So what is Candidiasis and what symptoms do I need to be on the lookout for? Well, to break it down simply it is a type of infection that is caused by yeast. This yeast lives all over our bodies and at certain times when overgrowth occurs it will begin to get infected. This especially happens in the moist areas of the body. Let's discuss some of the symptoms of candidiasis. Since it varies by area I'll go over a few instances by location.
For women, the candidiasis often comes in the form of a vaginal yeast infection. Some of the symptoms include a white cheese like discharge which can itch and irritate the tissues that surround the vagina. Occasionally it can make sex painful and lead to a burning sensation when urinating.
For babies and adults, candidiasis many come in a few forms. When it occurs orally it referred to as "thrush." Some of the symptoms include thick white marks on top of a red plate that usually appear on the tongue but can happen anywhere in the mouth. When infected the tongue may also appear red without the normal white coating. This form of infection can be quite painful making eating hard. One needs to be careful to not get dehydrated when with "thrush."
Candidiasis can also break down the outside layers of the skin. This normally happens in warm or moist areas such as diaper regions in infants and skin folds. This infection often looks like a flat reddish rash with sharp looking edges. There are normally other small rash like areas nearby, called "satellite lesions." Usually this infection can cause the sufferer to itch along with some moderate discomfort.
For people that have weak immune systems, candidiasis can affect many different internal organs and lead to pain or dysfunction. For instance many people with AIDS contract an infection called "esophagitis" which is similar to "thrush" but occurs in the esophagus and stomach. If candidiasis makes it to your bloodstream, you could fall ill. If it makes its way to the brain it could lead to sudden changes in mental states and function.