Candida sp., especially Candida albicans, are the most common fungal pathogens that affect humans. They are part of the normal flora of the skin, the genitals and the digestive tract and usually cause infections in individuals whose immunity has been weakened due to HIV, cancer, diabetes or antibiotic therapy. These infections can range from mild conditions like vaginal infections, oral thrush, skin rash and diaper rash to more serious and life-threatening conditions like systemic candidiasis and hepatosplenic candidiasis.
Natural Remedies
Mild Candida infections, such as vaginal infections and oral thrush, can be treated using natural home remedies with good results. Common techniques include the following: avoiding foods rich in sugar and starch; avoiding fermented foods, such as alcohol and soy sauce; eating vegetables like cabbage, garlic, onions and broccoli; eating probiotics such as yogurt, which is rich in lactobacilli; taking vitamin C and vitamin E supplements to boost immunity; and avoiding tight-fitting clothes that can cause sweating and damp skin.
Only patients who are positively convinced that their infections are due to Candida sp. should try these home remedies. Also, individuals with fever, pelvic pain or sexually transmitted diseases and pregnant women should consult a doctor before trying these remedies.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Several nonprescription creams, lotions and lozenges are available in pharmacies to treat simple Candida infections. Miconazole, clotrimazole, tioconazole and butoconazole can effectively treat vaginal Candida infections when applied to the affected area for about a week. Nystatin is the most common drug to treat oral thrush, especially in adults. Hygiene and cleanliness play an important role in the overall management of the disease. It is important to sterilize baby bottles, nipples and tethers to control the infection in infants. It may also be helpful to check the breasts of nursing mothers to prevent the oral transmission of Candida sp. Clotrimazole can treat skin rash and diaper rash when combined with regular diaper changes and barrier creams.
As with natural remedies, these medications should be taken only if there is a strong indication of Candida infection. It is important to read the package carefully and use medications as directed. If the symptoms persist or become worse, consult a doctor.
Prescription Medications
Prescription medications are usually required to treat Candida infections in immunocompromised individuals. Oral antifungal therapy with an extended spectrum antifungal such as fluconazole or itraconazole is given to treat oral thrush and skin infections in cases where nonprescription medications are ineffective. High doses of fluconazole is given intravenously for 14 to 21 days to treat severe Candida infections like esophagitis and cystitis. And, according to the new treatment guidelines published by the Infectious Disease Society of America, potentially fatal conditions like renal candidiasis, blood infections and hepatosplenic candidiasis should be treated using intravenous adminstration of antifungals like fluconazole, amphotericin B, micafungin or voriconazole.
Surgery
Major infections of such organs as the spleen, heart and eye by Candida sp. may require surgery and removal or replacement of the affected part. In the August 2008 issue of Future Microbiology, Amy Chang of Thomas Jefferson University states that sternal and vertebral infections may also require the removal of the infected tissue. Candida infections of a prosthetic joint may require the removal of the prosthesis.
