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In general, candida likes warm, moist places. It's not possible to prevent every yeast infection, but a few simple steps can help reduce the number of infections women get.

Wear loose, natural-fiber clothing and underwear with a cotton crotch. As much as possible, avoid pantyhose, tights or leggings, nylon underwear, and tight jeans. Limit the use of deodorant tampons and feminine hygiene products if you feel an infection beginning, as they can interfere with the helpful bacteria in the vagina. Keep genitals dry after bathing or swimming (don't stay in a wet swimsuit for hours).

Seasonal changes can affect the likelihood of getting an infection, too. During high-heat, high-humidity periods, it's easier to get a yeast infection. Heavy winter clothing, which prevents easy release of perspiration and moisture, can also spell trouble.

Other Yeast Infections

Even though vaginal yeast infections are the most common type of candida infections, there are other ways in which yeast can cause problems.

Thrush is the name given to an oral yeast infection. It is most often seen in infants or in people with severely suppressed immune systems — as in AIDS. Its symptoms are painful sores in the mouth and throat that appear as creamy white patches and reveal red sores when scraped. Left untreated, thrush may spread to the throat and esophagus. (Other infections can cause similar symptoms, so anyone with these symptoms should have their condition accurately diagnosed by a health professional.)

Other candida infections can occur nearly anywhere on the body where there is a skin fold: under the arms, under the breasts, between the toes. The skin around the fingernails can be affected.

Candida infections have been reported in women who wear artificial fingernails. Fungal infections can start in the space between the artificial and natural nail if they become separated. The nails may become discolored by infection and may require drug treatment.

The drugs used to treat these other candida infections are similar, but not always identical to those used for vaginal yeast infections. Most of the treatments are from the "azole" drug family (clotrimazole, fluconazole). Some drugs are oral medications, although those are most often used only for stubborn or persistent infections. A fairly new drug (approved by FDA in January 1990), fluconazole is effective in a single dose by tablet or intravenous injection, but is most often used only in serious fungal infections, such as those in persons with HIV disease.

It's important to note that over-the-counter products for vaginal yeast infections are not appropriate for other types of fungal infections. Those products are only for the uses stated on the package. For any other yeast infection, see your doctor.

About the Author

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