Yeast infection, also known as candidiasis is an infection caused by a fungi called candida albicans. Fungi live on the surface of your body. Conditions such as lowered body immune system, warm moist environments and antibiotic use can cause fungi overgrowth leading to yeast infections in skinfolds, mouth, nailbeds and groin areas. Recurrent yeast infections may be a sign of medical conditions such as AIDS and diabetes. Probiotics are used to treat and prevent yeast infections.
Antibiotics and Yeast Infections
Patients who take antibiotics to treat bacterial infections are more likely to develop yeast infections. Antibiotics destroy beneficial bacteria which help prevent yeast overgrowth. Patients who are prescribed antibiotics to treat bacteria infections such as pneumonia may experience yeast infections of the mouth, skin and groin areas. People with weakened immune systems may also develop serious systematic yeast infections after using antibiotics.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live friendly or beneficial bacteria that are similar to microorganisms found in the human gut, according to NCCAM. Probiotics help suppress the growth of disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, fungi and parasites. Probiotics also maintain balance between good and bad bacteria in the body. Probiotics are found in food and dietary supplements. Examples of foods containing probiotics include yogurt, buttermilk and acidophilus milk. Patients taking antibiotics are advised to take probiotics supplements to replace beneficial bacteria that are destroyed by antibiotics, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Antifungals
Yeast infections are treated using antifungals medications, which are available in form of tablets, suppositories, creams and oral rinses. Patients should make sure they finish the full dose of the antifungal drugs to prevent reinfections with new strains of candida albicans. Examples of antifungal medications include miconazole, clotrimazole and fluconazole. Severe yeast infections are treated using using intravenous medication called amphotericin B.
Yeast Infection Symptoms
Yeast infections symptoms can occur in both men and women. Patients with yeast infections experience symptoms such as painful cracks at the corner of the mouth, white patches in the mouth or throat that bleeds when scraped, rashes and blisters in the groin area, and skin rashes under the breasts. Women with vaginal yeast infections experience vaginal itching and white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
