Cutaneous candidiasis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Skin infection - fungal; Fungal infection - skin; Skin infection - yeast; Yeast infection - skin; Intertriginous candidiasis

Treatment:

General hygiene is vital to the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis. Keeping the skin dry and exposed to air is helpful. Weight loss may eliminate the problem in obese people. Proper blood sugar control may also be helpful to those with diabetes.

Antifungal skin creams or ointments may be used to treat infection of the skin, mouth, or vagina. Antifungal medications taken by mouth may be necessary for folliculitis, nail infection, or severe candida infections involving the mouth, throat, or vagina.

Expectations (prognosis):

Cutaneous candidiasis usually goes away with treatment. Repeat infections are common.

Complications:

Infection of nails may cause nails to become oddly shaped and may cause infection around the nail
Recurrence (repeat episodes) of candida skin infection
Widespread (disseminated) candidiasis may occur in immunocompromised individuals

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of cutaneous candidiasis.

Candida, flourescent stain

Candidiasis, cutaneous - around the mouth

Reviewed last on: 9/15/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kauffman CA. Candidiasis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 359.

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