Yeast infection


Overgrowth of yeast can affect the skin (yeast rash), mouth (thrush), digestive tract, esophagus, vagina (vaginitis), and other parts of the body. Yeast infections occur most frequently in moist areas of the body. Although Candida albicans and other Candida yeasts are the most frequent offenders, other yeast groups are known to cause illness, primarily in immunocompromised patients. These include Torulopsis, Cryptococcus, Malassezia, and Trichosporon yeasts. Diagnosis is by observation, and can be confirmed by culturing a stool or mucosa sample, or a scraping from the affected area. Treatment is by topical or oral antifungal medications. Acidophilous, a helpful bacteria that normally helps to keep yeast in check, can also be tried in supplement form or in yogurt with live cultures.

See also Candida albicans, candidiasis, thrush, yeast vaginitis, yeast rash.

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    All of the genetic information contained in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The genomes of particular nonhuman organisms such as yeast have been studied for a number of reasons including the need to improve sequencing and analysis techniques. These nonhuman genomes also provide powerful sets of data against which to compare the human genome. For example, a […]

  • Yeast rash

    A slightly raised pink-to-red rash that is caused by proliferation of yeast, usually in a moist area such as the groin. Yeast rash is most common in infants, but it can also occur on the skin of older children and adults. Treatment involves keeping the affected area clean and dry and applying topical antifungal medication. […]

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    The yeast Candida has been thought to cause a syndrome with a number of nonspecific problems including fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, short-attention span, depression and all manner of intestinal irregularities. There is no scientific evidence to support the existence of the yeast syndrome (also called the yeast connection).

  • Yeast vaginitis

    Infection of the vagina by a fungus known as Candida, characteristically causing itching, burning, soreness, pain during intercourse and urination, and vaginal discharge. Yeast vaginitis occurs when new yeast are introduced into the vagina or there is an increase in the quantity of yeast in the vagina relative to the quantity of bacteria (as when […]

  • Yeast vulvitis

    A yeast infection of the external genital organs of the female (the vulva). The vulva includes the labia, clitoris, and the entrance (the “vestibule”) to the vagina. Yeast vulvitis commonly goes together with yeast vaginitis, infection of the vagina by the fungus known as Candida. The common symptoms are itching, burning, soreness, pain during intercourse […]


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