A yeast infection can occur to anyone and on or in any part of your body. Men, women, and children no matter their age can contract a yeast infection. The yeast, Candida, is responsible for yeast infections and there are over 20 species that live on human skin. Their ideal growing environment is in warm, moist areas making your insides and perfect. When Candida find a nice warm and moist area their population increases resulting in a yeast infection. The most common types of yeast infections are nail bed infections, vaginal infections, skin infections, diaper rash and mouth and throat infections.

Vaginal yeast infections are particularly common for women. A slight change in the vaginal area resulting from antibiotics, steroids, diabetes, birth control, pregnancy, sperm, and menstruation is enough to promote Candida growth. These types of infections are associated with itching and burning in the vaginal are as well as vaginal discharge.

Individuals most susceptible to yeast infections are those with a compromised or weak immune system. Your body cannot fight off the growing amount of yeast and ultimately without treatment can lead to death. Anyone with AIDS, undergoing cancer treatment or suffering from other auto-immune diseases have a greater chance of contracting a yeast infection. These yeast infections unlike on a healthy person will most likely attack your vital organs and can be very difficult to treat successfully.

Systemic illness from yeast infections mainly develop in about 15% of those that have weakened immune systems. The yeast can access your blood stream from cuts and needle punctures from shots, catheters and IV drips. Candida can survive in your blood stream because your medical treatment would have killed the bacteria that would control Candida, so your body no longer has a natural defense to the yeast.

Mouth and throat yeast infections, also called thrush, can be particularly painful and may even result in dehydration, as the individual finds it too painful to eat or drink. Thrush is associated with white patches in your mouth and throat that may bleed when scratched or scrapped off. Thrush can only be treated with prescription medicine so see your doctor at the first signs of symptoms.

Skin yeast infections are usually associated with diapers and skin folds. The skin environment changes from being dry and exposed to being covered and moist causing an ideal are for yeast to grow. Skin infections will have a red, flat rash with scalloped edges. It is important to use baby powder and other forms of treatment to prevent any skin infections to occur as they can be painful and very itchy.

There are many forms of treatments for yeast infections some over the counter and others prescription medication. If you use over the counter medication and the yeast infection does not go away or if it is reoccurring then you should see your doctor. Oral thrush may need a prescription medication to treat so if you notice any white, painful patches you should visit your doctor. Diaper rash and skin infections can be treated with over the counter medication. There are also many treatments available which are holistic in nature, can be done privately at home, and usually work as well as other treatments more costly.

If you have a weakened immune system or are already being treated for a yeast infection and it is not going away then you need to see your doctor immediately. Yeast infections in individuals with weakened immune systems can be very dangerous and you need to be particularly vigilant with your treatment and monitoring of symptoms.