Candida Infections (Candidiasis)
What is Candida infection?
Candida infection (candidiasis) is caused by a type of fungus (yeast) called Candida. This fungus normally lives on the skin and inside the body without causing problems. But if there is too much Candida in the body or if the immune system is weak, it can cause an infection.
Candida infection most often occurs in warm, moist areas of the skin because these conditions help the fungus grow.
Types of Candida infection include:
- Oral thrush: Infection in the mouth (oropharyngeal candidiasis)
- Diaper rash: Infection in the diaper area (Candida diaper dermatitis)
- Skin infection: Infection in skin folds or moist areas (cutaneous candidiasis)
- Vaginal yeast infection: Infection in the vaginal area
- Invasive candidiasis: Serious infection that spreads to the blood or organs like the heart, brain, eyes, or kidneys. This type of infection is rare and usually occurs in people with weakened immune systems.
Candida infections do not usually spread from person to person, except in rare cases, such as in newborns or people with weak immune systems.
It is important to treat Candida infection early to relieve symptoms and prevent the infection from getting worse or causing more serious problems. Antifungal medicines are the main treatment.
Causes of Candida infection
A Candida infection is caused by an overgrowth of Candida. This yeast naturally lives on the skin and inside the body and is usually harmless. But certain conditions can allow Candida to grow and cause infection.
Risk factors for Candida infection
Factors that increase your child’s risk of candidiasis include:
- Weak immune system or neutropenia (sometimes referred to as low blood counts)
- Recent or current treatments that weaken the immune system, such as organ or stem cell transplant, chemotherapy, or high doses of steroids
- Medical conditions or illnesses such as cancer, immune system disorders, or HIV infection
- Moisture that helps Candida grow
- Skin irritation
- Use of a feeding tube, central line, or catheter
- High blood sugar or diabetes
- Long-term use of antibiotics, which can reduce healthy bacteria that keep Candida growth under control
Why do antibiotics increase the risk of Candida yeast infections?
Your child is more likely to get a Candida infection while taking antibiotics or shortly after finishing them. The risk may be higher with longer antibiotic use. Normally, the good bacteria in the digestive tract help keep Candida under control. But antibiotic medicines can decrease the number of good bacteria, allowing Candida to grow and cause infection.
Diagnosis of Candida infection
Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about symptoms and antibiotic use.
They may take a sample from the affected area, such as the mouth or skin. The sample will be sent to a lab to identify the type of infection.
Other tests may include:
Treatment of Candida infection
Most Candida infections are treated with antifungal medicines. The type of medicine depends on the location and severity of the infection.
- Mouth or skin: Antifungal creams, ointments, or mouthwashes
- Severe or widespread infection: Antifungal medicines may be given by mouth or by IV.
Examples of antifungal medicines to treat candidiasis include fluconazole, amphotericin B, micafungin, and voriconazole.
How to prevent Candida infection
You can take steps to help prevent Candida infection:
- Follow your care team’s recommendation for daily mouth care.
- Keep skin clean and dry, especially in skin folds and the diaper area.
- Change diapers often.
- Make sure clothing is breathable and not too tight.
- Use antibiotics as directed by your health care provider.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This is especially important before caring for a central line.
- If your child has a weak immune system, follow your care team’s advice to lower the risk of infection.
Questions to ask your care team
- What is my child’s risk for Candida infection?
- What symptoms of candidiasis should I watch for?
- What can I do to prevent Candida infection in my child?
- How long does a Candida infection last?
- Is my child at higher risk for invasive candidiasis due to their medical condition or treatment?
- How do we keep the infection from coming back?
Key points about Candida infection
- Candida is a kind of yeast (fungus) that lives naturally on the skin and inside the body.
- An overgrowth of Candida can cause yeast infections (candidiasis), especially in people with weak immune systems.
- Candida infections can affect different parts of the body, including the mouth, skin, vagina, and bloodstream.
- Symptoms of candidiasis depend on where the infection is located.
- Candida can sometimes cause a rare but serious infection called invasive candidiasis that can affect the blood or organs.
- Candida infections are diagnosed by testing a sample from the affected area.
- Antifungal medicines are used to treat most Candida infections.
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