Symptoms
The symptoms of Yeast Infection are redness, itching and pain or discomfort around a localized part of the skin or mucosal membranes. Areas most infected include the mouth, the gastrointestinal tract, the pharynx or esophagus, the urinary bladder, or the genitalia, the vagina or penis. In its worst state, sufferers experience severe itching, soreness, irritation or a burning sensation, and a whitish or gray discharge. Both men and women can become infected and also children between the ages of three and nine. Children often get chronic mouth yeast infections, normally seen around the lips as white patches.
Causes
There are multiple causes of Yeast Infection including detergents or douches, internal imbalance (hormonal or physiological) which will disturb the normal vaginal flora of lactic acid bacteria. Pregnancy and the use of certain contraceptives are risk factors, and also sex, vaginal or anal, without cleansing afterwards. Sex using lubricants containing glycerin are sometimes considered a cause but the case is unproven. Sex with a partner who has the disease is also a very likely cause. Diabetes and similar diseases and the use of antibiotics are also linked to incidence of yeast infections. A delicate or undeveloped immune system can lead to infection.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a yeast infection can be done by either a microscopic examination or culturing. For identification by light microscopy, a sample of the troubled area is placed on a microscope slide. A single drop of 10% potassium hydroxide solution is then added to the material. As the chemical dissolves the skin cells, the Candida cells remain intact, allowing you to see the budding yeast cells. For the culturing method, a sterile swab is smeared over the infected skin area and streaked on a culture medium. The culture should be incubated at 37C for several days, in order to allow development of yeast or bacterial colonies.
Treatment
Most infections of yeast infection are treatable. It is commonly treated with antimycotics such as clotrimazole, nystatin, fluconazole and ketoconazole. Care should be taken by people who have allergic reactions to the azole group of medicines. These have contradictory reactions with other medicines. In severe infections, generally in hospitalized patients, amphotericin B, caspofungin, or voriconazole may be used. Local treatment may include vaginal suppositories or medicated douches. Gentian violet can be used for but when used in large quantities it can cause ulcerations and has been linked to cancer. Persistent infections may be treatable with other anti-fungal drugs, but resistance to these may also develop.
History
Yeast Infection was first discovered by botanist Christine Berkhout and first mentioned in 1923. Over time, the classification of the species has evolved. The genus Candida now includes about 150 various species but only a few are known to cause human infections. Many alternative medicine proponents say that there is a ‘systemic candidiasis’ or yeast allergy. This idea was widely promoted by Dr. William Crook who challenged conventional thinking and said that a variety of common symptoms such as chronic fatigue, asthma, sexual dysfunction, digestive and urinary infections, multiple sclerosis and chronic muscle pain could be caused by Yeast Infection.
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