Men, women, children, the elderly, almost anyone can contract a yeast infection. Most times yeast infections are only associated with women but yeast, particularly Candida yeast, are found on the skin of every human being. When conditions on or in your body change to Candida’s ideal growing environment, the population of Candida increases in that area and you get a yeast infection. Yeast particularly like warm and moist areas to live, so areas like the mouth and inside your body are ideal yeast environments. Vaginal yeast infections, nail bed infections, skin infections, diaper rash and mouth and throat infections are the most common types of yeast 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 with weakened immune systems are also more likely to get a yeast infection. It is this type of yeast infection in which the body can’t fight that can cause death. When your immune system is weak form cancer treatment, steroids, AIDS and other diseases the yeast infection can occur anywhere in the body and infections that occur in the blood, brain, eye, kidney, heart, lungs, liver and spleen can be hard to overcome.

Up to 15% of all individuals with a weakened immune system get a systemic illness from yeast infections. In this case the yeast has somehow managed to access your blood stream, wither through cell breakdown, cuts, needle punctures, catheters or IV drips. The bacteria that normally would control or kill the yeast are not present as your current medical treatment, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore your body has lost its natural defense against the yeast.

An oral yeast infection, also called thrush, develop thick, white lacy patterns on the tongue, palate and anywhere else in the mouth. Most times these white patchy areas have a red base and if you scrape away the patch it may cause bleeding. Thrush can be quite painful and make it difficult to eat; it is easy for a person to become dehydrated when they have thrush.

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 three types of treatment for yeast infections, over the counter medication, holistic healing treatment and prescription medication. The type of treatment you need, will depend on the type of yeast infection you have, although natural remedies have proven to very beneficial. Also if you find that the over the counter medication isn’t working or that your yeast infection is recurring you may need more effective treatment that only a doctor can prescribe.

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.