The body hosts various bacteria, germs, and fungi which in normal amount should reside harmlessly all over its parts. However, there are some risk factors which make it is possible for this harmless bodily bacteria to overgrow, causing negative effects toward the affected body parts. Candida fungus is one of these microorganisms residing on the body, which in uncontrolled amount may cause what-so-called as a candidiasis infection. When treated immediately and properly, cutaneous candidiasis might not be harmful to the entire health. However, the causative fungus may overgrow inside the body, spreading the infection from one body part to another, causing unwanted, harmful health issues.

Cutaneous candidiasis symptoms

Recognizing the symptoms of candida fungal infection is essential, since this gives an overview on what should be done to improve the condition of the affected body parts. You may be able to see whether you are suffering from candidiasis by recognizing its possible symptoms. Observe your skin carefully to find signs and symptoms that you are developing fungal candidiasis.

• Basically, candidiasis of the skin may affect any skin of any body parts. However, the parts wherein the skin are folded might be more susceptible. This way, examine your armpits, the skin under your breasts, between your fingers, and the knee folds as candidiasis is common with those body areas. In addition, moist and warm body parts are the most suitable habitat for the fungus to grow. Hence, try to find the infection on the skin of the neck, behind the ears, the buttocks, and the genital.
• If you are suffering from an oral candidiasis, you should be able to see white patches on your tongue. This may cause loss of taste or a feeling of a thick cotton on the tongue. The patch might bleed if you try to peel it.
• If you are suffering from a nail yeast infection or candidiasis, your nail turn to a yellowish color, accompanied by tingling or itching sensation. This infection commonly affects the toenail and may spread to the spaces in between the toes.
• If you suspect a vaginal yeast infection, otherwise, you might be able to see red rashes on the vulva. This rashes cause itching and burning sensation of the site. The burning sensation is mostly felt during an intercourse or urinating. Your vulva might also swell, causing soreness. In more severe cases, vaginal yeast infection may also be accompanied by watery discharge from the vagina.
• Vaginal yeast infection are commonly recurring. Hence, if you are on medications and see the occurrence of red rashes on the vaginal skin, it is better to be observed, as this might be a recurring candidiasis.
• When candidiasis is not treated properly, it is possible for the fungi to continue multiplying, spreading the infection to some other body parts. Hence, it is common for people suffering from an untreated oral candidiasis to have a soreness of the throat which causes fever and difficulty of swallowing.
• Infection of the hair follicles on the affected site, which appears as tiny pimples. On the skin around the mouth, this hair follicles infection may resemble blisters someone has with an oral herpes infection.

What triggers cutaneous candidiasis

The culprit for the yeast infection to the skin is a bodily fungi called Candida albicans. Various conditions and practices, in addition, may trigger the growth and multiplication of this fungi inside the body, which cause visible effects on the body skin. There are some conditions and circumstances which may trigger the overgrowth of candida fungi, such as:

• Extreme warm or cold weather.
• Tight and unbreathable clothing.
• Poor hygiene practices, especially on the genital areas. Infrequent underwear changes and pantyliners might trigger the growth of candida fungi, causing the occurrence of infection.
• Unchanged diapers which cause moist, warm environment in the babies’ buttocks.
• Antibiotics which are taken for a long period, killing the beneficial flora in certain body parts, especially the genital.
• Weakened immune system, which may be caused by certain medications, such as steroids, and illnesses, such as diabetes.
• Hormonal changes which causes excessive production of certain hormones that also affects the immune system, such as pregnancy.