What Are the Symptoms of Candida Infection?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsSummary

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Frequent Symptoms

Rare Symptoms

Complications

Summary

Candidais a type of fungus that everyone has on their skin and in their body. Usually, bacteria in our bodies keep it under control andCandidacauses no problems, but if it overgrows, it can cause an infection.Candidainfection, orcandidiasis, most commonly affects the mouth, skin, digestive system, or vagina.Taking antibiotics, having a weakened immune system, and smoking can make you more likely to develop aCandidainfection. Symptoms include mouth sores, pain when urinating, vaginal discharge, and digestive problems.

Frequent Symptoms of Candida Infection

The symptoms ofCandidainfection depend on what part of the body it affects. The most frequent symptoms of the most common forms of aCandidainfection include thrush, yeast infection, digestive problems, and skin issues.

Candida of the Mouth and Throat (Thrush)

Candidathat develops in the mouth is more common in babies and older adults. Initially, you may not notice symptoms, but symptoms may include:

Thrush is not serious in most people, but if your immune system is weakened, it can spread to the esophagus and make swallowing difficult or painful. Good oral hygiene can help prevent thrush.

Vaginal Candida (Yeast Infection)

People who use birth control pills, are pregnant, or have diabetes are among those who are more susceptible to yeast infections. Most women will have one at some point in their lives.

Common symptoms of yeast infections include:

Men can also get yeast infections of the penis which, like vaginal yeast infections, can be treated with over-the-counter fungal creams.

Candida in the Digestive System

Candidalives naturally in yourgut, but forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can cause it to overgrow.If so, symptoms can occur, including:

The connection between IBD andCandidais not confirmed, but there is some evidence that they may be linked.

Candida on the Skin or Nails

TheCandidafungus can also grow on yourskin, often around the genitals, mouth, nail beds, and in folds of the skin.Symptoms include:

Topical creams and ointments can usually treat skin infections fromCandida.

How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection on Your Face

Rare Symptoms of Candida Infection

Candidemia usually develops in people who are sick with other diseases, so the symptoms can be hard to identify and depend on what part of the body is affected.

Symptoms may include:

Complications of Candida Infection

Candidaof the mouth, vagina, and abdominal tract rarely causes complications in healthy individuals after treatment. If you don’t treat them, however, they can get worse.

If you have health conditions that weaken your immune system, you could be more susceptible to complications, which include:

New Form of Candida: Cause for Concern?There is an emerging form of the fungus,Candida auris, that is drug-resistant and may spread in healthcare facilities.The symptoms vary according to the nature of the infection, but people infected withCandida auris(C. auris) should be kept separate from other individuals with underlying health conditions.C. aurisis a low threat to healthy individuals.

New Form of Candida: Cause for Concern?

There is an emerging form of the fungus,Candida auris, that is drug-resistant and may spread in healthcare facilities.The symptoms vary according to the nature of the infection, but people infected withCandida auris(C. auris) should be kept separate from other individuals with underlying health conditions.C. aurisis a low threat to healthy individuals.

When to See a Doctor for Candida Infection

There are over-the-counter treatments for vaginal yeast infections, but if you have them repeatedly, your healthcare provider can prescribe you a stronger medication if needed.

Candidainfections can be a sign of an underlying condition like diabetes, so discussing with your healthcare provider is always advisable.

Candidafungi can be found in every person’s skin and body. They usually aren’t harmful, but they can cause infections if they overgrows.Candidainfection commonly affects the mouth, skin, digestive system, or vagina. Symptoms include mouth sores, painful urination, vaginal discharge, and digestive issues.

A Word From Verywell

Candidafungi live in all of us, and only cause problems if they overgrow. If you have a weak immune system, you may be more likely to develop aCandidainfection. These infections are largely treatable, so while symptoms shouldn’t be ignored, they are not a cause for deep concern.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis basics.Cleveland Clinic.Thrush.Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal yeast infections.Kumamoto CA.Inflammation and gastrointestinal Candida colonization.Current Opinion in Microbiology. 2011;14(4):386-391. doi:10.1016/j.mib.2011.07.015Fritsch J, Abreu MT.Candida in IBD: friend or foe?Cell Host & Microbe. 2020;27(5):689-691. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2020.04.018MedlinePlus.Candida infection of the skin.American Thoracic Society.Candidemia (blood infection) and other Candida infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of candidiasis.Oral Cancer Foundation.Candida infection.Kauffman CA.Complications of candidemia in icu patients: endophthalmitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis.Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;36(5):641-649. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1562891Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About C. auris.

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis basics.Cleveland Clinic.Thrush.Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal yeast infections.Kumamoto CA.Inflammation and gastrointestinal Candida colonization.Current Opinion in Microbiology. 2011;14(4):386-391. doi:10.1016/j.mib.2011.07.015Fritsch J, Abreu MT.Candida in IBD: friend or foe?Cell Host & Microbe. 2020;27(5):689-691. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2020.04.018MedlinePlus.Candida infection of the skin.American Thoracic Society.Candidemia (blood infection) and other Candida infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of candidiasis.Oral Cancer Foundation.Candida infection.Kauffman CA.Complications of candidemia in icu patients: endophthalmitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis.Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;36(5):641-649. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1562891Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About C. auris.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis basics.Cleveland Clinic.Thrush.Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal yeast infections.Kumamoto CA.Inflammation and gastrointestinal Candida colonization.Current Opinion in Microbiology. 2011;14(4):386-391. doi:10.1016/j.mib.2011.07.015Fritsch J, Abreu MT.Candida in IBD: friend or foe?Cell Host & Microbe. 2020;27(5):689-691. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2020.04.018MedlinePlus.Candida infection of the skin.American Thoracic Society.Candidemia (blood infection) and other Candida infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of candidiasis.Oral Cancer Foundation.Candida infection.Kauffman CA.Complications of candidemia in icu patients: endophthalmitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis.Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;36(5):641-649. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1562891Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About C. auris.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis basics.

Cleveland Clinic.Thrush.

Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal yeast infections.

Kumamoto CA.Inflammation and gastrointestinal Candida colonization.Current Opinion in Microbiology. 2011;14(4):386-391. doi:10.1016/j.mib.2011.07.015

Fritsch J, Abreu MT.Candida in IBD: friend or foe?Cell Host & Microbe. 2020;27(5):689-691. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2020.04.018

MedlinePlus.Candida infection of the skin.

American Thoracic Society.Candidemia (blood infection) and other Candida infections.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of candidiasis.

Oral Cancer Foundation.Candida infection.

Kauffman CA.Complications of candidemia in icu patients: endophthalmitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis.Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;36(5):641-649. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1562891

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About C. auris.

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