Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVisual CuesChanges During TreatmentNext Steps
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Visual Cues
Changes During Treatment
Next Steps
A yeast infection occurs when fungus becomes overgrown on or inside the body. The most common fungus to cause a yeast infection is theCandidaspecies. When people hear the term yeast infection, they often think of a vaginal infection because they are quite common.The appearance of a yeast infection will vary significantly depending on where it’s located and how severe it is. For example, when it occurs within the vagina, it typically presents with thick whitedischarge. Skin yeast infections will cause patches of scaly skin on the body.This article discusses the various types of yeast infections and what they look like.Viktor Cvetkovic / Getty ImagesA Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.Yeast Infection Visual Cues (Besides Pain)Several visual signs can indicate that you have developed a yeast infection. They depend on where the infection is located and can include:Vaginal Yeast InfectionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.Avaginal yeast infectionis the most commonly known type. The most significant visual sign of a vaginal yeast infection is the thick,white dischargethat develops. It is similar to cottage cheese in appearance.Other visual signs of a vaginal yeast infection include:Inflammation or swelling around the areaRednessTears, cracks, or sores on the skinHow Common are Vaginal Yeast Infections?Vaginal yeast infections are highly common. Roughly 75% of females will have a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime.Vaginal DischargePenile Yeast InfectionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.Penile yeast infectionsare far less common than vaginal, but they can develop if a male hasunprotected sexwith a female when a yeast infection is present. The visual signs of a yeast infection in males include:Red rashSmall red spots on the glans (head of the penis)Yellow or white discharge from the penisCottage-cheese-like substance underneath the foreskinHow Common Are Penile Yeast Infections?As many as 15% of males will develop a yeast infection after having unprotected sex with someone who has one.Can a Man Give a Woman a Yeast Infection?MouthThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022.If a fungus grows uncontrollably in the mouth, it can lead to anoral yeast infection or thrush. Physical symptoms of oral thrush include:White patches on the tongue, the cheeks, the roof of the mouth, or the back of the throatIf scraped off, the area underneath the white patches will be red and inflamedCracked skin in the corners of the mouthHow Common Is Oral Thrush?Oral thrush isn’t common in healthy adults and is more likely to develop in infants. Roughly 5% to 7% of infants will develop oral thrush.Other Body FoldsThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.In rarer cases, a yeast infection can occur in the skin folds. The way it looks will depend on where it is located, but it will typically present as:A red and inflamed rashCrusty lesionsFlaky skinPustules that look like pimplesThe skin will develop lighter or darker patches when a yeast infection is present. In people with darker skin tones, the patches tend to be lighter than the skin.Differences Between Yeast Infections and Other AilmentsA yeast infection can feel similar to other issues, including pH imbalances and urinary tract infections (UTIs). A pH imbalance and UTI are unlikely to cause cottage cheese-like discharge.Getting Rid of a Yeast Infection on Your SkinHow Yeast Infection Appearance ChangesOver the course of a yeast infection, its appearance may change depending on its severity and duration.Yeast Infection, STD, or Something Else?From Mild to Severe InfectionSevere yeast infections are more likely to cause more severe symptoms, such as extensive redness and swelling andcutsor cracked skin in the area. Those that are mild may only present with altered discharge.During HealingDuring the healing process, yeast infections will slowly improve over a few days to a week after you start treatment.You will notice fewer physical symptoms, and the visual signs of infection, such as swelling, inflammation, redness, cracked skin, a rash, or discharge, will slowly dissipate.How Long Does a Yeast Infection Last?Next Steps if You See Signs of a Yeast InfectionThe first thing you should do if you notice any signs of a yeast infection, regardless of where it is on your body, is call your healthcare provider.They can provide guidance on whether you can try at-home remedies, such as over-the-counter antifungals, or you need to come in to get a definitive diagnosis and prescription treatment.How Vaginal Yeast Infection Is TreatedSummaryAn overgrowth of fungus causes yeast infections. They can happen in various areas of the body, such as the genitals, mouth, and skin, and the appearance of the infection will vary depending on what area is affected.Typically, you will notice some redness, swelling, and, if in the genital area, discharge. If you suspect you may have a yeast infection, contacting your healthcare provider is essential. They will help diagnose and provide treatment for clearing up the infection.
A yeast infection occurs when fungus becomes overgrown on or inside the body. The most common fungus to cause a yeast infection is theCandidaspecies. When people hear the term yeast infection, they often think of a vaginal infection because they are quite common.
The appearance of a yeast infection will vary significantly depending on where it’s located and how severe it is. For example, when it occurs within the vagina, it typically presents with thick whitedischarge. Skin yeast infections will cause patches of scaly skin on the body.
This article discusses the various types of yeast infections and what they look like.
Viktor Cvetkovic / Getty Images
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Yeast Infection Visual Cues (Besides Pain)
Several visual signs can indicate that you have developed a yeast infection. They depend on where the infection is located and can include:
Vaginal Yeast Infection
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
Avaginal yeast infectionis the most commonly known type. The most significant visual sign of a vaginal yeast infection is the thick,white dischargethat develops. It is similar to cottage cheese in appearance.
