Candida Screening & Treatment
What is candida?
Candida is a type of yeast (fungus). Candida usually lives on your skin in small numbers and is not harmful; however, under some conditions, this yeast can multiply, leading to infection. The common infection sites for candida are the vagina (when the infection is known as vaginal thrush), in the mouth (called oral thrush) and on your skin.
Your IPSA candida screening & treatment
When you attend your IPSA clinic to have your candida consultation, you will be seen by a skilled IPSA practitioner who is familiar with candida infections. Your IPSA clinic is a clean, totally confidential environment, and through IPSA’s person-centred approach to your issue, your IPSA physician will involve you fully in your candida consultation, taking your candida symptoms seriously, and undertaking your examination in a relaxing and conducive setting.
Your IPSA practitioner will fully discuss and explain the different candida treatment options with you, before coming to an agreement with you on the best method of candida management for your particular situation.
Is a candidal skin infection serious?
Usually candidal skin infections are not serious and mostly occur in individuals who are otherwise healthy; they are slightly more common if you happen to be overweight. The treatment offered by your IPSA clinic usually works well. Your IPSA practitioner will explain how in some individuals, this type of candidal skin infection might be the first sign of another condition (such as diabetes). Your IPSA doctor will assess you during your consultation to rule out these possible issues.
Why does candida multiply and lead to a skin infection?
You have an increased chance for candidal skin infections developing if:
- You have a weak immune system (e.g. if you have certain blood disorders, AIDS or if you have had chemotherapy).
- You have diabetes.
- You have taken steroid medications or a long antibiotic course.
Sweaty or moist skin areas are ideal breeding grounds for candida. Thus, candida usually affects the folds of skin in the armpits, groin and under large breasts. Inflammation in a fold of skin or under your breasts is called intertrigo, which is commonly caused by candida. Sometimes candida causes nappy rash. Obese individuals can develop a candidal infection in between the folds of their skin. Candida can also infect the skin between your toes and fingers and the corners of your mouth.
What are the symptoms of a candidal skin infection?
In the affected skin folds (under your breasts, in the groin area and so on), a red rash forms which is often itchy and quite sore. This can be accompanied by small blister-type swellings developing on the rash area itself. Additionally, a type of scale can build up on the rash producing a whitish-yellowy, curd substance over the area that is affected. Your skin can also become macerated and thickened (your skin softens and turns a whitish colour) if the infection occurs between your toes or fingers.
What is the treatment offered at my IPSA clinic for candidal skin infections?
Your IPSA physician will offer you an antifungal cream (and this usually clears up candida infections in approximately one week). He or she may also prescribe a mild steroidal cream to reduce any inflammation while the antifungal cream works against the candida infection. This steroid, if used alone without the antifungal treatment, would actually worsen the candida infection, as your IPSA practitioner will explain during your consultation. Depending on how widespread your candida infection is, your IPSA clinician may also prescribe antifungal tablets.
Preventing and minimising candidal skin infections
Your IPSA physician will run through the best methods to reduce your risk of recurring candida infections during your consultation.
- Lose weight. This may help if your candida infection is weight-related.
- Keep all areas that are likely infection sites clean and dry.
- Dry well following washing (especially your armpits, under your breasts and in the groin area). Using a hairdryer is often suggested as a way to ensure these areas are dry before you put your clothes on.
- If you wear dentures and are troubled by candida in the mouth, then remove and sterilise your dentures at night.
- Avoid wearing wool clothing or synthetic clothing. Wear absorbent, light and loose clothing, because this can help to prevent your skin from becoming moist.
If your candida infection is recurring for no obvious reason, then your IPSA practitioner may suggest having a test to assess your sugar levels (a diabetes test).
At your IPSA clinic, we know how waiting even a couple of days for your appointment can be stressful, which is why IPSA can arrange same-day candida appointments for you to fit in with your schedule. Call IPSA today or book online.
