Men are just as likely to develop symptoms of yeast infections as women. Yeast prefers specific environments that have plenty of moisture and darkness. Ideal places for yeast infections to grow on the body include behind the knees and elbows, skin folds, genitals and mouth. Women most commonly get vaginal yeast infections, and babies tend to develop diaper rash, another form of a yeast infection. Other common types of yeast infections include mouth yeast infections also known as thrush and nail bed yeast infections.
As you get older your chances of developing a yeast infection are higher. In the elderly most symptoms of yeast infections show up in nail beds, skin folds and dentures. The worst type of yeast infection you can get from Candida is a systemic disease that will spread throughout your body. Systemic Candida yeast infections can present more serious medical complications down the road, so it is important to be aware of signs that you may have a more serious problem then you standard yeast infection.
Yeast infections are caused by several different factors. The use of antibiotics and steroids can cause many symptoms of yeast infections as they can change your body’s chemistry, creating a favorable environment for yeast. Yeast infections will develop in individuals that have weakened immune systems. These type of yeast infections can be life threatening as your body cannot fight them off.
Some symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include itching, irritation and a white discharge. Sometime there is burning with urination or pain associated with sexual intercourse. Thrush or an oral yeast infection appears as white patches on the tongue and in the mouth. These white patches tend to be surrounded in red. Thrush is painful and can make eating difficult.
Systemic yeast infections inside the body are mainly due to a weakened immune system. Individuals with AIDS or are being treated for cancer can develop a yeast infection which can be life threatening. A yeast infection an also occur in a specific organ which will cause a variety of other symptoms. If the yeast infection should reach the blood stream then it has the potential to infect the brain which is very dangerous.
If you are taking over the counter medication and are not experiencing any relief then you should visit a doctor. If you are using over the counter medication and have a recurring yeast infection then you should go see a doctor immediately. Most skin yeast infections can be successfully treated with over the counter medication. A mouth yeast infection can only be treated with prescription medication.
Systemic yeast infections need to be treated in a hospital and you need to try and strengthen your immune system. For those that have severe thrush they may be dehydrated or have nutrient deficiency and this may require a hospital stay if it is severe. Yeast infections that are coupled with fever, vomiting, abdominal pain or chills then you may have a kidney yeast infection or other problems.
There are many symptoms of yeast infections that both men and women can show and the best way for finding a cure is to find a doctor who has had experience successfully treating patients who have had Candida and yeast infections. As a general warning, be cautious if the doctor wants to prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics to treat symptoms of yeast infections as these will likely only make matters worse.
Doc Walton is an expert on treating yeast infections and educates readers on the best methods of how to prevent yeast infection