Other visual signs of a vaginal yeast infection include:
How Common are Vaginal Yeast Infections?Vaginal yeast infections are highly common. Roughly 75% of females will have a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime.
How Common are Vaginal Yeast Infections?
Vaginal yeast infections are highly common. Roughly 75% of females will have a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime.
Vaginal Discharge
Penile Yeast Infection
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Penile yeast infectionsare far less common than vaginal, but they can develop if a male hasunprotected sexwith a female when a yeast infection is present. The visual signs of a yeast infection in males include:
How Common Are Penile Yeast Infections?As many as 15% of males will develop a yeast infection after having unprotected sex with someone who has one.
How Common Are Penile Yeast Infections?
As many as 15% of males will develop a yeast infection after having unprotected sex with someone who has one.
Can a Man Give a Woman a Yeast Infection?
Mouth
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022.
If a fungus grows uncontrollably in the mouth, it can lead to anoral yeast infection or thrush. Physical symptoms of oral thrush include:
How Common Is Oral Thrush?Oral thrush isn’t common in healthy adults and is more likely to develop in infants. Roughly 5% to 7% of infants will develop oral thrush.
How Common Is Oral Thrush?
Oral thrush isn’t common in healthy adults and is more likely to develop in infants. Roughly 5% to 7% of infants will develop oral thrush.
Other Body Folds
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
In rarer cases, a yeast infection can occur in the skin folds. The way it looks will depend on where it is located, but it will typically present as:
The skin will develop lighter or darker patches when a yeast infection is present. In people with darker skin tones, the patches tend to be lighter than the skin.
Differences Between Yeast Infections and Other AilmentsA yeast infection can feel similar to other issues, including pH imbalances and urinary tract infections (UTIs). A pH imbalance and UTI are unlikely to cause cottage cheese-like discharge.
Differences Between Yeast Infections and Other Ailments
A yeast infection can feel similar to other issues, including pH imbalances and urinary tract infections (UTIs). A pH imbalance and UTI are unlikely to cause cottage cheese-like discharge.
Getting Rid of a Yeast Infection on Your Skin
How Yeast Infection Appearance Changes
Over the course of a yeast infection, its appearance may change depending on its severity and duration.
Yeast Infection, STD, or Something Else?
From Mild to Severe Infection
Severe yeast infections are more likely to cause more severe symptoms, such as extensive redness and swelling andcutsor cracked skin in the area. Those that are mild may only present with altered discharge.
During Healing
During the healing process, yeast infections will slowly improve over a few days to a week after you start treatment.
You will notice fewer physical symptoms, and the visual signs of infection, such as swelling, inflammation, redness, cracked skin, a rash, or discharge, will slowly dissipate.
How Long Does a Yeast Infection Last?
Next Steps if You See Signs of a Yeast Infection
The first thing you should do if you notice any signs of a yeast infection, regardless of where it is on your body, is call your healthcare provider.
They can provide guidance on whether you can try at-home remedies, such as over-the-counter antifungals, or you need to come in to get a definitive diagnosis and prescription treatment.
How Vaginal Yeast Infection Is Treated
Summary
An overgrowth of fungus causes yeast infections. They can happen in various areas of the body, such as the genitals, mouth, and skin, and the appearance of the infection will vary depending on what area is affected.
Typically, you will notice some redness, swelling, and, if in the genital area, discharge. If you suspect you may have a yeast infection, contacting your healthcare provider is essential. They will help diagnose and provide treatment for clearing up the infection.
8 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. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.InformedHealth.org.Overview: vaginal yeast infection (thrush).Healthdirect Australia.Genital thrush in males.InformedHealth.org.Overview: oral thrush.Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S.Clinical appearance of oral candida infection and therapeutic strategies.Front Microbiol.2015 Dec 17;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391Mount Sinai.Candida infection of the skin.MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing candidiasis.
8 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. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.InformedHealth.org.Overview: vaginal yeast infection (thrush).Healthdirect Australia.Genital thrush in males.InformedHealth.org.Overview: oral thrush.Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S.Clinical appearance of oral candida infection and therapeutic strategies.Front Microbiol.2015 Dec 17;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391Mount Sinai.Candida infection of the skin.MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing candidiasis.
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. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.InformedHealth.org.Overview: vaginal yeast infection (thrush).Healthdirect Australia.Genital thrush in males.InformedHealth.org.Overview: oral thrush.Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S.Clinical appearance of oral candida infection and therapeutic strategies.Front Microbiol.2015 Dec 17;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391Mount Sinai.Candida infection of the skin.MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing candidiasis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.
InformedHealth.org.Overview: vaginal yeast infection (thrush).
Healthdirect Australia.Genital thrush in males.
InformedHealth.org.Overview: oral thrush.
Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S.Clinical appearance of oral candida infection and therapeutic strategies.Front Microbiol.2015 Dec 17;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391
Mount Sinai.Candida infection of the skin.
MedlinePlus.Vaginal yeast infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing candidiasis.
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