A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of a yeast fungus called Candida. While Candida is normally found on your skin and in your stomach, colon, vagina, rectum, mouth and throat, it can cause health problems when there is an overgrowth of the fungus in any area of your body.
Yeast infection symptoms can be painful and often interfere with your daily activities. For example, oral thrush can make it painful and difficult to swallow. A vaginal yeast infection might make it painful for a woman to urinate.
If you are experiencing any of the classic yeast infection symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. While yeast infections symptoms often seem severe, taking the proper medication can cure an infection and eliminate symptoms within a few days.
In this section we'll discuss the various symptoms associated with different types of yeast infections, including male yeast infections, vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush. We'll also offer advice on alleviating your yeast infection symptoms.
Oral thrush is an extremely common yeast infection that often affects infants, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. It is also common in people who wear dentures, as Candida can thrive under denture plates if the plates aren't properly cleaned.
Oral thrush symptoms include:
If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor. He will be able to prescribe a medication to help clear the infection and alleviate your symptoms.
Read on to get important information on the symptoms of oral thrush.
A vaginal yeast infection occurs when the Candida fungus grows uncontrollably in a woman's vagina. While women who are on estrogen-containing birth control pills are at a higher risk of developing yeast infections, so too are women who have compromised immune systems. That being said, any woman of any age can develop a yeast infection.
While vaginal yeast infection symptoms will vary from woman to woman, classic yeast infection symptoms include:
Thankfully, these symptoms clear up quickly once you begin taking the proper medication. You can also apply medicated creams and lotions to your genital area to reduce the pain caused by vaginal yeast infection symptoms.
Keep reading to learn more about vaginal yeast infection symptoms.
Many people think yeast infections occur only in females. Although yeast infections are less common in men than in women, men can also develop yeast infections.
While men with compromised immune systems and men who are taking antibiotics are at an increased risk of developing male yeast infections, so too are men who have vaginal intercourse with women who have vaginal yeast infections.
Signs and symptoms of a male yeast infection include a red rash on the penis and itching or burning at the tip of the penis. However, these symptoms most often disappear within a few days of starting medication.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms of male yeast infections.
American Academy of Physicians (2000). Vaginal Yeast Infections. Retrieved June 25, 2007, from the familyodctor.org Web site: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/vaginal/206.html.
Mayo Clinic Staff (2005). Oral thrush. Retrieved June 25, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/oral-thrush/DS00408.
Mayo Clinic Staff (2007). Male yeast infection: Can I get it from my girlfriend? Retrieved June 25, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://mayoclinic.com/health/male-yeast-infection/HO00172.
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