Fungal Infection

Fungal infection, also known as mycosis, is the state of the body or certain parts of the body when certain fungi overwhelms the immune system of the body and causes an infection thereof.

Actually, fungi are a common part of the human body. They are actually naturally occurring microorganisms in the body and are kept in check from uncontrolled spreading through the actions of other microorganisms in the body. They are also present all around us, in the air, the water and everything we can touch.





As a life form, the fungus is actually a very primitive vegetable which are related to mildews, mushrooms and molds. According to research, not all fungi are harmful to the human body. Approximately half show signs of being dangerous to humans.

One common fungal infection is yeast infection. A yeast infection is usually caused by fungi of the species Candida. In the human body, yeast are ever present but are not harmful in that they are part of the normal flora of microorganisms in the body which, in themselves perform checks and balances so that no single microorganism can spread uncontrollably causing serious infections.

Yeast infections are a result of the natural flora becoming imbalanced so that yeast organisms gain an upper ground and begin to spread uncontrollably. This imbalance can be caused by external irritants such as detergents and other chemical irritants. Changes in the hormonal or physiological balance of the body can also cause yeast infections. Other causes include pregnancy, certain contraceptives, unsanitary sexual practices and even antibiotic use.

The places where yeast infections usually occur are around the parts of the body which are usually moist and are exposed. Yeast infections can involve the sexual body parts of a person such as in the vagina or vulva of women, in the foreskin or penis of men and in the nipples of breast feeding women. It can also occur as skin infections in the digits and, commonly among babies, in the skin around the diaper area. Oral yeast infection is also possible and is commonly known as oral thrush and is common among babies.

The common symptoms for yeast infections are intense itching, burning sensation, soreness and in vaginal yeast infection, a discharge of whitish or whitish gray discharge which appears similar to yoghurt.

The treatment of yeast infection often involves the use of antifungal treatments such as topical ketoconazle, topical nystatin, topicl clotrimazole and fluconazole. However, it is important to consider that the yeast fungi are part of the natural microorganism flora of the body. A mistaken treatment plan could eliminate the yeast fungi's natural resource competition so that the condition worsens instead of alleviates.