Candidiasis, risk factors, care, therapy and prevention

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candidiasis (or candidiasis) It is a fungal infection due to Candida genus. We can identify at least 20 different species of these fungi but the most common is Candida albicans.

Yeasts of C. generally colonize the intestinal tract, but they can also proliferate on the mucous membranes and on the skin without causing infection. One of their overgrowth, however, may determine the onset of disorders. The candidiasis symptoms are varied and depend on the part of the body affected; They are at higher risk of the skin areas most prone to sweating and moisture.

The infection which develops in the mouth or throat is called "thrush".
The vaginal infection is usually said vaginal candida.
The invasive candidiasis occurs when the fungi penetrate into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
The candida vaginal infections are very common among teenage and adult women: the 75% about women sooner or later in life she will be affected by candidiasis.

The vaginal infections damage:
pain,
prurito,
redness,
turbid vaginal discharge and white,
Pain during urination
the back, white spots on the skin of the vaginal area.
In most cases candida infections can be avoided by keeping dry and clean the genital area, but if your doctor can prescribe appropriate therapy infection .

Normally the vagina contains balanced families of yeasts (including Candida) and bacteria. The lactobacilli produce acids, that prevent an overgrowth of yeast.

The Candida albicans is the most common type of fungus origin of fungal vaginal infections, although sometimes they are responsible for other types of Candida. Infections caused by other fungi may be more difficult to treat and require more aggressive therapies.

Candida can proliferate in moist and dark environments, so the clothes (especially underwear) too tight or made of materials such as nylon that trap heat and moisture may promote the appearance of the infection.

With development and puberty hormonal changes can make girls more prone to candida infections: sometimes these infections occur just before menstruation.

Pregnant women are also subject to candida infections, but this generally does not represent a danger to pregnancy.

On the other hand, candidiasis is less likely in girls who are still in the prepubertal phase, but it is also possible in their case; if your daughter complains of itching or a feeling of discomfort in the vaginal area it is important to consult your pediatrician.

Although the infection can occur after some sexual practices, such as gold-genital sex, these infections are not considered sexually transmitted diseases by most gynecologists. Even non-sexually active women can have yeast infections.

Risk factors

Candida infections occur more frequently and with more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems; among other favorable conditions we mention:

use of antibiotics, which reduce vaginal lactobacilli by changing the pH,
use of unsuitable detergents,
pregnancy (but it generally does not represent a danger to gestation),
diabetes (especially if your blood sugar is out of control),
impaired immune system (due to illness or medications such as chemotherapy, cortisonici, antibiotics),
stress,
use of oral contraceptives or hormone therapies that increase estrogen levels

In case of male genital infections is detected:

redness,
presence of small wounds,
prurito,
sting.

How do you distinguish a candida infection from cystitis?

Since the two infections can have similar symptoms, for example, burning during urination, it is important to consult your doctor to determine the cause of the symptoms and treat them appropriately.

Complications
I sintomi, which can also be very annoying, They may persist over time; unfortunately it is increasingly common the detection of strains of candida multi-resistant to many active principles antifungals.

There is also a possibility of infection to sexual partners.

When to seek medical attention
You should contact your doctor in case of persistent symptoms of candida that does not subside after a few days of painstaking therapy with OTC drugs, or contact immediately in case of very severe symptoms.

It is particularly important to adhere perfectly to the treatments suggested by the package leaflets of the remedies for self-medication or, when prescribed, to the indications of the gynecologist / dermatologist; Unfortunately, as in the case of bacteria and antibiotics, Numerous strains with multiresistance to normal antifungals are also emerging for fungal infections, making it increasingly difficult to treat some infections.

Healing and therapy

There are various antifungal drugs effective against vaginal candidiasis, They are typically used vaginal suppositories or creams and the duration of treatment varies from one to seven days of therapy.

Mild to moderate infections can sometimes be treated with a single oral dose of the drug. This type of medicine to usual care infection (success rate of 80 and 90%), but in some patients the infection is resistant or recurrent shows. The short-term treatments should not be taken into account in recurrent or resistant infections.

When local approaches do not allow resolution of the infection is used in such oral therapies (by mouth).

Pending to seek medical attention may be useful to use wraps and washes with sodium bicarbonate.

Prevention

In most cases, it is possible to prevent infections from vaginal candidiasis using non-scented soaps and avoiding any type of spray or vaginal lavage. For some women some bath gels, lotions or laundry detergents can cause irritation, in turn, they can favor the appearance of candidiasis. We therefore recommend the use of delicate and non-perfumed intimate hygiene products, natural.

Cotton underwear may also be helpful, that does not trap humidity and does not prevent air circulation.

Then there are risk factors too tight and tight clothes or made of materials such as nylon that can trap heat and humidity (like tight jeans, nylon underwear and tights).

After swimming or exercising carried out wearing very tight cotton costumes and clothes, It is important to quickly change your swimsuit or wet or sweaty suit to put on dry clothes.

In some cases a low carbohydrate diet is recommended, but there is no evidence in the literature of real efficacy (while the goal of improving the quality of the carbohydrates taken is certainly acceptable, reducing / eliminating sweets and refined sugars.