Candidiasis

Candidiasis is an infection caused by the Candida yeast, which is a type of fungus.

Candidiasis can occur:

• On the surface of your body, which is rarely serious

• Widespread inside your body (called invasive candidiasis), which is life-threatening

Candidiasis on the surface of your body can affect anyone. It usually occurs on warm, moist areas such as your:

• Mouth

• Armpits

• Crotch

• Skin between your toes or under your breasts

Invasive candidiasis usually happens to people who have a weak immune system or are in the hospital with a serious disease. It can run through your bloodstream and affect many organs, including your:

• Heart valves

• Brain

• Eyes

• Kidneys

• Spleen

For both kinds of candidiasis, doctors give antifungal medicine.

Candida is normally present on your skin, in your intestines, and if you’re a woman, in your genital area. Usually, it doesn’t cause problems.

Candida infections on the surface of your body are more likely if you:

• Have diabetes, cancer, or AIDS

• Are pregnant

• Are taking antibiotics

Widespread, invasive candidiasis happens mainly if you:

• Are in the hospital for a serious problem such as major surgery or complications of AIDS

• Have tubes in your body (for example, for feeding)

• Are taking certain antibiotics by vein

Symptoms depend on the type of candidiasis you have.

Candidiasis of the Mouth

Thrush (Under Dentures and on Tongue)

In candidiasis of the mouth, white, painful patches form in the mouth—for example, under dentures (top photo) or on the... read more

Images courtesy of Jonathan Ship, MD.

Thrush (Lips)

In candidiasis of the mouth, white, painful patches may form on the inside of the lips.

© Springer Science+Business Media

Thrush (Tongue)

In candidiasis of the mouth, white, painful patches may form on the tongue.

© Springer Science+Business Media

Candidiasis of the Esophagus

This photo shows whitish patches caused by Candida.

Image provided by Kristle Lynch, MD.

Thrush (Under Dentures and on Tongue)

In candidiasis of the mouth, white, painful patches form in the mouth—for example, under dentures (top photo) or on the... read more

Images courtesy of Jonathan Ship, MD.

Thrush (Lips)

In candidiasis of the mouth, white, painful patches may form on the inside of the lips.

© Springer Science+Business Media

Thrush (Tongue)

In candidiasis of the mouth, white, painful patches may form on the tongue.

© Springer Science+Business Media

Candidiasis of the Esophagus

This photo shows whitish patches caused by Candida.

Image provided by Kristle Lynch, MD.

With candidiasis of the skin you may have a red, itchy rash that may look scaly. Some types of diaper rash are caused by Candida.

With candidiasis of your mouth, symptoms include:

• White, creamy patches inside the mouth

• Cracking at the corners of the mouth

With candidiasis of your vagina, you may have:

• Thick, white or yellow cheeselike discharge from your vagina

• White patches inside or outside your vagina

• Itchy, irritated red areas inside or outside your vagina

With systemic candidiasis, your symptoms depend on what part of your body is affected. It can be hard for doctors to tell which symptoms are caused by the candidiasis and which are caused by other medical problems you may have.

Doctors can usually recognize candidiasis on the outside of your body by looking at it. They may scrape off a sample of skin and look at it under the microscope.

For invasive candidiasis, doctors usually test a sample of your blood or tissue for the fungus.

Doctors treat candidiasis with antifungal medicines. Depending on what type of infection you have, you may take them as a cream, a pill, or by vein.