Discover The Secret Workings Of The Common Yeast Infection

The common yeast infection is causes by a fungus called Candida Albicans. Yeast infections are also known as thrush or candidiasis and may manifest both outside the body on the skin as well as inside the body. A typical yeast infection presents with symptoms that makes it quite easy to identify but a professional should still be consulted to obtain a positive diagnosis as to not confuse a yeast infection with another skin ailment that may present with similar symptoms. In this article you will learn more about the symptoms and transmission of a yeast infection as well as the different prescription drugs used to treat it.

Yeast infections that occur topically on the skin and mucosal membranes like inside the mouth or vagina present with easily recognisable symptoms. The symptoms include intense itching, redness, burning sensation and a whitish discharge. In men, the symptoms are red sores towards the end of the penis with severe burning and itching. A white discharge may be present in the case of a sever infection. Yeast infections can spread from one person to another and is therefore contagious, especially via sexual intercourse.

The treatment of a yeast infection with prescription drugs starts off with topical treatment (applied locally on the skin or mucous membrane). If the topical approach does not prove effective or the infection is severe, a more aggressive approach with systemic medication is followed (swallowed or injected into the body). Old generation antifungal drugs like griseofulvin, nystatin, and amphotericin B are still being used, but they are mostly being replaced with the more modern azole family of drugs and terbinafine (Lamisil). The azole family of drugs are divided into two groups, namely the imidazoles and the triazoles. The most well known of the former are clotrimazole and ketoconazole. The most widely used and effective triazole are itraconazole and fluconazole. Vaginal yeast infections are successfully treated with a cream or pessary of clotrimazole and in sever cases systemically with fluconazole. These treatments might be successful in most cases but potential side effects and drug interactions are a real possibility and should be discussed with your pharmacist.

There is also a more natural approach to treating a yeast infection. Since the yeast population is kept in check with co-existing bacteria, the addition of the particular bacteria will re-establish the balance and suppress the yeast multiplication and therefore treat the infection. The relevant bacteria here are called Lactobacilli and can be bought at any pharmacy.