Candida Rash: Yeast Infection

Candida Rash: Yeast Infection

Candida Rash: Yeast Infection

We recently did a general literature review of topics concerning Candida infections, and the results were varied and interesting. Candida is being blamed by those in the alternative medicine community whom have blamed it for almost every human malady from ADD, chronic fatigue syndrome, bowel illness, and obesity, to a parade of other medical conditions. Medical doctors take a slightly different stance on Candida rashes. Candida is yeast which is ubiquitous and generally present everywhere in the environment including on our bodies. A limited number of candida yeast is kept in check by the immune system and can be found in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, skin, vaginal area, rectal area, under the breast, and inguinal areas; basically anywhere warm and moist. It can form rashes on the skin and thickened cracked nails when the skin barrier and immune system does not keep it in under control. In the vaginal tract a pH change caused by aggressive douching, another infection, pregnancy or a warmer moist milieu such as one created by wearing synthetic underwear can cause a yeast infection.

Candida likes warm, moist, and dark surroundings. A good example most parents can recognize is a diaper rash. Diaper rashes can be quite persistent and severe. The area covered by the diaper is moistened regularly by urine and fecal matter. The skin becomes inflamed and irritated, somewhat raw, and reddened. Candida moves in as an infectious agent that breaks down the healthy skin and enters the compromised skin. The same thing can happen to adults whose local defenses are altered by disease or medication use. For example: Vaginal yeast infections after antibiotic usage. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat a bacterial infection but these antibiotics do not discriminate the bad bacteria from the normal vaginal flora. This imbalance leads to a pH change and allows yeast to grow unhampered by the good bacteria that normally occupy that space. It is not uncommon to find a yeast infection in women with large pendulous breasts, the yeast inhabit the area under the breast and can be severely uncomfortable. The skin folds of an obese abdomen or in the armpit area are other areas preferred by candida. People with compromised immune systems like diabetics, HIV, bone marrow and organ transplant patients are not only much more prone to Candida infections, but can have life threatening infections in areas usually not attacked such as the esophagus.

Physicians can diagnose Candida infections by looking at a slide of the skin scrapings under a microscope or often by general clinical inspection. If a 20% potassium hydroxide solution is applied to the microscope specimen slide, the typical Candida organisms are seen. They look similar to an odd plant with ball-shaped buds branching out. Candida rash can often be treated with a topical antifungal cream. If the Candida infection is deeper in the skin or in the nails, oral systemic medicine must be given to penetrate where the Candida grows. Vaginal infections can be treated with vaginal creams, ointments, pellets, or an oral medication can be used. Testing before and during this strong medication application is necessary. The oral medications can rarely cause liver and other damage which must be monitored closely by the physician so a blood liver profile may be ordered. The physicians know when a Candida skin rash may be the manifestation of something more serious, and can order the appropriate tests. Most of the time, it is a strong nuisance which is easily resolved. See the doctor if there are any questions or concerns.

John Drew Laurusonis

Doctors Medical Center

www.doctorsmedicalctr.com

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