The most common type of yeast infection occurs in women in the form of an overgrowth of the candida fungus in the vagina. The infection can be caused by taking steroids or antibiotics, wearing clothing that's too tight in the crotch area, some bath products, and wearing damp underwear or swim suits in warm weather. The signs of a vaginal yeast infection include irritation, burning and itching in the vaginal area, and an odorous vaginal discharge. Candida yeast infections can be treated by anti-fungal pills, creams, or suppositories. Vaginal candida infections are not the only type of yeast infections; many men and women may not recognize the signs of other types of yeast infections.
What Are The Signs Of Other Yeast Infections?
Men and women can contract other candida-based yeast infections. Candida is related to the herpes virus and shingles, both of which also thrive in warm, damp environments. Thrush is a candida infection of the mouth, also called "trench mouth." The signs of this yeast infection are creamy-white, curd-like lesions on the tongue, inside the lips, and on the walls of the mouth. The thrush lesions can also spread down into the throat. Other signs of this type of yeast infection are that when the lesions are debribed (scraped) from the mouth, the underlying tissue is raw and bleeding and is extremely painful. Left untreated, thrush can spread to other areas of the body, causing damage to internal organs. Once the signs of this yeast infection are correctly identified, thrush is treated with a liquid anti-fungal such as Nystatin that's swished in the mouth several times a day. Nystatin is often accompanied by a liquid lidocaine solution that is also swished in the mouth, numbing the painful areas. Famvir and Clotrimazole are anti-fungal pills that effectively relieve thrush.
Signs of candida yeast infections that occur mostly among men, "jock itch" and "athlete's foot" also respond well to anti-fungal sprays found in drug stores. Jock itch is similar to a vaginal candida infection because both thrive in warm, damp environments. Signs of a jock itch yeast infection include itching and burning of the external genital area, redness and inflammation of the area, and small red bumps on the inside of the thighs.
Signs of an athlete's foot yeast infection include redness and inflammation between the toes, itching and burning between the toes, and redness on the top of the feet. Men whose feet tend to perspire heavily can prevent athlete's foot by spraying their feet and the insides of their shoes with an anti-fungal spray found in drug stores.
