It's impossible to avoid Candida. It's always in the body and usually lives harmlessly with all the other bacteria that help us live healthy lives. It's when an imbalance occurs that Candida multiplies and causes infection. Numerous and varied symptoms make the Candidiasis difficult to self diagnose. Although it's usually considered a very 'annoying' medical condition, Candidiasis left untreated can invade the bloodstream with a possibly fatal outcome.

Candidiasis is typically described as a yeast infection attributed to a common yeast, Candida albicans, which thrives in the vagina, mouth, esophagus, digestive tract, and on the skin. Invasive candida infections occur when the yeast penetrates the bloodstream and proliferates throughout the body and expands the toxin. Candidemia is the 4th most frequent bloodstream infection among hospital patients in the USA.

Thrush is actually a type of Oropharnygeal Candidiasis, or OPC. Typical symptoms are white patches in the mouth that cause no pain. In some instances, there may be cracking of the skin at the corners of the mouth. OPC generally occurs in patients with weak immune systems. But it can also be a risk to people who use corticosteroid inhalers, people with dentures, newborns, and the elderly.

Candida esophagitis is also a form of OPC. An infected esophagus makes it painful to swallow. It is difficult to self-diagnose since the symptoms may indicate other conditions. OPC can result in invasive candidiasis if it is not treated.

Genital/Volvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) is a very common yeast infection. Most women are aware of it since three fourths of them have had it at least once, and it reoccurs 45% of the time. It rarely is sexually transmitted to men.

VVC is accompanied by itching or burning sensations in the pubic area. It may also exhibit a candida vaginal discharge. Conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes and a weak immune system can increase the risk of infection. VVC may be misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection since symptoms are practically the same. But not all vaginal irritation is caused by a yeast infection. Some sexually transmitted diseases also display the same symptoms and must be treated by a physician.

Cutaneous candidiasis is a skin infection that usually shows up in warm moist environments such as the pubic area or under toenails. Candida is actually a prevalent cause of diaper rash. This kind of candidiasis causes severe itching and is very likely to reoccur. It is especially common among diabetes sufferers.

Systemic candida symptoms are caused when the fungus enters the bloodstream and invades other organs of the body. Infection can sometimes be caused by invasive procedures and devices used in the medical field. Specific symptoms do not point to invasive Candidiasis, but fevers and chills that prove resistant to antibiotic treatment should prompt a blood and tissue culture study for diagnosis. According to the CDC 8 of every 100,000 persons are diagnosed with Candidemia (bloodstream infection with Candida) each year.

There are several options if you are concerned about candidiasis, but knowledge of the dangers and benefits must be a priority before making a decision. Self diagnosis and self treatment of Candida bring certain risks. Relief of irritation does not mean that the infection has been eliminated, causing reoccurrences of the symptoms. While most people with yeast infections are successfully treated with antifungal medication, patients with a weak immune system may find a cure for Candida more difficult.

In the naturalist method, it is accepted that one can rid themselves of candida problems, as well as cleanse excess yeast from their body, by simply being candida-conscious in their dieting style. By decreasing the amount of sugar you consume, the yeasts will soon starve and pass on. A candida cleanse would ensure avoidance of such foods. Candida wheat should not be eaten, because the starch and carbohydrates will turn to glucose n the body. To stay healthy, alternative foods need to be found. While recovering from the Candida cleanse, Brewers yeast will enhance immunity and add nutrients, so it may surprisingly be eaten. Sometimes, high-fiber diets can also help quite a bit as they regulate digestion.

Herbs and supplements can also be used with a Candida cleanse diet. Garlic is not only an immune stimulant, but a powerful antifungal. If you don't like the taste of garlic cloves, it is also available in tablet form.

Essential oils of oregano, rosemary and peppermint have recently been touted as treatments. Clove, ginseng, ginger and cinnamon are available in tablet form and are non toxic taken in recommended dosages.

The berberine in Barberry and Golden Seal causes Candida to die off. Besides acting as an antibacterial and antifungal, these herbs assist digestion. Overuse of Golden Seal has been know to irritate the liver when ingested over time, but it can be made into a tea for topical treatment. Aloe Vera and Tea tree oil are other natural ways to soothe the discomforts of external irritations caused by a yeast infection.

Although Candida has traditionally been treated only with prescriptions written by a primary care physician and filled only at a pharmacy, advances in the treatment of Candida has resulted in the availabilty of a number of over-the-counter treatment options. . There are four nonprescription treatments currently available. The first is an antifungal, topical cream called Butoconazole Nitrate that's used to treat Volvovaginal Candidiasis. The second over-the-counter medication, named Clotrimazole, is available in cream, lotion, or solution formulations. When Clotrimazole is used as a vaginal cream, it's applied using an applicator once a day before bed for seven days. When Clotrimazole is applied as a lotion or solution, it's rubbed into or sprayed onto the affected and surrounding tissues once in the morning and once in the evening. The third treatment option now available as an over-the-counter medication is Miconazole. When Miconazole is used in cream, lotion, powder, spray liquid, or spray powder forms, it's applied directly to the skin. When Miconazole is used as a cream or suppository, it's inserted into the vagina. The fourth over-the-counter treatment, Tioconazole, treats Candida by either preventing the fungal growth or eradicating the established fungal colony. These now available, over-the-counter treatments result in easier management of symptoms and quicker relief.


Oral drugs that can be purchased over the counter to treat most forms of Candida in the system include Fluconazole, Intraconzole and Imidazole Ketoconazole.

The problem with self treatment of yeast infections is that the fungus develops resistance to unprescribed drugs. If resistance occurs through misdiagnosis it makes it more difficult to treat by other means. Always complete your recommended course of treatment and if symptoms are not relieved, consult your doctor.