Yeast infections as take many forms. Yeast fungus infections often develop where a moist environment encourages fungal growth, especially on the webs of fingers and toes, nails, genitals, and folds of skin. Oral
thrush is a painless, often recurrent
yeast infection of the mouth and throat; it is common in babies, young children, and the elderly, but can affect all ages. Moniliasis is a painful vaginal
yeast infection experienced by many women, most commonly during pregnancy or treatment with antibiotics. Balanitis is a less common but equally irritating
infection of the penis. Yeast infections can also occur on the skin, particularly in large skin folds in obese people. These infections are called intertrigo.
Systemic yeast infections can occur in people with
diabetes,
AIDS, and other ailments, or patients taking drug treatments that suppress the immune system.
Candida albicans is a fungal organism, or yeast, that thrives in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and skin; the body normally produces bacteria that keep it in check, but when fungal growth exceeds the body's ability to control it, yeast infections called
candidiasis an develop. The body's ability to control
yeast infection outbreaks can be compromised by illness or
stress. Modern antibiotics that treat many ailments can actually kill the bacteria that otherwise control fungal outbreaks.
Yeast infections are common among dishwashers and people whose hands are often in water; in children who suck their thumbs or fingers; and in people whose clothing retains body moisture. The
diaper rash called candidal
dermatitis is caused by yeast growth in the folds of a baby's skin. Diabetics are especially prone to yeast infections because they have high levels of sugar in their blood and urine, and a low resistance to infection; both conditions encourage yeast growth. In rare cases, the candida fungus may invade the bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) tube or urinary catheter used in hospitalized patients. If the
infection travels to the kidneys, lungs, brain, or other organs, it can cause serious systemic complications, but these complications normally develop only in people who are seriously ill or who have other health problems that weaken the immune system. (Information from WebMD)
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