Candida albicansCandidosis

Candida albicans is the most important and most frequent representative of the yeast fungi and occurs almost exclusively in humans. To 90% it is the trigger of candidoses, an infection with Candida strains. Candida albicans is an opportunistic germ that can be detected in the normal skin/mucosal flora of many people and can only trigger disease in the case of a disturbed flora or a weakness of the immune system.

The most common clinical pictures that can be caused by Candida albicans are vaginitis (vaginal fungus), balanitis (inflammation of the glans by yeast fungi), oral thrush, diaper dermatitis, and numerous skin and nail infections. In rare cases and in the case of a severely weakened immune system, a systemic infection can also occur – i.e. an infection of the internal organs such as the oesophagus, heart, liver and the central nervous system, which can often be fatal. Risk factors for disease with Candida albicans are primarily a weakness of the immune system, chronic wounds, heavy sweating, and the constant wearing of airtight clothing or occlusive bandages.

Candida albicans can be reliably detected by a smear test, followed by examination under a microscope, or by the application of special fungal cultures. However, the sole detection of Candida albicans without disease symptoms is not dangerous and does not require treatment. Candida albicans are treated with antimycotics.

Many yeast fungi are a normal part of the skin flora and have no disease value. Under certain circumstances, however, they can also infect the skin (see: skin fungus), preferably in places where skin folds lie on top of each other and a lot of moisture and heat is produced. Predisposing places are, for example, under the breasts, in the groin, in the armpits or under abdominal folds.

But also finger and toe spaces can be affected by yeast fungi. The inflamed areas are usually reddened, swollen, itchy and painful to touch. Often there is also scaling of the skin.

Therapeutically it helps here to clean the affected areas well and keep them dry, as well as to apply antimycotic ointments to eliminate the fungus. In babies who still have a weak immune system, an infection with yeast fungi can manifest itself as diaper dermatitis. This usually results in a painful, red, itchy and scaly rash on the buttocks, genitals and sometimes even on the thighs, stomach and back (diaper area).

The cause is usually increased moisture due to changing diapers too rarely. As a preventive measure, it helps to change the diapers more often, to wash the baby’s skin with lukewarm water after changing it, to dry it well and to leave the baby without diapers at times. If diaper dermatitis is already present, there are special antifungal pastes that can be applied to the affected areas.

However, yeast fungi can also attack mucous membranes, for example the vagina (vaginitis) or the glans (balanitis) and cause painful infections. Vaginitis or balanitis is mainly caused by incorrect or excessive intimate hygiene, which leads to changes in the flora of the mucous membranes.Favourable for the development of vaginal mycosis can be the contraceptive pill, the coil, as well as wearing synthetic, airtight clothing. Vaginal mycosis is mainly manifested by painful swelling and reddening of the vagina and vulva, a white, crumbly discharge, as well as severe itching, burning and pain during urination or sexual intercourse.

Balanitis (inflammation of the glans) is mainly manifested by a painful redness and swelling of the glans, a painful retraction of the foreskin, and pain during urination or sexual intercourse. Both clinical pictures should be clarified and treated by a doctor. In most cases antimycotic ointments or suppositories are prescribed for this purpose. To prevent a “ping-pong effect”, both partners should be treated at the same time.