Between 150 and 200 species of Candida yeast exist, although few cause symptoms in people. Candida albicans is a species that can become virulent, mainly in people who have compromised immune function, an imbalance in their flora and fauna, or an acidic internal environment, according to Dr. Malcolm Richardson in his book, "Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management." Candida infection, or "candidiasis," is an overgrowth of yeast and fungus, which have a predilection for certain areas of the body.
Penile Candida and Balanitis
Candida prefers naturally warm and moist areas of the body, including the genitalia. Men with compromised immune systems, often from cancer, AIDS and diabetes, can develop candidiasis in and around the penis, especially if they have a foreskin. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the U.K., notes that the main symptom of penile candidiasis is balanitis, or inflammation of the penis. Balanitis can cause itchiness, redness, soreness, small red spots, pain with intercourse, burning pain with urination and discharge from the end of the penis. Additionally, a white cottage cheese-like yeast substance that smells musty might collect under the foreskin. For those who are allergic to yeast, penile candidiasis can cause the foreskin to swell and crack. Although penile candidiasis is not a sexually transmitted infection, the yeast may be passed on during sex.
Oral Moniliasis
Oral moniliasis is candidiasis in the mouth, or also known as "oral thrush." Moniliasis infects the mucosa of the inner cheeks and the surface of the tongue, forming white cheese-like plaques. Moniliasis occurs among children on antibiotics and chemotherapy, and is very common in the AIDS community. Dr. Richardson notes that around 90 percent of men with advanced HIV infections develop oral moniliasis. Other symptoms of oral moniliasis are moldy smelling bad breath, yeasty discharge from the mouth, pain with chewing and teeth brushing and difficulty swallowing. Oral moniliasis can cause or result from Candida infection of the throat.
Cutaneous Candida
Fungal infections of the skin can also result from immune deficiency or antibiotic use, but they occur more frequently in men who are diabetics or obese, especially in men who are unable to wash themselves properly. Common areas of Candida growth are the underarms, between the buttocks and under large folds of skin. Symptoms of skin candidiasis include itchy skin lesions, inflammation and redness, small blisters, infected hair follicles with pustules, and a moldy odor.
Onychomycosis
Onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails and fingernails, causes thickening, disfiguring, splitting, crumbling, and discoloration, ranging from white to brown. The fungus-form of Candida albicans can burrow into the nail-bed, which makes onychomycosis difficult to cure.
Systemic Candida
Systemic candidiasis only occurs in people with severely deficient immune function. The Candida yeast and fungus-forms circulate throughout the body through the blood, infecting the heart, brain, kidneys, intestines and eyes. Endocarditis, meningitis and kidney failure can result, among other life threatening conditions. A Candida review article in the scientific journal, "Critical Reviews in Microbiology," estimates about 15 percent of severe Candida infections within immune compromised patients become systemic, while the risk of death from systemic Candida complications is about 40 percent.
References
- "Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management"; Malcolm Richardson et al; 2003
- National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (U.K.): Candidiasis in Men
- MedlinePlus: Cutaneous Candidiasis
- MedicineNet.com: Onychomycosis
- "Critical Reviews in Microbiology"; Candida Infections: An Overview; Frank C. Odds; January, 1987
