Almost 75 percent of women are infected with vaginal candida, notes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Candida is a fungus that can be found in the mouth or vagina, according to MayoClinic.com. The fungus is usually kept under control by the immune system; however if the immune system is compromised, candida can grow in large enough numbers to infect the mouth and vagina. Candida can also infect the penis during sexual intercourse.
Bleeding of Affected Area
Both oral and vaginal candida infections can cause the affected areas to bleed, notes MedlinePlus. This is because the infected tissue is tender and fragile enough to tear and bleed. The bleeding usually occurs when the affected area is scratched or grazed.
Cheilitis
Oral candida infections often cause cheilitis, notes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cheilitis is essentially an inflammation of the skin around the mouth. Candida causes the corners of the mouth to chafe or become raw and cracked.
Inability to Perceive Taste
Oral candida infections also impair the sense of taste, notes MayoClinic.com. This is because an oral infection of candida usually affects the tongue thus impeding the taste buds.
Itchiness, Burning Sensation, and Pain
Both oral and vaginal candida infections cause itching and pain in the affected areas, notes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The pain can feel like a burning sensation. In the case of genital candida infections, burning pain is experienced when excreting urine, or engaging in sexual intercourse, explains MayoClinic.com. The itching and irritation are normally restricted to the opening of the vagina. Oral candida infections can sometimes spread to the throat causing pain and making swallowing difficult.
Pale Sores or Lesions
Candida causes pale sores or lesions in the oral and genital area, notes MedlinePlus. The lesions may be painless but can also be painful. The lesions may grow in size and spread to other areas near the infected area. Vaginal candida may also cause a viscous, odorless discharge in addition to the lesions.
Redness of the Affected Area
Candida infections also cause the infected area to appear red and swollen. Vaginal candida may cause the outermost areas of vagina to become inflamed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral candida causes inflammation in areas in and around the mouth.
