candidiasis treatment

Candidiasis Infection: What is It

Candidiasis Infection: Candidiasis Causes, Candidiasis Treatment, Candidiasis symptom- Candidiasis is the infection caused by a type of fungus known as candida and can affect different parts of the body. "If the candidiasis is oral, we know it as thrush, producing inflammation of the esophagus if it extends to this area. There are also vaginal and genital infections caused by candida, as well as candidiasis on the skin, creating rash and itching. If candidiasis spreads to the blood, it is more dangerous, "explains Carmen Navas, a gynecologist at the Vithas la Salud Hospital (Granada).

They are part of the group of the most frequent diseases and it can even be said that practically all people throughout their life will ever suffer. There are three types of human mycosis: superficial, intermediate-like candidiasis-and deep. The usual ones in Spain are superficial ones and candidiasis. In this section, we will discuss mucocutaneous candidiases, whose pathogenic agent is Candida albicans.

Candidiasis Infection: Candidiasis Causes, Candidiasis Treatment, Candidiasis  symptom

Candidiasis causes

The majority of Candida species are saprophytic and can be part of the cutaneous flora, with the exception of Candida albicans, which when found on the skin is the etiological agent of primary candidiasis. There are multiple predisposing factors to candida infection: some depend on the host and others on environmental conditions.

Among the first are the physiological, genetic and acquired. Thus newborns, women in the premenstrual period or pregnant women, patients with Down syndrome, diabetes, lymphoma, leukemia, who take antibiotics or corticosteroids or immunosuppressants or have debilitating diseases, are more likely to suffer from this dermatosis. Among the environmental factors, they favor the infestation: humidity, heat, chronic maceration (for example, of the commissures in the elderly), dental prostheses poorly adjusted, friction between two skin surfaces.

 Navas exposes the causes schematically:

  • Situations that alter the intestinal or genital protective flora, such as the prolonged intake of antibiotics.
  • Situations that increase the amount of blood glucose: diabetes, overweight, obesity, excessive intake of alcohol or carbohydrates.
  • Excessive and excessive humidity.
  • Situations that decrease the function of the immune system: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), transplants, chemotherapy, etc.
  • Use of underwear of synthetic materials.
  • Hormonal changes in situations of pregnancy or hormonal contraception

Candidiasis Infection: Candidiasis Causes, Candidiasis Treatment, Candidiasis  symptom

Symptom

The symptoms vary depending on the location. From the dermatological point of view, mucosal and cutaneous candidiasis are of interest. Among the first and affecting the mucous is the thrush. This manifests as creamy, whitish plates that converge on the back of the tongue, soft palate, gingival and genital mucosa. When they come off they reveal a red and congested mucosa. The infection can also be manifested as a red, smooth, shiny and painful tongue or as an affectation of the mouth commissures in the form of triangular plates, with scales and fissures in the center or affecting the lips, mainly the lower one with adherent scales of color grayish and erosions.

The genito-perianal mucosa is another common location for these infections, accounting for 20-30 percent of vaginal infections. It presents as reddening and edema of the labia minora that may extend to the labia majora, perineum, inguinal folds and interlude, accompanied by itching and "burning". The same affectation can affect male external genitalia. Within cutaneous candidiasis, we are going to make reference to two pictures: the candidiasis of the creases or intertriginous candidiásicos and the onychomycosis.

In summary, Navas points out that candidiasis usually presents with redness, a thick whitish secretion, a burning sensation or itching, and sometimes inflammation and pain.

Prevention

  • If prolonged intake of antibiotics is necessary, it is recommended during or after treatment to take intestinal probiotics and intimate flora to control the excess growth of candida. 
  • Changes in the diet with reduction of alcohol intake, sugars, and carbohydrates. 
  • Adequate glycemic control in diabetic patients.
  • Avoid prolonged humidity, making a proper drying after bathing in the pool and the sea.
  • Use underwear from more natural materials and avoid excessively tight clothing. 
  • Maintaining good hygiene usually prevents episodes of candidiasis. It is important to thoroughly dry the folds of the skin once you get out of the shower, as well as brush your teeth and use an oral fluoride mouthwash.
  • The tobacco should be avoided.

