Thrush is a common infection caused by one of the Candida species of fungi. When Candida infects the skin, the resulting disease is called cutaneous candidiasis. Diaper rash, oral thrush, and vaginal yeast infections are examples of cutaneous candidiasis.
Candida are yeasts approximately 4 microns to 6 microns in length. They reproduce by producing new yeasts in the parent yeast cell. Members of the Candida group are found naturally on the skin, in the mouth, in the vagina, and in the intestines. They cause disease due to overgrowth under certain conditions, such as high blood sugar, antibiotic treatment, or poor hygiene. The group includes 154 species, but the species Candida albicans is the most common cause of cutaneous candidiasis.
Symptoms of a Candida skin infection include itching, rashes, and skin lesions. Skin lesions can have satellite lesions, which means that smaller lesions appear close to larger lesions. The affected area is red with swelling and the rash spreads outwards. Hair follicles can also become infected, creating a condition known as folliculitis, which is why pimples appear on the skin.
The most common locations for cutaneous candidiasis are moist, warm, and wrinkled areas, such as the groin or armpits, but the infection can affect almost any area of skin on the body. Diaper rash occurs because the skin under the diaper stays warm and moist. Cutaneous candidiasis can also cause nail infections and infections of the corner of the mouth.
Risk factors for cutaneous candidiasis include obesity, poor hygiene, and diabetes. Antibiotic treatment and oral contraceptives also increase the risk of developing the disease. People with immunodeficiency diseases and people who have recently taken antibiotics are more likely than the general population to develop oral candidiasis.
Doctors diagnose the disease primarily through the appearance of the skin, but may also take skin scrapings for microbiological identification of the yeast. Treatment includes topical antifungal creams or ointments for skin infections, but people with nail infections or infections involving the mouth, throat, or vagina can take oral medications. The skin should also be kept dry and exposed to air. Cutaneous candidiasis in obese people can be eliminated through weight loss, and diabetics can reduce their risk by avoiding high blood sugar levels.
Nail infection can cause nails to grow in strange ways. The disease in immunocompromised people can spread throughout the body. Cutaneous candidiasis is treatable, but recurrent infections are common.