Candida infections: how to spot, treat and prevent

Candida infections are common and usually treatable. Here's how to spot them, what causes them, and what to do fast.

Symptoms vary by location. Oral thrush shows white patches on the tongue, soreness, and cracking at the mouth corners. Vaginal yeast infection gives intense itching, thick white discharge, and burning during sex or peeing. Skin candida likes warm folds and shows a red, itchy rash that may blister. Invasive candida is rare but serious — signs include fever, low blood pressure, or organ-specific problems and need urgent care.

What causes candida to overgrow? Antibiotics can kill helpful bacteria that keep yeast in check. High blood sugar feeds yeast, so uncontrolled diabetes raises risk. Hormone changes from pregnancy or birth control can trigger vaginal yeast. A weakened immune system from steroids, chemo, or HIV lets candida take hold. Tight, wet clothing and poor hygiene also help yeast grow on skin.

How do you know if it’s candida? For simple cases a clinician can usually tell by looking. A swab or scraping sent to a lab confirms the yeast and can check resistance. For recurring or severe infections doctors may order blood tests or imaging to rule out deeper infection.

Treatment depends on where the infection is and how bad it is. For vaginal or skin infections, OTC creams or suppositories with clotrimazole or miconazole often clear things in a few days. For oral thrush, antifungal rinses or lozenges help. A single oral dose of fluconazole is common for vaginal yeast, but it’s not right for everyone — avoid it if pregnant unless your doctor says it’s okay. Invasive candida needs hospital care with prescription IV antifungals like echinocandins or amphotericin and close monitoring.

When should you see a doctor? If this is your first mild episode, OTC treatment may work. See a clinician if symptoms are severe, don’t improve in a week, return more than twice a year, or if you have diabetes, are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system. Fever plus signs of infection is a reason to seek emergency care.

Simple prevention tips: keep skin dry and wear breathable fabrics; change out of sweaty clothes quickly; avoid unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics; control blood sugar; try plain, unsweetened yogurt or proven probiotics if you tolerate them; and skip douching or scented genital products. If infections recur, ask your clinician about longer antifungal courses or testing for underlying conditions.

Quick FAQ

Can diet cure candida? No — diet can help but won’t replace antifungal treatment. Are probiotics useful? They can reduce recurrence for some people, especially after antibiotics. Can men get balanitis from candida? Yes — symptoms include redness and itching. Recurrent infections need medical review to check for diabetes or immune issues. Talk openly with your clinician about options today.