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Candida is a yeast type of fungus, which can cause thrush. It is normally present in a healthy person but, when present in excess, can cause disease or reduced immunity. The fungus tends to cause a profuse vaginal discharge of a thick or curdy nature, with patches of white on the vulva or vagina. Symptoms include itching, soreness and discomfort and the appearance of a skin rash similar to eczema. Which areas tend to be affected? Candida affects the moist areas of the body, such as the mouth, vagina, skin folds, groin and axilla. The nails can also be affected. This is known as paronychia, (abscess or inflammation of the nail). The appearance of symptoms is associated with a number of factors. These include ;
Candida commonly occurs after treatment with oral contraceptives or antibiotics since these drugs alter the normal bacterial balance in the body. After antibiotics, 80% of women have evidence of candida whilst around one third of those will have symptoms. It is important to keep the area dry and clean. Specific treatment is given by antifungal agents. Alternative management is by taking probiotics, such as lactobacillus acidophillus or bifido bacteria which are considered ‘friendly bacteria’. They can be found in ‘live’ yoghurt and products like cottage cheese, or in a supplement form. Adopting a low-sugar diet can also help to prevent an overgrowth of candida in the gut. Tea Tree (Maleluca Alternafolia) is a powerful old aboriginal remedy used for its powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal qualities. It is reported that the Australian government exempted leaf cutters from national service so that they could produce tea tree oil which was used by the Army as a general disinfectant(1). One report revealed that one teaspoon added to a pint of water is effective for the treatment of vaginal thrush. Daily douching supplemented with weekly use of tampons soaked in the solution is reported to have a soothing effect on the mucosa (2). (1) Australian J Pharm, 1988; 69: 276-80 (2) Ob Gyn 1962; 19:793-5 A study carried out by researchers at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New York, USA which investigated the benefits of live yoghurt in the prevention of vaginal thrush infections. The object of the study was to assess whether daily ingestion of live yogurt (i.e. containing Lactobacillus acidophilus) prevents vulvo-vaginal candidal infections. In a one year crossover trial which lasted for one year, patients were examined for candidal infections and colonizations while receiving either a yogurt-free or a yogurt-containing diet. Patients were put on one of the two diets for six months and then asked to change to the other diet. Thirty-three women with recurrent candidal vaginitis were recruited from community practices and clinics and through advertising. However, twelve of the patients were eliminated for protocol violations, and of the remaining twenty one patients, eight who were initially assigned to the yogurt group refused to enter the control phase six months later (because they were so pleased with the results of the yoghurt diet), leaving thirteen patients who completed the protocol throughout the study. The results revealed a threefold decrease in infections when patients consumed yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus. The mean number of infections per 6 months was 2.54 when on the control diet and 0.38 per 6 months on the yogurt diet. Candidal colonization decreased from a mean of 3.23 per 6 months in the control group to 0.84 per 6 months in the yogurt group. The researchers therefore concluded that including 8 ounces of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus to the diet decreased both candidal colonization and infection. Hilton E; Isenberg HD; Alperstein P; France K; Borenstein MT Ingestion of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus as prophylaxis for candidal vaginitis [see comments]Division of Infectious Diseases, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11042.Ann Intern Med (UNITED STATES) Mar 1 1992, 116 (5) p353-7
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