Itch, burn and scratch on your lady bits? Here is all you need to know about candida infection

Nearly two weeks ago, Dhriti Kamdar, 38, felt an intense itch rising in the pit of her groin. For the Mumbai-based mompreneur, it appeared to be a seasonal case of discomfort that she acquires every once in a while. "It was no biggie as I usually get the spray, use it for a few days and it's gone. Well, this time it just kept getting worse!" revealed Kamdar in a telephonic conversation.

The itch turned into severe rashes which burnt every time she scratched her lady bits. In a bid to sanitise her dwellings, she scrubbed the entire bathroom and used laundry sanitiser to wash all the towels and clothes. Despite her efforts to maintain hygiene, she noticed persistent itch and inflammation in her private parts. At this point, she decided to see a gynaecologist who diagnosed her condition to be a chronic case of candidiasis or candida infection.

According to recent research conducted by the International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, at least 3 out of 4 women experience Candidiasis or vaginal yeast infection and approximately 50 per cent undergo recurrent cases of candida. To delve deeper, Mid-day.com spoke to Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, and Dr Rajashri Tayshete Bhasale, consultant gyencologist laparoscopic surgeon and obstetrician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.

What is candidiasis?
Surabhi: Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by the yeast Candida (a type of fungus). Candida albicans are the most prevalent Candida species that infect humans. This fungus generally dwells on the skin and within the body, including the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina. It may cause infections if it develops out of control or penetrates the body deeply. It can, for example, induce infections in the circulation or internal organs such as the kidney, heart, and brain.

Rajshri: A candidiasis infection is seen due to the overgrowth of candida yeast due to an imbalance that happens due to healthy bacteria and yeast in your body. Normally this yeast is present in the flora of the mouth, gut, and vagina. But any imbalance can cause its overgrowth resulting in an infection called candidiasis.

What causes Candida infection?
Surabhi: Various reasons can be attributed to the rise of candida infection. Pregnancy, menstruation, birth control pills, diabetes, and steroid or antibiotic usage are all common causes of thrush or yeast infection inside the mouth.

Candida infections become more frequent after women hit menopause. Individuals with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop vaginal candidiasis. Candida infections are seldom transmitted from person to person through unprotected sexual contact.

Rajshri: Amongst women, candida is a local inhabitant of the normal flora of the vagina but certain situations like eating a diet consisting of sugar, having a weak immune system, and high-stress levels lead to candida overgrowth and thus cause infection i.e. vaginal yeast infection.

What are the symptoms of acquiring Candida infection?
Vaginal candidiasis may exhibit diverse symptoms like:

• Intense itching around the vagina and vulva

• Burning sensation that gets amplified during urination and intercourse

• Thick white odor-free vaginal discharge

• Inflammation in and around the vulva

• Pain and soreness in the vagina

• Rashes and bleeding from excessive scratches

• Occasional watery discharge

Candidiasis of the mouth and throat can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• White spots appear on the inside of the cheeks, tongue, roof of the mouth, and neck

• Soreness or redness inside the mouth

• Cottony sensation in the mouth

• Taste deterioration

• Cracking and redness around the mouth's corners

• Trouble swallowing food

Who is affected by candidiasis? Does it impact both men and women?
Candidiasis has been found to impact both men and women. However, the location and severity of the infection vary as per gender and the type of candida acquired. A vaginal yeast infection is the most common kind of candidiasis, affecting around 75 per cent of adults with a vagina at least once in their lives. It is also frequent in women during pregnancy. Candidiasis is more common in the elderly age and during infancy.

Rajshri adds that candida affects women of reproductive age and the post-menopausal group. It is especially prevalent in cases of uncontrolled diabetes and people who are on immunosuppression medication.

Surabhi: Yeast infection in the mouth and throat, commonly known as thrush, is one kind of candidiasis. Candidiasis of the esophagus (the tube connecting the neck to the stomach) is referred to as esophageal candidiasis or candida esophagitis. It is one of the most prevalent illnesses among HIV/AIDS and is a common yeast infection that affects both men and women. It is normally harmless, although it might be bothersome and keep returning. However, it is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Rajshri: Candidiasis affects both, men and women but more common among women is vulvovaginal candidiasis and in men, it is the inflammation of the glans (head of the penis) which is balanitis.

Why are women more prone to acquiring candida?
Surabhi: Yeast infections are more common in certain women during and after menopause, which is generally linked to hormonal changes. Other diseases one may have after menopause, such as yeast infections, might raise the risk of vaginal infections in some situations. According to several research, the prevalence of candida increased dramatically in pregnant women under the age of 35 but reduced in pregnant women above the age of 35.

How can women identify early signs of candida?
Surabhi: A blood sample or a sample from the affected body location can be tested for invasive candidiasis by sending it to a laboratory to check if it will grow candida in the future. There are four phases of candida overgrowth, and understanding these will help one see early warning signs:

• Gut symptoms: An imbalanced microbiota

• Vaginal symptoms: Itching, redness, and thick white discharge

• Signs of vaginal dysfunction "Brain fog" or cognitive impairment: Trouble in building focus and remembering daily tasks

• Chronic fatigue: Undergoing excessive exhaustion caused by mental or physical activity or sickness

Is candidiasis contagious?
Surabhi: If you are wondering if you can pass your yeast infection on to a partner through sex, the quick answer is yes. It is not frequent, but it's also not uncommon. After sexual contact with an infected female partner, around 15 per cent of males will develop signs of a penile yeast infection.

How can candida be treated?
Surabhi: The first antifungal therapy advised for most people is an echinocandin (caspofungin, micafungin, or anidulafungin) administered intravenously (intravenous or IV). Fluconazole, amphotericin B, and other antifungal drugs may also be useful in some cases.

Are there any food items to be avoided to curb the growth of candida?
Surabhi: On the candida diet, the following items should be avoided:

• Bananas, dates, raisins, grapes, and mango are examples of high-sugar fruits.

• Gluten-containing grains include wheat, rye, barley, and spelt.

• Some foods, such as deli meats and farm-raised seafood.

• Canola oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, or margarine are examples of refined oils and fats.

• Ketchup, soy sauce, white vinegar, BBQ sauce, horseradish, or mayonnaise are all acceptable condiments.

• Cheese, milk, and cream are examples of dairy products.

• Aspartame, agave, cane sugar, corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, molasses, and table sugar are examples of sugar and artificial sweeteners.

• Peanuts, cashews, pecans, and pistachios are the mouldiest nuts and seeds.

• Caffeinated teas, coffee, energy drinks, soda, fruit juice, beer, wine, or spirits all contain caffeine.

• Nitrates or sulphates are examples of additives.

Rajshri: A diet loaded with carbohydrates is known to increase candida counts in some people and hence should be avoided. Additionally, binge consumption of desserts leads to a rise in blood sugar levels which can also trigger candida infection amongst people.

What are the measures one needs to take to avoid the overgrowth of candida?
Rajshri: Eating the right food is the key. Controlling sugars and carbohydrates help in controlling infection. Also, one must ensure to change wet and sweaty clothes as soon as they get back home. Women must change pads or tampons after every four hours, and manage their diabetes with the help of medication, diet, and exercise.

Surabhi: Keep stress at bay and build a workout routine. Trauma and stress are significant contributors to the incidence of candidiasis. This is so because stress affects the immune system by creating an imbalance of good/bad bacteria, allowing the candida infection to thrive. Candida patients may have substantial mood changes characterised by irritation, despair, anxiety, and, in rare circumstances, panic attacks. It's a crippling condition that causes sufferers to digest information slowly, feel confused and intellectually sluggish, and struggle to focus on even the most basic tasks.

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