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What is
candida?
Candida is a yeast type of fungus, which
can cause thrush. It is normally present in a healthy person but, when
present in excess, can cause disease or reduced immunity.
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What
are the symptoms?
The fungus tends to cause a profuse
vaginal discharge of a thick or curdy nature, with patches of white on the
vulva or vagina. Symptoms include itching, soreness and discomfort and the
appearance of a skin rash similar to eczema.
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Which
areas tend to be affected?
Candida affects the moist areas of the
body, such as the mouth, vagina, skin folds, groin and axilla.
The nails can also be affected. This is
known as paronychia, (abscess or inflammation of the nail).
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What
causes candida?
The appearance of symptoms is associated
with a number of factors. These include ;
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes mellitus, AIDS, herpes
simplex
- Sugar intake
- Tight clothing
- Allergic reaction
- Prescribed drugs, e.g. antibiotics,
corticosteroids, female sex hormones
Candida commonly occurs after treatment
with oral contraceptives or antibiotics since these drugs alter the normal
bacterial balance in the body.
After antibiotics, 80% of women have
evidence of candida whilst around one third of those will have symptoms.
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Treatment
It is important to keep the area dry and
clean. Specific treatment is given by antifungal agents. Alternative
management is by taking probiotics, such as lactobacillus acidophillus or
bifido bacteria which are considered ‘friendly bacteria’. They can be
found in ‘live’ yoghurt and products like cottage cheese, or in a
supplement form.
Adopting a low-sugar diet can also help
to prevent an overgrowth of candida in the gut.
