Yeast Infection Symptoms

A yeast infection is a fungal infection that affects several different body areas. It is caused by the Candida albicans fungus which is normally harbored in the body in small amounts. Whenever the Candida species is overgrown in the body, an infection can occur. The yeast infection symptoms are different depending on the body area affected.

An oral infection with Candida albicans gives the following yeast infection symptoms. The mouth can be sore or itchy on the inside and the mouth can have considerable whitish coating on the tongue and the sides of the mouth. It usually occurs in small babies or in those who have poor immune systems. There is treatment for this disorder which involves the taking of nystatin troches or using nystatin liquid swished inside the mouth or just squeezed using a dropper on the inside of the mouths of babies. Some doctors swab the inside of the mouth with a dye called gentian violet that coats the tongue and kills the fungus.

Skin infections involving Candida have a different set of yeast infection symptoms. The skin may feel like it burns or itches and it is generally red and moist in appearance. It occurs in the folds of the skin such as in stomach folds, breast folds and groin creases, where a person tends to sweat more and where there isn't a lot of air circulating. The treatment for this type of condition includes using nystatin powder or cream. The powder works best because it dries the skin as well as kills the fungus. You need to keep the skin as clean and dry as possible to prevent recurrences.

The vaginal yeast infection is probably the most common type of Candida infection. It affects women of all ages and is more common in those who are immune suppressed, diabetes, those who eat a lot of sugar, those on antibiotics and those who are sensitive to dyes and perfumes in their underwear. Nylon underwear also contributes to vaginal yeast infections as opposed to cotton underwear, which breathes better.

The vaginal yeast infection symptoms associated with vaginal Candida are extreme itching, burning pain in the vulvar and vaginal area and a discharge, which is thick and whitish in color. It is generally very uncomfortable. The treatment involves the use of vaginal creams or ovules, particularly with nystatin or clotrimazole, among others. The cream is inserted into the vagina using prefilled syringes or solid ovules and there is often a cream to apply to the outside. The yeast infection symptoms generally go away after about a week.

Intestinal Candida infections involve the colon of the intestines. There is normally a lot of bacteria in the colon which help the body in digestion and a little bit of yeast. With the use of antibiotics or being a diabetic, an individual is at higher risk for getting an intestinal infection of the colon. The yeast infection symptoms of intestinal infections include abdominal cramping and bloating, constipation or diarrhea. The treatment involves using probiotics, which are capsules of healthy bacteria that grow in the intestines and take the place of the yeast infection. Probiotics can be purchased at a health food store.

There is also a way to cure yeast infection naturally as described by Sarah Summer Natural Cure for Yeast Infection.