Candida Disease

Candida disease, better known as candidiasis, is a yeast infection that mostly affects the mouth, genitals or cuticles. Systematic candida can become life-threatening for people who have weak immune systems, such as those with AIDS and cancer.

Risk Factors

• Hot weather, poor hygiene, constrictive clothing, skin diseases and immunosuppression all increase risk of candida.

Symptoms

• The symptoms depend on the site of the infection. Some symptoms include: rashes, itching, raised skin, cracked skin and puss-filled skin inflammations.

Cause

• Humans commonly carry the candida fungus in the digestive tract. The immune system and "good" bacteria work to prevent the growth of the fungus, but in their absence candida can flourish.

Treatment

• Antifungal drugs (such as clotrimazole and fluconazole) and drying agents (such as gentian violet) are effective in treating yeast infections in most people.

Warnings

• Antibiotics can make a yeast infection worse. If a candida infection enters the bloodstream, it can become a potentially life-threatening condition.