Candida is a common yeast microorganism, a fungus, normally found on our skin and in our intestinal tracts. It is an opportunistic organism that overgrows normal bacteria when the conditions are just right. Factors such as hot weather, poor hygiene, antibiotic therapy and immunosuppressive medication can lead to an overgrowth of candida. This microorganism can cause infections of the skin and mucous membranes in otherwise healthy people and serious systemic infections in those with compromised immune systems, according to PubMed.
Cutaneous Infections
Candida infections of the skin, called cutaneous infections, are quite common. These cutaneous infections occur most often in the warm, moist skin folds, such as the armpits, groin, around the nails and beneath the breasts, according to the Merck Manuals. Candida infections can also appear as a diaper rash in infants. The symptoms of cutaneous candida infections include a skin rash that enlarges, itching, redness and possibly pimples around the hair follicles. These skin infections are relatively easy to treat with topical anti-fungal medications.
Oral Infection
A candida infection inside the mouth is called thrush and can be quite painful. It is named "thrush" for the white spots that form in the mouth that resemble the white spots on a thrush's breast. Thrush occurs most often in denture wearers, newborns and those with HIV. According to MayoClinic.com, the symptoms include creamy, white patches; possibly bleeding lesions; loss of taste; cracking at the corners of the mouth, and pain called perleche. Thrush may spread to the esophagus, where it is more difficult to treat.
Genitourinary Tract Infections
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 percent of all women experience at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetimes. Vaginal yeast infections occur more frequently in those who are pregnant, are diabetic, on antibiotics or have suppressed immune systems. The symptoms include a cottage cheese-like discharge, itching, redness, painful urination and painful intercourse. Rarely, men can acquire a yeast infection of the penis, causing redness and soreness, called balinitis. Candida is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease.
Systemic Infections
Candida can enter the bloodstream and cause a systemic infection, called invasive candidiasis, which spreads throughout the body, according to the CDC. It is extremely rare in healthy patients; however, low-birth-weight infants, post-surgical patients, those with compromised immune systems such HIV patients, and hospital patients with a central venous line are most likely to develop a systemic candida infection. The symptoms are non-specific, but fever and chills that do not respond to antibiotics can be one indication of a systemic candida infection.
