Different Type of Yeast Infections

Yeast infections can affect the skin, mouth, intestines and vagina. They are caused mostly by the Candida albicans organism although other yeast species can be involved. The most common type of yeast infection is a vaginal yeast infection which yields symptoms of itching, burning and a thick, cottage cheese discharge that cakes the lining of the vagina.

Candida yeast infections of the vagina are more common in those who are taking antibiotics for another reason, on those who eat too much sugar or are diabetic. Women with immune deficiency can be bothered by yeast infections on a regular basis. Even women who wear underwear that doesn't breathe or is too tight can become prone to Candida yeast infections. A lot of women are allergic to perfumes, dyes and soaps that are used to wash underclothing. Such irritation can yield a yeast infection.

Candida yeast infection is actually a sexually transmitted disease. Men have little or no symptoms but can harbor the Candida species on their penis. The woman can get the yeast infection after having intercourse with a man who has the Candida on their penis. This is a common cause of recurrent infections that don't get better over time.

Candida can infect the moist and dark areas of the skin, most commonly under the breasts or in the groin folds. In babies, it can be a cause of a diaper rash. The way you know a diaper rash is a yeast infection is because there are satellite lesions that crop up outside the basic area

f redness. You'll see the same lesions along with a macerated red skin lesion if it affects adults with the disorder.

When Candida affects the mouth, it causes a white coating on the tongue and the rest of the mouth. It is most common in infants and in the immune suppressed. If infants are affected, you need to boil all of the pacifiers and the baby bottle nipples so as to limit reinfection. Sometimes a breastfeeding mom needs to treat her nipples so she doesn't pass it around to the infant again.

When Candida affects the intestines, it wipes out the healthy bacteria of the gut leading to diarrhea or constipation, bloating and cramping of the colon. Such an infection primarily affects the colon and causes the colon to become leaky. Candida organisms and undigested food can pass through to the blood stream and give lots of allergy symptoms like joint aches and pains, extreme fatigue and intestinal upset.

Except for Systemic Candidiasis, the other forms of Candida are easy to treat. The vaginal infections can be treated with vaginal yeast creams, ovules or prefilled syringes with anti-yeast medication. Skin yeast infections are treated by cleaning and drying the skin and by using antifungal creams or powders. Oral thrush is treated by using a nystatin liquid and swishing and swallowing it in the mouth a couple of times per day. The mouth must be cleansed with a toothbrush which must be boiled after the treatment.

You can also treat yeast infections naturally. Learn the natural cure for yeast infections as described by Sarah Summer.