Have You Heard of Candida fungus?

If you have suffered from ringworm, athlete’s foot or nail infections, you must also know that these are fungal infections, caused by overgrowth of fungus in our bodies. Fungal infections are common and it affects more than a billion people every year. Most fungal infections are likely to be a result of abnormal growth of Candida fungus.

Candida fungus is a type of parasitic fungi that is already present in our bodies and they are supposed to be harmless to humans. So what makes them become infectious in our bodies? The overgrowth and multiplication of fungi in our body is promoted by our weak immune systems, increased usage of antibiotics, unhealthy eating habits, psychological stress and hormonal changes due to period or pregnancy in women. Fungal infection can infect anyone but people living with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and all those with weaker body immune system are at a higher risk of being infected.

Some studies and experiments reveal that there are over 150 species of Candida fungus. Candida albicans is a species of candida that is present in the skin, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and is mainly responsible for bloodstream infections since they release various toxins into the blood. The infections due to other Candida species such as C. glabrata and C. rugosa are also on the rise since they are not affected by the antifungal used to treat fungal infections. However, there are also some medically important species like C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. dubliniensis and there are others like C. oleophila, which are used as biological pest control for fruits.

Candida is a Latin word which means “white” in association with purity and salvation, but in this situation, it is associated with the white color Candida species, C. albicans. Moreover, the people infected with Candida fungus shows white spots in the infected areas such as tongues and mouth and even the genital discharge is sometimes white. Along with these symptoms for these infections are red rashes, bad odor, burning sensation and itching around the infected parts of the body.  Sometimes, it can also be painful while eating in case of mouth infection and in urination if you have infection in the genital area.   

These fungal infections are common but they also have a cure. So just make sure to live a healthy stress-free life to have a stronger immunity against every diseases and infections and not only fungal infections.