Candidiasis
What is it?
Candidiasis (thrush, moniliasis) is an infection caused by various strains of Candida, parasites ‘fungi’, especially Candida albicans. Infection of mucous membranes, as in the mouth or vagina, is common among individuals with normal immune systems. However, these conditions are more frequent or persistent in diabetics or AIDS patients and pregnant women.
They are among the most common diseases that affect humans and can even be said that almost all men throughout his life ever suffer. There are three types of human fungal infections: superficial, intermediate and deep candidiasis. The usual in Spain are the surface and candidiasis. In this section we discuss mucocutaneous candidiasis, which pathogen is the Candida albicans.Causes
Most are saprophytic Candida species and may form part of the skin flora with the exception of Candida albicans is when the skin is an etiologic agent of primary candidiasis. There are multiple factors predisposing to candidal infection: a host dependent and other environmental conditions.
Within the first are the physiological, genetic and acquired. So babies, women in the premenstrual period or pregnant patients with Down syndrome, diabetes, lymphomas, leukemias, taking antibiotics or corticosteroids or immunosuppressive or have debilitating diseases are more easily able to develop this dermatosis. Environmental factors moisture, heat, chronic maceration, for example, the corners in the elderly, the ill-fitting dentures, the friction between two skin surfaces favor infestation.