the laboratory. For common fungal skin infections, a two week treatment with antifungal cream may be sufficient, and in addition a pessary or capsule for Vaginal Thrush. To prevent it from coming back, it is important to keep exposed areas as clean, and with the exception of the mouth and vagina, as dry as you can.