Candida Infections

What is a candida infection?

Candida infections, also known as candidiasis, happen when you have an overgrowth of Candida, a type of yeast that naturally lives on and inside your body. Candida is normally harmless, but sometimes it can multiply and cause an infection. 

Candida infections are common. They usually affect warm, moist areas like the mouth, throat, genitals and skin folds and cause itching and irritation.

A Candida infection could range from mild to severe, depending on what part of the body it affects and how healthy you are overall. These infections are usually easy to treat, but it’s important to recognize the symptoms early to avoid complications.

Types of Candida infections

There are four main types of Candida infections.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis) affects the mouth and throat. It often shows up as white or creamy patches on the tongue or inside the cheeks, gums or tonsils. The patches may be painful and make it hard to swallow. It might feel like you have cotton in your mouth. They may bleed if you scrape them.

Oral thrush is more common in infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, like those having chemotherapy treatment or living with HIV/AIDS. 

Vaginal yeast infections

Vaginal yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis) are common in women. Symptoms include itching, burning, redness and a thick, white discharge from the vagina that looks like cottage cheese and is usually odorless. Itching and burning may be worse when you urinate or have sexual intercourse. 

You may be more likely to get a vaginal yeast infection due to antibiotic use, pregnancy, diabetes, or hormonal changes. These infections are usually mild, but they can be uncomfortable and may come back if you don’t treat them properly.

Cutaneous (skin) candidiasis

Cutaneous candidiasis is a skin infection that usually affects areas where the skin is moist and warm, like the armpits, groin, under the breasts and skin folds, or between fingers and toes. With it, you might notice red, itchy, moist patches of skin, often with a white, creamy residue. Your skin may be scaly, sore, cracked or blistered. 

You’re more prone to these infections if you are overweight, have diabetes or sweat frequently. Keeping the skin dry and clean, wearing breathable clothing and managing health conditions can help prevent them.

Invasive candidiasis (systemic candidiasis)

Invasive candidiasis is a severe infection that can happen when Candida yeast enters the bloodstream and spreads to organs like the heart, brain, eyes, bones and joints. It is serious and can be life-threatening, especially in people with weakened immune systems, like those in intensive care units (ICUs), people who have received organ transplant or those having chemotherapy treatment. 

Symptoms vary depending on the organs affected but fever, chills and signs of sepsis are common. Diagnosing invasive Candidiasis quickly and treating it with antifungal medications is crucial.

Candida infection causes and risk factors

Candida infections can happen to anyone. They occur when the balance of microorganisms in your body is disrupted. That could be due to:

• Imbalance in body flora: Normally, your body’s healthy bacteria keep Candida levels in check. However, if factors like poor diet or illness disrupt this balance, Candida can multiply and cause an infection.
• Weakened immune system: A weakened immune system from illness, medications like chemotherapy and medical conditions like HIV/AIDS lowers your body’s ability to fight off infections.
• Using antibiotics, steroids or hormones: Antibiotics are used to kill harmful bacteria, but they can also destroy good bacteria and give Candida the chance to grow. Steroids and hormonal medications like birth control pills can also make Candida infections more likely.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels from diabetes that’s not well controlled can make it easier for Candida to grow, especially in the mouth and genitals.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes can affect the balance of bacteria and yeast in the body, making it easier for Candida to grow in the vaginal area.
• Infancy: Babies and infants are prone to the Candida infection that can cause diaper rash.
• Clothing choices: Wearing tight clothing or not drying off completely after bathing or showering can create the warm, moist environment where Candida can grow more easily.
• Wearing dentures: Dentures may make it easier for microorganisms to grow in your mouth.
• Using a catheter: Catheters also create an environment where microorganisms can grow.
• Stress: Stress can weaken your immune system and raise your blood sugar levels.
• Diet: Sugar, carbohydrates or yeast may cause Candida to grow or make infections worse.

What to do for a Candida infection

You might be able to treat mild cases of Candida infections with over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, ointments or suppositories. Common options include clotrimazole (Lotrimin), miconazole (Monistat) and terbinafine (Lamisil).

Some home remedies and lifestyle changes may also help treat Candida infections and keep them from coming back:

• Diet changes: You may find that cutting back on sugar and refined carbohydrates helps slow Candida growth. A diet rich in vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains may support a healthy balance of bacteria and yeast in the body.
• Hygiene: It can help to keep the affected area clean and dry, wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing and avoid harsh soaps or douches.
• Probiotics: Probiotics may help restore the balance of healthy bacteria in the body. You can get them through foods like yogurt and kefir or in supplements.

When to see a doctor

See a health care provider if:

• OTC products and home treatments aren’t helping.
• You get these infections often.
• You’ve very uncomfortable or you have complications like skin cracking, trouble swallowing or unusual discharge.
• You have a lot of swelling, redness or pain or difficulty breathing.
• You have symptoms of invasive Candidiasis like fever, chills or signs of sepsis such as rapid heart rate, a drop in blood pressure or confusion. Invasive candidiasis is serious and needs treatment right away.

Diagnosing and treating Candida infections

When you see a provider about your symptoms, they may:

• Inspect the area for signs of Candida infection.
• Ask you when your symptoms started, how severe they are and whether you’ve had them before.
• Ask about your medical history, including whether you’ve recently taken antibiotics or steroids.
• Assess whether things like diabetes, pregnancy or a weakened immune system may make you more likely to be infected.
• For oral thrush or vaginal yeast infections, swab the affected area and examine it under a microscope or culture it in a lab to check for Candida.
• For skin or nail infections, collect a small tissue sample to check for Candida.
• Take blood samples for suspected invasive candidiasis.

Your provider will check to see if you have a Candida infection or another condition like:

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Eczema or psoriasis
• Oral lichen planus
• Ringworm
• Fungal infections
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Getting treatment for Candida infection promptly can help manage your symptoms and keep it from getting worse. Your provider may recommend prescription antifungal medications such as:

• Those you apply directly to the affected area such as butoconazole (Gynazole-1) or terconazole (Terazol).
• Oral medications like fluconazole (Diflucan) or itraconazole (Sporanox). 
• Intravenous (IV) medications like echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin) or amphotericin B for invasive candidiasis.

Most infections clear up in two or three days after you finish treatment. Even if you don’t have symptoms anymore, you should keep taking your medication if that’s what your provider recommends. Completing your treatment plan can help keep the infection from coming back.

Preventing Candida infections

These steps may help keep you from getting Candida infections:

• Keep your skin clean and dry, since Candida thrives in warm, moist environments. Wash areas like skin folds and the groin with mild soap and water. Dry these areas thoroughly with a clean towel before you get dressed. 
• Limit foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, like white bread and pastries, since yeast thrives on sugar. 
• Choose a balanced diet rich in vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and probiotics to help maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms in the body. 
• Manage stress.
• Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing made from natural fibers like cotton. 
• Avoid wearing wet bathing suits or workout clothes for long periods of time.
• Maintain good oral health by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth especially after taking medications such as corticosteroids.
• Only use antibiotics when a health care provider prescribes them and take all of them as directed.
• If you have diabetes, work with your health care provider to keep your blood sugar levels in check.
• If you’re pregnant, practice good personal hygiene and avoid douches or harsh soaps. 

Getting care

If you think you might have a Candida infection or if your symptoms don’t clear up with OTC treatments, it's important to contact a health care provider. They can provide a diagnosis, recommend treatments and help address any conditions contributing to your infection. 

If you need to connect with help, turn to the professionals at Banner Health. Our experts can diagnose a Candida infection and recommend the best treatment options to clear it up and help you prevent infections in the future.