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What are Yeast Infections?
Yeast infections are one of the most common health problems that bother people. Most can be cured or kept under control with good habits and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
The 3 most common are:
- Jock itch is a red rash that starts in the genital area and spreads to the inner thighs, anal area, and buttocks.
- Vaginal yeast infections are common in women between the ages of 20 and 40, and they are often caused by taking antibiotics or birth control. Changes in your hormones from your period, being pregnant, or having high blood sugar can also put you at risk.
- Penile inflammation (balanitis) causes the head of the penis to swell and turn red. It is hard to get rid of and often comes back in men who haven’t had their testicles removed.
Yeast infections can also happen to babies and kids. Most of the time, diaper rash in babies and toddlers is a skin infection caused by the same fungi that cause yeast infections in moist parts of the body. You can get rid of the rash by changing your clothes often and, if needed, using medicated powders.
Symptoms
Superficial Infections
Most people notice that their skin is red and itchy. Some people have said that yeast infections make them feel tired and sad, but this is not based on scientific research.
- For men, jock itch causes itching. You may also have a burning feeling in your groyne. Penile inflammation causes redness and swelling.
- Most of the time, a woman with a vaginal yeast infection will have redness and swelling of the vagina, labia, and nearby tissue. But some people don’t have any signs, and others may have some signs, but they may not hurt and last a long time. Some infections can also cause strong itching or burning that hurts when you urinate or have sex. The infection may also lead to a thick, white fluid that looks like cottage cheese.
Invasive Infections
There are no sure signs that these infections are present. Some don’t go away and cause fever and chills. If the infection spreads to other parts of the body, there may be different signs depending on where it goes. Fungi in the environment can cause mild breathing problems or symptoms that look like the flu.
Causes
Yeast is often used to describe infections caused by fungi, which are:
- appear in nature as molds, mildews, mushrooms and yeast
- are more complex than viruses or bacteria
- number more than 100,000 species, with only 200 causing disease
Candida albicans is probably to blame. Even though yeast infections happen to a lot of people, they shouldn’t be a big deal if you’re healthy.
Superficial Infections
- affect the skin
- are not easy to spread
- Candida is always in and on the body, but it can grow if the pH or hormone balance changes.
Invasive Infections
Even though most yeast infections don’t hurt you, some can get into your bloodstream and cause an infection inside your body. You are more likely to get hurt if you:
- have high blood sugar
- use steroids
- have had an organ transplant
- have a weakened immune system
- have a major illness like AIDS, cancer, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis
Because they take hold when your immune system is weak, many infections are called secondary or opportunistic. In some clinical settings, fungi can also spread to other parts of the body. Long stays in hospitals put you at more of a risk. Patients who use catheters for a long time may also get the fungus in their urinary tract.
Aspergilla and Cryptococcus are two types of fungi that live in the environment that can cause opportunistic infections. Other types of fungi that can be found in soil, on animals, or on trees are:
- Blastomyces: found in the Midwest, on the shores of lakes, rivers and ponds
- Coccidioides: found in the hot, dry climate of deserts
- Histoplasma: found in building sites, bird sanctuaries or caves with bats
Diagnosis
- Surface infections can be found with a physical exam and, if necessary, a microscopic exam and a fungal culture.
- Standard lab tests can sometimes find invasive or opportunistic infections. If you keep getting red or white blood cells in your urine, which are signs of swelling, your doctor will know there is a deeper problem. You might need an ultrasound or CT scan to find out if the effects are on your kidney or bladder.
Treatment
Superficial Infections
Skin and groyne infections can be cured or kept from getting worse if you keep yourself clean. It’s best to take frequent baths and wash or change your clothes, especially when it’s hot or after you’ve been sweating.
- Most people can get rid of a superficial infection like jock itch by putting antifungal creams on their skin. You can buy these creams as over-the-counter drugs. They have many names such as butoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole and terconazole. For infections that last for a long time, you may need a stronger drug like nystatin or one that you take by mouth, like fluconazole or Lamisil®.
- Most vaginal infections can be treated with suppositories or creams that are put in the vaginal area. Drugs that are taken by mouth, like fluconazole or ketoconazole, can help with an infection that keeps coming back. If you have vaginal infections that last a long time or keep coming back, you may need to switch the way you prevent pregnancy.
- If a man who hasn’t been circumcised doesn’t get better from an infection at the head of his penis by putting creams on his skin, he may need to be circumcised.
- About a third of the time, taking out or changing a catheter will get rid of a urinary fungal infection. Antifungal drugs (amphotericin B) flushed into the bladder or systemic drugs (oral or IV fluconazole or IV amphotericin B) taken by mouth or by IV will work well for 60% of patients.
Invasive Infections
Invasive yeast infections need drugs that work on the whole body, like amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, and caspofungin, as well as newer drugs related to fluconazole (posaconazole).
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