Candidiasis is an infection caused by the overgrowth of the Candida fungus, which usually occurs when there is a weakening of the immune system or because of treatment with antibiotics, for example.
This type of infection can occur in men or women and has a cure, being treated with ointments or remedies that eliminate the fungi that are causing the disease, aiding in the relief of symptoms.
Test for candidiasis
When you think you may have candidiasis it is important to be alert to some signs that include:
- 1. Intense itching in the genital area Yes No
- 2. Redness and swelling in the genital area Yes No
- 3. Whitish plaques in vagina or penis head Yes No
- 4. Bleached white discharge similar to milled milk Yes No
- 5. Pain or burning while urinating Yes No
- 6. Discomfort or pain during intimate contact Yes No
Usually, this type of fungus lives in the human body, but the immune system is able to prevent its overgrowth. However, when the body is weaker or undergoes hormonal changes, such as after a flu or during pregnancy, these fungi may overreproduce causing candidiasis.
Candidiasis can also manifest itself in other places in the body, such as the skin, mouth or intestines, for example. Learn more about the various types of candidiasis and its symptoms.
How is the treatment done?
Genital candidiasis can affect both men and women, but its treatment is similar and made with antifungal ointments in both cases, such as Candicort or Fluconazole, which should be applied 2 to 3 times a day, between 3 to 14 days, according to your doctor's advice.
It is further recommended:
- Wear cotton underwear as they allow the skin to breathe;
- Wash the genital area only with water and neutral soap or soap suitable for the region;
- Sleeping without underwear, whenever possible;
- Avoid internal absorbents ;
- Avoid having unprotected intimate contact during the treatment time.
These recommendations help to speed up the treatment, however, you can also wash your genitals with barbatimon leaf tea or other home remedy to complete the treatment. Here are some examples of home remedies for candidiasis.
On top of all that, eating a low-sugar diet also helps the body fight the fungus more easily by curing candidiasis faster. Here's what to eat to strengthen immunity and fight the fastest candida in this video:
In case the symptoms do not disappear after 2 weeks, it is advised to return to the doctor as it may be necessary to start treatment with antifungal tablets, which help fight infection from the inside of the body, achieving better results than just the ointments.
How to confirm if it is candidiasis
Although the symptoms may be easy to identify, there are other genital problems, such as vaginitis, herpes, or gonorrhea, for example, that can cause similar symptoms.
Thus, the best way to confirm the diagnosis is to go to the gynecologist, in the case of women, or to the urologist in the case of men. Thus, in addition to identifying the problem, the doctor can still assess if there is any cause and indicate the most appropriate treatment.
What can cause candidiasis
Some factors that are associated with increased candidiasis risk include:
- Unprotected sex with a contaminated partner;
- Frequent use of antibiotics, contraceptives and corticosteroids;
- Pregnancy or during menstruation;
- Diseases such as diabetes, AIDS, HPV and lupus that make the immune system weaker;
- Frequent use of tight or wet clothing;
- Walking barefoot or sharing gloves for example;
- Do hygiene more than 2 times a day and use absorbent for more than 3 hours in a row.
A person may also be contaminated with the fungus and not know because the disease usually manifests when the immune system is weakened.
