Candida Infection Its Causes Symptoms and Cure

Candida is a very common yeast-like fungus that causes several kinds of diseases; among them is Candidiasis, a condition characterized by the presence and overgrowth of the Candida albicans fungi in the body.

Since Candidiasis is caused by a yeast-like fungus, the infection is also commonly referred to as a yeast infection. Although it is said that Candida fungi are ubiquitous (in fact 80% of all persons with normal skin have the fungus on their skin), not everyone develops infection. Good bacteria in the body and the immune system control their growth; however, due to some factors such as the intake of antibiotics, their growth becomes unmanageable.

Infection can be triggered other factors such as intravenous catheters, ulceration, surgery, trauma, premature birth and organ transplants.

Symptoms of the Candidal infection depend on the kind of infection the person has. Usually the infection affects a localized area of the skin; the infection is called Cutaneous Candidiasis. Symptoms include itchiness, inflammation of the skin and rashes.

Oral or thrush Candidiasis affects the mouth and is characterized by moisture in the area around the lips, red patches on the tongue and cheeks. When the fungal infection in the mouth is not cured, Candida fungus may reach the esophagus. This condition is called as Esophagitis Candidiasis. The infection causes inflammation of the esophagus, making it hard for the patient to swallow. Also, he may experience chest pain.

Vaginal candidiasis, which affects the female genitalia, is characterized by itchiness and soreness of the genitals, thick white or yellowish discharge, burning sensation, and flaking of the skin.

Paronychia, a candidal infection of the nails, is manifested by the swelling of the area surrounding the fingernails or toenails. Pus usually develops in the infected area and this needs to be drained to treat the infection.

Infection of the reparatory tract varies in terms of severity from one person to another. It can be mild on some patients and fatal to some, especially to those with very weak immune system due to an illness. Symptoms are like those of pneumonia.

When the fungus reaches the bloodstream, it becomes a root cause of many disorders. As it destroys the cells and the tissues, it makes the person weak and vulnerable to illnesses and abnormalities ranging from bad breath to indigestions, ulcers, diarrhea, chronic fatigue, skin allergies and a lot more. In severe cases, Candida fungus infection can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

Overgrowth of the fungi can be easily treated by means of antifungal ointments for some but others, especially for critically ill patients, oral medication is necessary. The kind of treatment also differs from one patient to another depending on the location of the fungus infection and the kind of Candida fungus that caused the infection.

Home treatments can also be done instead of antifungal drugs; among these are eating or application of yogurt on the infected area (yogurt contains good bacteria), and application of crushed garlic (garlic produces an antifungal substance called allicin).

Persons with serious cases of the infection may need to undergo surgical removal of the part infected with the fungus. Like for example in the case of a person with endocarditis, infection of the lining of the heart, the valve needs to be removed and replaced.

Antifungal drugs are still necessary after the surgery to prevent multiplication the Candida fungus.