Types of Candidiasis

candidiasis treatment
Candidiasis Infection: Candidiasis Causes, Candidiasis Treatment, Candidiasis  symptom

Candidiasic intertrigos

It is the most frequent clinical form. It can affect large folds such as armpits, groin, intergluteal fold, submammary region, lateral neck face or small folds as interdigital spaces of hands, feet and retroauricular region. The skin is red, slightly edematous and there may be vesicle-pustule elements on the surface. It is very typical to observe how these areas are delimited by a thin scaly border, with satellite lesions appearing. The patient reports intense itching and burning.

Candidiasic Onychomycosis

Candidiasic onychomycosis occurs with some frequency in children with thrush and in adults with intertrigo of small interdigital folds. It can be shown as a painful inflammation of the periungual ridge, accompanied by minimal purulent secretion or as a thickening of the nail plate with punctate depressions and transverse grooves.

Candidiasis in the digestive system

  • Esophageal: an inflammation appears that causes problems swallowing, burning and pain in the thorax.
  • Candidiásica gastritis: appears especially in those patients who suffer from gastric ulcer.
  • Candidiasis enteritis: causes abdominal pain and stools more often, which may contain blood threads, which causes dehydration from diarrhea. It is difficult to diagnose.
  • Candidiasic Antis: itching with itching, stinging and irritation of the anus.

Candidiasis in the respiratory system

Candidiasis laryngitis can occur, which usually occurs because of oral thrush. The muguet plates move to the respiratory system, affecting the bronchi and causing frequent cough, fever, and sputum with blood.

Candidiasis in the reproductive system

  • Candidiasic vulvovaginitis: appears due to a vaginal pH alteration, especially in pregnant women. It causes irritation and itching in the vagina.
  • Candidásica Balanitis: causes infection in the glans and foreskin of the penis, which gives rise to some pustules that generate itching.
Candidiasis Infection: Candidiasis Causes, Candidiasis Treatment, Candidiasis  symptom

Diagnosis

The diagnosis used fundamentally in clinical, otherwise, sometimes it is necessary to rely on a direct examination of the scales or on a mycological culture.

Navas specifies that the diagnosis should always be made by cultivation with a swab on the affected area and sending the sample to a microbiology laboratory to confirm the presence of candida colonies. In case of suspicion of candida in the blood, a blood sample is sent to culture.

Candidiasis treatment

There are different types of antifungal drugs, but the most frequently used belong to the family of azoles and can be used topically (ovules and creams) and orally in pills. Examples of these drugs are clotrimazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, and ketoconazole.

"Today we know that to avoid frequent recurrences and the recurrence of symptoms after antifungal therapy is important to complete with a probiotic treatment that improves our protective flora. This treatment should sometimes be repeated for about three months, "adds Navas.

Candidiasis Infection: Candidiasis Causes, Candidiasis Treatment, Candidiasis  symptom

Other data

Forecast

The prognosis of candidiasis affecting the skin and mucous membranes is very good because it responds very well to the treatments known as antifungals. However, the prognosis is more reserved in case of patients with their immune system altered due to some disease such as HIV, transplants or chemotherapy treatments. In these cases, the candida can pass into the blood and create more serious infections.

Candidiasis in men

Men may suffer from balanitis caused by candida or inflammation of the glans. You will notice the wetter skin of the penis, thick white discharge in the folds, redness, itching or burning sensation. It is more common in diabetic men, overweight, if they have taken antibiotics continuously or if they have their immune system altered by a general illness.

Candidiasis Infection: Candidiasis Causes, Candidiasis Treatment, Candidiasis  symptom

Pregnancy

Genital candidiasis is common in pregnant women due to changes in vaginal pH caused by hormonal changes, and increased moisture due to increased flow. Topical treatments, such as creams and ovules, can be used safely in pregnancy, but it is always recommended to consult with the gynecologist before doing so.