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Yeast Infection: The Basics

What is a yeast infection?

Would it surprise you to discover that right now, the same fungus that causes so many people discomfort, Candida albicans, are actually living on just about every surface area of your body?

No, there’s nothing to worry about. Your skin is normally very effective at blocking the fungus and keeping it from

developing into a potentially harmful infection. Your skin won’t allow any of the fungi to travel to locations it shouldn’t. It’s only when you skin gets torn or cut, or when there’s some type of breakdown in your system, that this fungus normally penetrates. And that’s when the trouble starts.

An infection occurs when these Candida albicans – and about 20 other species of candida – discover these warm moist locations under our skin. It’s in these places that the fungi thrive. They begin to multiply prolifically enough to cause an infection.

Candida albicans is a versatile fungus, affecting many parts of the body when it gets the chance. Most commonly women think of the yeast infection, Candiasis, as being an infection most associated with the vagina. You might be surprised to learn, though, that a diaper rash is also caused by one of these species of Candiasis. So is thrush, a common infection of the mouth as well as some infections of the nail bed.

Yeast infections seem to appear more frequently as a person ages. Adults have been known to be affected with oral infections of this fungus around dentures, as well as under the breasts and lower abdomen as well as beneath other skin folds. Most of these infections are merely superficial. They are easily treated and quickly go away with no complications.

In very rare instances, though, a yeast infection may spread throughout the body. The medical community calls this systemic candidal disease. This, indeed, can develop into a very serious health problem. Some statistics say that up to 75 percent of individuals who develop this disease die from it.

And while most yeast infections cause little problems and clear up with routine treatment, there are instances of more resistant cases of yeast infections – that don’t necessarily attack your entire body -- that stubbornly don’t yield to regular medications.

More than that, though, if a person regularly seems to develop yeast infection after yeast infection, it may be a signal the she has a more serious, underlying health problem, such as diabetes, leukemia or even AIDS.

Note: Some statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

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