Monilia is another name for Candida, a group of yeasts that can cause infections if the balance of bacteria and yeast in the body is not appropriate. Candida albicans is the most well-known form of this yeast. Symptoms of a Monilia infection include skin itching and irritation, and treatment involves the use of over-the-counter creams or oral antifungal medications. Natural health tips to prevent yeast infections include avoiding harsh cleansers, douches, and strong soaps, avoiding high-sugar diets, eating lots of yogurt, and keeping traditionally “wet” areas of the body clean and dry.
Monilia is a less commonly used name for Candida. People may recognize the term Candida as the name of several yeasts that can live on or in the human body without too much trouble, or that can cause a variety of infections if the balance of bacteria and yeast in the body is not at appropriate levels. It should be recognized that Monilia or Candida are the actual names for a group of yeasts, while moniliasis or candidiasis would be names for yeast infections. This distinction is not always made.
One of the best-known forms of this yeast is Candida albicans, but there are other yeasts of the Candida group that can cause infections. As mentioned above, most people have yeast living on and in their bodies. It lives in the vagina, in the area around the groin, on the hands, in the mouth, and in places like the intestines. Typically, this is a minor issue, but the impact can change due to a variety of factors.
When a yeast infection occurs, it can affect any of the places just mentioned. It could cause conditions such as vaginal yeast infection, thrush (yeast in the mouth), athlete’s foot, fungal infections of the fingers or toenails, itching, and skin infection between skin folds, particularly in those who are overweight . It’s not always known why this yeast can suddenly become so dominant, but there are certain factors that tend to increase the risk of candidiasis.
These include a lowered immune system due to diseases such as HIV or due to transplant or cancer treatments. People with diabetes are more prone to yeast infections. Taking antibiotics, which can throw your natural skin flora out of balance, appears to pose risks for conditions like thrush or vaginal yeast infection. Areas with hotter temperatures can also cause more Monilia infections because the yeast tends to thrive in warmer environments. People who are significantly overweight are especially prone to yeast infections in the skin folds as these areas get little air and can be moist quite constantly.
Symptoms of a Monilia infection tend to include skin itching and irritation, and the skin may start to take on an unusual white appearance. This is common with conditions like thrush in the mouth. If left unchecked, yeast infections in certain places, such as the fingers and toes, can start to infect the nails causing yellowing and thickening or degradation of the nails. If people suspect Monilia is creating the problem, they should seriously consider treatment.
Early yeast infection symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from other causes of skin irritation, and confirmation with a doctor is a good idea. Treatment in the initial stages, with the exception of oral yeast, is often the use of over-the-counter creams that will kill the Candida organism. If a yeast infection is very advanced, using creams or lotions may not be enough. In this case, doctors may prescribe oral antifungal medications.
Whether it’s ingesting or applying the medicine, it’s important to use it all up. People often stop using their medications as soon as they feel better. This tends to make the infection come back with greater force.
Monilia has a long relationship with the human body. It is impossible to eradicate all yeast from the body in the same way that it is relatively impossible to remove bacteria from the body. Some people seem to be more prone to yeast infections of all kinds and there are some natural health tips for those that are. These include avoiding things like harsh cleansers, douches, and strong soaps on your hands or feet. Other health tips include avoiding high-sugar diets, eating lots of yogurt, and keeping traditionally “wet” areas of the body, such as skin folds, clean and dry.
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