Clinical Trial Finder Team
Keywords: Yeast Infection Treatments, Clinical Trials for Yeast Infections, Thrush, Vaginal Yeast Infection
Quick Links:
- What is a Yeast Infection?
- Types and Symptoms of Yeast Infections
- Causes of Yeast Infections
- Prevention of Yeast Infections
- Treatments of Yeast Infections
- When to see a doctor
- MedBuzz Recent Clinical Trial Findings
What is a Yeast Infection?
A yeast infection, or candidiasis, is a fungal infection or overgrowth of the bacteria candida on your skin or within mucus membranes. Candidiasis is a naturally occurring bacteria commonly found on the skin, and in the mouth, gut, throat, and genitals with normal levels contributing to healthy biomes. But, when the balance changes among bacteria types, the yeast cells can overgrow, causing a slew of issues including irritation, swelling, rash, white discharge or patches and other symptoms.
Depending on the area in which your yeast infection is occurring you may experience different symptoms.
Types and Symptoms of Yeast Infections
There are several types of yeast infections. You’ll see that yeast infection occur in places in or on the body that are within folds of skin, or below barriers, as bacteria grow easier in these conditions. Below is a review of the types you may experience and their symptoms.
Skin folds or the navel (belly button)
- An itchy or burning red rash with skin breakdown
- Patches of rash that ooze clear fluid
- Pimples
Penis
- Moist skin on the penis
- Areas of thick, white substance collecting in skin folds
- Redness, itching or burning sensation especially on the underside of the penis
Mouth (inside)
- White patches on the tongue and inside cheeks
- Redness, soreness and inflammation inside the mouth
- If you have difficulty swallowing, the infection may have traveled down you esophagus
Mouth (corners of the mouth outside)
- Cracks in the skin at the corners
Nail beds
- Swelling, redness and irritation
- Pain
- Potentially puss
- White or yellow nail that separates from the nail bed
Vaginal Yeast Infections
One of the most common yeast infections is that of the vagina. 75% of all women will experience a yeast infection in their lives. Yeast infections aren’t considered a sexually transmitted disease because you can develop one without having sex, but sexual partners can pass you a yeast infection.
Additionally, vaginal thrush can be triggered from high-friction sexual intercourse, longer sexual intercourse or intercourse using lube, toys or other parts of the body i.e. the mouth can pass bacteria to the vagina that can cause an imbalance and lead to a yeast infection. Symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include but aren’t limited to:
- A thick, white, odor-free discharge with a cottage cheese appearance
- Itching or irritation around the vagina or vulva
- Burning sensation during intercourse or while urinating
- Swelling of or around the vulva
- Vaginal tenderness or soreness
- Watery vaginal discharge
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Causes of Yeast Infections
Yeast infections can be caused by several factors in areas of the body that are covered, protected or within folds of skin. Yeast infections can be caused by the following:
- Hot or humid conditions: this environment can provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria
- Damage or broken skin: such as that on genitals or due to irritation in skin folds
- Weak immune system: when bacteria like candida start to overgrow, weak immune systems usually can’t control the balance of bacteria
- Antibiotics: antibiotics kill billions of bacteria, good and bad, in your body when you consume them, including the bacteria that usually keep candida under control. Regular usage of antibiotics can cause repeat yeast infections
- Pregnancy
- Uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes
- Taking oral contraceptives or ‘the pill’: this increases estrogen levels which have been linked to a greater risk of yeast infections
Prevention of Yeast Infections
You can reduce your risk of developing yeast infections in or on your body by maintaining good hygiene including the following:
- Maintain good oral hygiene: brush and floss your teeth every day twice a day, and have a dental checkup once every 6 months.
- Probiotics: Probiotics can help your body keep a good balance of good bacteria that keeps the bad bacteria under control.
- Where skin rubs together, try to keep it dry and reduce excessive friction in heat.
Prevention of Vaginal Yeast Infections
Often, vaginal yeast infections can be avoided and prevented with some small adjustments to your routine. Some ways to prevent yeast infections include:
- Avoid tight underwear or stockings
- Avoid synthetic underwear – instead, aim for underwear with a cotton crotch
- Don’t douce – studies have shown that women who douce (thoroughly wash the inside of the vagina) with soap, water or feminine product are more likely to develop a yeast infection than those who ‘rinse’ with warm water in the shower
- Avoid spending long periods of time in hot tubs or very hot baths
- Taking correct medication and not overusing antibiotics for other illnesses i.e. colds, or viruses
- Avoid staying in wet clothes or swimsuits for long periods of time
Treatments for Yeast Infections
Most yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter antibiotic treatments or home remedies. When speaking to your doctor about your symptoms, they will take into account your age, weight, previous medical history and the severity of your condition. Some possible treatments include:
- Genital yeast infections: Yeast infections in men and women can be treated with anti-fungal creams such as Canesten or medicated suppositories (where you insert a cream or pill inside the vagina). Additionally, oral antibiotics can be taken.
- Mouth yeast infections: These usually be treated with a medicated mouthwash or lozenges. If the infection has moved down your esophagus, oral or anti-yeast treatments may be prescribed.
- Nail beds: Usually these are treated with an oral anti-yeast medication
- Skin folds: These can be treated with anti-yeast powders.
When to see a doctor
If you begin to notice any burning, irritation, abnormal discharge or a sense that something isn’t right with your genitalia, you should speak to your doctor immediately. They might ask you questions about your symptoms, perform a genital exam, or take swabs or your discharge in order to diagnose you and rule out STDs or STIs.
If you begin to notice yeast infection symptoms on other areas of your body, especially areas of skin folds, speak to your doctor. They might perform an oral or physical exam to give you a diagnosis. Keep note of any spreading of symptoms as yeast infections can often spread from one area of the body to another.
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MedBuzz Recent Clinical Trial Findings
We do the research so you can be better informed
Fungal infections cause millions of illnesses and deaths every year. Candida is one of the less aggressive bacterias, but can still cause serious damage not just physically but emotionally, and mentally to a person suffering from consistent yeast infections. The good news is that research into treating fungal infections has also shown some improvements in candida infections. Below are some of those findings.
- Avoiding yeast in foods: A recent study has shown a genetic link between the yeast used food production, and the yeast causing chronic yeast infections. More research is needed into the findings but it may be advisable to avoid certain strains of yeast where possible.
- Coconut oil: In a study on mice, researchers found that when dietary coconut oil was taken, candida was reduced in the gut by over 90% compared to other types of fats.
- Lavender oil: Initial research has begun on the effectiveness of lavender oil on yeast infections with a recent study showing it’s wide-spectrum antifungal effect in addition to being a natural supplement.
Sources:
Mayoclinic.org
HealthLine.com
WomensHealth.gov
CDC.gov
WebMD.com
HopskinMedicine.org
