All symptoms of yeast infections are caused by the yeast species, Candida. Candida is naturally found living on your skin, in your digestive tract and mucus membranes. As long as you are healthy and your G.I. tract is in balance, then the yeast is kept in check. However, when something happens and your G.I. tract goes out of balance, then the yeast can grow to large numbers and cause an infection.
Yeast like to live and grow in very specific conditions as they like warm and moist places. Some areas that typically can develop yeast infections include skin folds, the underarms, genitals, the mouth and behind the knees and elbows. Babies tend to develop symptoms of yeast infection under their diapers. The most common yeast infections are nail bed infections, vaginal yeast infections, thrush or mouth yeast infections and diaper rash.
As you get older you have a greater chance of developing yeast infections because your body has a harder time remaining in balance and smaller issues will cause large changes. While most symptoms of yeast infections are not too serious, if you develop a systemic yeast infection, then this can be dangerous, as individuals with a systemic infection can develop more serious medical complications. Additionally, a recurring yeast infection that does not respond to treatment, may be a sign of a more serious health issue that is compromising your immune system.
You can develop a yeast infection when taking antibiotics because the antibiotics kill off the good bacteria that live on and in your body that regulate yeast growth. The antibiotics are actually promoting yeast growth by changing your body’s environment. Steroids and birth control can also change the body’s chemistry so that yeast infections have a greater chance of developing which is why women are more prone to developing yeast infections.
Some symptoms of yeast infections on your skin include irritation, itching and sometimes a white discharge. For women with a vaginal yeast infection they may have pain with sexual intercourse of a burning sensation when urinating. An oral yeast infection, also known as thrush, will develop red patches that have overlying white patches. Thrush can make eating very painful and dehydration can occur.
Systemic yeast infections inside the body are mainly due to a weakened immune system. Individuals with AIDS or are being treated for cancer can develop a yeast infection which can be life threatening. A yeast infection an also occur in a specific organ which will cause a variety of other symptoms. If the yeast infection should reach the blood stream then it has the potential to infect the brain which is very dangerous.
If you have a yeast infection and over the counter medication does not work or your yeast infection only gets worse then you should visit a doctor. If you have a recurring yeast infection then you should see your doctor immediately as you may have more serious health condition. Oral thrush can only be treated with prescription medication. Most yeast infections can be treated with over the counter medication.
A small amount of individuals with very severe yeast infections will need to go to the hospital for treatment. If you have thrush and have not eaten or drunk anything for a long time then you will need help, if you have a yeast infection coupled with chills, vomiting, fever or abdominal pain then you may have a kidney infection or appendicitis and will need treatment immediately.
There are many symptoms of yeast infections that both men and women can show and the best solution is to find a doctor who has a track record of successfully treating patients who have had Candida and yeast infections. Be careful, however, if your doctor wants to prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics to treat your yeast infection as this will only likely make matters worse.
Doc Walton is an expert writer on how to learn the symptoms of a yeast infection so that readers know how to cure a yeast infection on their own without expensive drugs.