Yeasts are fungi. They occur naturally in our bodies, on our skin and in our environment. Our body’s immune systems together with millions of natural “friendly” bacteria, essential for digestion, keep yeasts under control.
Normally yeast causes no symptoms and is harmless. It is only when, for some reason, the fungus multiplies excessively that we become aware of symptoms. That is what we generally refer to as a “yeast infection.” The types of yeast infection are mainly classified by where they occur in the body.
Yeast is known to grow more prolifically in moist warm conditions and need sugars to feed on. The most common type of yeast that causes infections in humans is Candida. Yeast infections are fairly easy to treat when diagnosed early, but can become resistant to anti-fungal treatments if not treated properly.
Other Predisposing Causes for Yeast Infections Are:
- After a course of antibiotics (the natural bacteria are killed or depleted).
- Certain medications such as prednisolone.
- Lowered immune systems after long illnesses or HIV/AIDS infections.
- Injuries to mucus membranes.
- Poor hygiene.
- Certain diseases like diabetes. If there are repeated yeast infections, diabetes may be an underlying factor.
- Inappropriate clothing – tight-fitting nylon underwear becomes damp and warm – ideal for yeast growth.
- After cancer treatments where the skin is thinned.
Yeast infections are treated with fungicides, but hygiene, and appropriate clothing are also essential to speed up treatment and change the “environment” where the yeast thrived. Keeping the area as dry as possible is also important and helpful.
Yeast Infections in Women:
A high percentage of women have naturally occurring candida present in their vaginas. A simple presence of yeast is not called an “infection” and does not need treatment. When yeast invades the surrounding tissues and symptoms occur, then it is considered an infection.
By far the most common yeast infection in women is vaginitis or vulvovaginitis. This describes the infection of the vagina or both vagina and vulva. The symptoms are itching, inflammation, pain when passing urine and during intercourse, burning, and a vaginal discharge. It is very uncomfortable, but easily treated.
Pregnant women, those on oral contraceptives and those who use douches or perfumed vaginal “hygiene sprays” are all more prone to yeast infections. All women with symptoms should be treated.
Yeast Infections in Men:
Yeast infections in men are often overlooked. Most men will not even know they have an infection of candida, they often only find out when their partner is treated for it. The infection can be transmitted through the sex partner and can travel up the urethra during sex. The outside temperature of mens genitals is lower than that of women, so the infection can lie dormant, but be passed on to the woman.
Some male yeast infections become evident through a urethral discharge, burning urine, a painful glans, itching of the penis and in the urethra. If it is a chronic yeast infection, the foreskin can thicken and harden then crack during an erection. This is extremely painful. Sometimes a yeast infection of the penis can be seen under the foreskin around the glans where it is warm and moist, a white “cheesy” substance will be noticed. This is very rare in circumcised men as their glans is open and remains dry.
Yeast Infections in Children:
Yeast infections in young babies are fairly common. Even at birth, a baby can be infected with yeast from the birth canal. The most common types of yeast in babies is thrush. Thrush appears as a curd-like white substance in the mouth which, when scraped off leaves a red and sometimes bleeding patch. Babies will go off their feed and be irritable, often dribbling excessively. Thrush infection extends down the throat and into the intestines and may cause diarrhea.
Contact with other family members, or poor hygiene of feeding bottles and during formula preparation are the usual causes. An infection of thrush often follows a course of antibiotics. The other form of infant yeast infections is in the nappy area and may present as “nappy rash.” It is often the result of poor hygiene, leaving baby with a wet nappy, or using plastic pants over the nappy. Little girls can get a candida vaginal infection, sometimes due to self exploration or just poor hygiene once more. Symptoms are redness, itching, pain when passing urine and a possible discharge. Treatments always include fungicides, but the underlying predisposing causes should be dealt with too.
Other Common Yeast Infections Include:
- Ringworm.
- Athletes foot.
- Fungal nail infections where the nail thickens, discolors and distorts.
- Digestive problems, which present as bad breath, bloating, gas, indigestion, sometimes diarrhea, jock itch, cravings for sweets and high carbohydrate snacks – the yeast needs sugars.
Yeast infections are very common, are often overlooked in the early stages, but can cause distressing symptoms. They are treatable and can be avoided in most cases by good hygiene and keeping the areas dry. It is good to be aware of the types of yeast infections so you can recognize them and get early treatment.
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