Skin Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are not isolated to vaginal areas nor the mouth and throat. It is possible to have a skin yeast infection too. A Skin yeast infection is usually restricted to the surface of the skin only.

A Skin yeast infection is also most easily noticeable. Areas of your body which become moist due to sweat and retain that moisture for a while is a nesting ground for yeast infections. Yeast infections can be found on the armpits or genital areas. It could also occur in the nail bed or just underneath the nail itself, as well as under the breasts and in the folds of the skin with overweight people. Rapid growth of yeast cells affect the balance of residing bacteria and cause infections. The most common symptoms are itching, and reddened and irritated skin. You can also have a skin rash. In fact, on babies, this looks like a diaper rash. But, there is a difference. A skin yeast infection cannot be treated as you would other infections, with any ointment. While a skin yeast infection can happen to anyone, there is a particular group of people that are most vulnerable to skin yeast infections. Some of the groups are those with HIV/ AIDS, pregnant women, people who work in constantly wet conditions, obese people with folds of skin that retain sweat, infants, and people with already weakened immune systems.

A skin yeast infection can be treated. You could use some over the counter drugs or natural remedies. The important thing to make note of is keeping the infected areas dry and clean. Many of the ointments contain anti fungal properties that help in curing infection.

While all these treatments would cure the skin yeast infection quickly, you would also need to look at a long term cure or better yet, prevention of such yeast infections. The symptoms of skin yeast infections vary from being mildly irritating to painful. Sometimes, there is a swelling, discharge, and scaling on the skin.

Some external applications such as creams or lotions or a tablet to be taken orally would help in the treatment of skin yeast infections. The choice of treatment would largely depend on the severity of the skin yeast infection.

Of course, you can avoid skin yeast infections by making sure you adopt a healthy lifestyle. Follow basic hygiene practices, build your immune system, stick to a healthy diet, and maintain good general heath. Do not forget to wash and dry areas that are naturally prone to fungal infections. Use natural fiber such as cotton for clothing, footwear that will allow a certain amount of air circulation, make it a point to use clean socks, and get out of those wet clothes as quickly as you can.