Causes for yeast fungus infestation

The most important causes for an infection with yeast fungi are an immune deficiency or disturbed skin/mucosal flora. Causes for a weakening of the immune system can be a lot of stress, the long intake of cortisone (see: Cortisone side effects), but also diseases like leukemia, AIDS or a badly adjusted diabetes mellitus (diabetes mellitus). The skin flora can be damaged especially by excessive showering and the use of strong soaps, which destroy the acid mantle of the skin.

But also in places where a lot of moisture and heat accumulates, for example under the breasts, in the armpits, in the groin or under abdominal folds, the skin barrier can be damaged by the constantly increased moisture and a pathological colonization with yeast fungi can occur. The intestinal and oral flora can be destroyed by drugs such as antibiotics or cortisone. The vaginal flora can be destroyed by hormonal changes (e.g. the contraceptive pill), by the coil or by incorrect and excessive intimate hygiene (vaginal rinsing or use of soaps) and can lead to increased colonization with yeast fungi.

Symptoms

Depending on where the infestation with yeast fungi takes place, different symptoms occur. If yeast fungi attack the skin, a red, itchy and painful rash usually forms in the affected areas. Often there are also small pustules or cracks in the skin.

Yeast fungus infects skin folds, e.g. under the breasts, in the armpits, the groin area, or on the stomach. Nail fungus, caused by yeast fungi, usually starts at the nail wall – from where the nail grows out. At the beginning whitish spots or stripes often form.

The nail becomes rough, brittle and crumbly. In the course of time the nail bed often hardens and turns yellowish-brown. Vaginal mycosis usually manifests itself by strong burning and itching in the area of the vagina or vulva.

The vagina and the vulva are usually strongly reddened and swollen and a whitish, crumbly discharge can occur.Urination or even sexual intercourse can often be painful. An infection with yeast fungus in the mouth (oral thrush) manifests itself mainly through reddening of the throat and whitish deposits on the oral mucosa or tongue. If they are wiped off, bleeding easily occurs.

Bad breath can also be present. An infection with yeast fungi in the intestine is rare, but can lead to flatulence, a feeling of fullness, nausea, diarrhea and constipation. Antimycotic drugs are mainly used to treat infections with yeast fungi.

These are active substances that inhibit the growth of the fungus or kill it. Frequently used drugs are for example Nystatin, Clotrimazol, Fluconazol or Amphotericin B. Antimycotics can be used locally as creams, ointments, nail varnish and suppositories, or taken in tablet form or as an infusion. For fungal infections of the skin or mucous membranes (oral thrush, vaginitis, etc.

), antimycotics are mainly used locally. In severe infections with organ infestation, antimycotics are administered in tablet form or as an infusion. In the treatment of candidoses, it is important to ensure that the antimycotics are used regularly over a certain period of time to prevent recurrence of the fungus.