Coping with Candida

However, when the numbers increase and a person is experiencing symptoms, they now have candidiasis, more often known by the names “thrush” or “yeast infection”.
Candidiasis of the vagina is so common that three out of four women can expect to suffer from it at least once in their lifetime. And 40 to 50 per cent of these women will have it more than once.
If you are or have been one of these three out of four, you already know the signs and symptoms of vaginal candidiasis: vaginal itchiness and burning, redness around the area, sharp pain when the area makes contact with urine, and the presence of a thickish, white discharge.
But candidiasis can occur anywhere on the body, preferring places that are warm and moist (such as skin folds and feet). These rashes are likewise itchy and red, but there may also be bumpy areas, which may or may not be filled with clear fluid. As rashes presenting with similar symptoms can be caused by different organisms and each one requires a different course of treatment, it is better to consult a doctor than attempting self-medication.
Three things can keep the number of candida small: healthy skin that’s kept appropriately dry; an active immune system; and protective bacterial florae that live on the skin. Conditions that will start the candida to increase in numbers are: 
* Burns, cuts, or scratches
* Clothes that don’t allow the skin to keep dry, such as nylon fabrics or certain shoes worn for long periods of time
* Poorly controlled diabetes – not only does the extra sugar levels allow the fungus to attach better and grow, it is known to weaken the immune system
* Some serious illnesses, treatments, and medications that significantly weaken the immune system (certain cancers, radiation, chemotherapy, and long term use of oral or intravenous steroids)
* Being “run down”, not getting enough sleep, or going through a stressful time, thus weakening the immune system
* Taking antibiotics over a long period.
The treatment for candidiasis of the vagina varies and may involve antifungal creams, suppositories, or pills depending on how long, how frequent, or how severe the symptoms are/have been.

If you have treated yourself but find that the symptoms are reoccurring frequently or not fully resolving, you need to consult your gynaecologist. You may just need a longer course of treatment or you may have symptoms resulting from another organism and require a different kind of treatment.
Even if you have never had a candidial infection, these are a few simple steps that will help keep you healthy:
* Say goodbye to nylon and hello to cotton.
* Give your shoes time to air out in the sun if they seem damp.
* After swimming, having a shower or a bath make sure the skin is well dried.
* If you have diabetes, do your best to keep your blood sugar at the recommended levels.
* Consider taking probiotics (lactobacilli or L acidophilus) as they are believed to keep candida at bay.
* If you have a chronic illness or are on a treatment plan that puts you at risk for a candida infection, talk to your health care provider about your concerns and the additional steps that you may need to do in order to stay healthy.
And most importantly, take care of yourself! Nothing keeps you well like enough rest, eating healthy meals, and the appropriate amount of exercise. 

Dr Yaowaluk Rapeepattana is a specialist with the Obstetrics-Gynecology department of Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital.