Candida is a genus category of microorganisms consisting of over 20 species of yeast. Candida albicans is the species that commonly becomes pathogenic in humans and creates yeast infections, known as candidiasis. According to "Candida Albicans: A Nutritional Approach," candidiasis frequently occurs in people with reduced immune response, due to AIDS or cancer for example, or in those who overuse antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals, as well as in those who have an acidic diet and are under severe stress. Generally, any major disruption of the normal flora and fauna of the body allows Candida species to grow unchecked and cause symptoms.
Skin and Nail Symptoms
During candidiasis, the Candida yeast can change into a fungal form, which burrows into tissue, causing damage, and releasing toxins. When this occurs on the outside of the body, usually in warm, moist areas, it's called a fungal infection. As noted by the Merck Manual, symptoms of external fungal infections include itchy skin rash, inflammation, and small blisters, which are usually confined to the underarms, breasts, skin folds and buttocks. Candida can also infect the fingernails and toenails, referred to as onychomycosis, which causes discolor, thickening, splitting and crumbling.
Oral Symptoms
Candidiasis of the mouth, also called oral thrush, is fairly common in immune-compromised people and young children on antibiotics. Symptoms of oral thrush include yeast-like white patches inside the cheeks, on the tongue and sometimes into the throat. The patches are best described as raised lesions and they can become painful, making it difficult to eat and swallow. People with oral thrush also develop musty smelling breath. According to the "Professional Guide to Diseases," about 9 out of 10 HIV infected people suffer from oral thrush.
Vaginal Symptoms
Another warm, moist location that Candida thrives is the vagina. Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, which is the most common cause of vaginitis, include vaginal itching and irritation, inflammation, pain with intercourse, burning with urination and a yeast-like, cheesy vaginal discharge. According to the Professional Guide to Disease, 3 out of 4 American women experience at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetimes.
Systemic Symptoms
Systemic candidiasis spreads throughout the body in the blood, frequently targeting the vital organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys and lungs. The result can be life threatening fungal infections like meningitis, endocarditis and nephritis. Symptoms of an intestinal tract Candida infection include cramping, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea with yeast-like discharge. In most immune compromised people, candidiasis starts as focal infections, but progresses to systemic infections up to 15 percent of the time, as estimated in the scientific journal, "Critical Reviews in Microbiology." Further, an estimated 45 percent of those with chronic, widespread systemic Candida infections die.
References
- "Candida Albicans: A Nutritional Approach"; Louise Tenney; 2007
- Merck Manual: Candidiasis
- "Professional Guide to Diseases - 9th Edition"; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008
- "Critical Reviews in Microbiology"; Candida Infections: An Overview; Frank C. Odds; 1987
