Vaginal yeast infections

 Vaginal yeast infections

Yeast infections (also known as yeast infections) are a common infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans , a type of fungus.

Yeast infections usually occur in the hottest and most humid parts of the body, such as the mouth and the most humid areas of the skin. When the infection occurs in the vagina, this condition is called "vaginal candidiasis." Vaginal yeast infections abound in growing girls, and about 75% of all women have such an infection at some point in life.

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Vaginal yeast infections can cause pain, itching, redness, thick white vaginal discharge, stinging or discomfort when urinating, and sometimes whitish patches of skin in the vaginal area. These infections can usually be prevented by keeping the vaginal area clean and dry.

If your daughter has a vaginal yeast infection, her pediatrician or gynecologist will prescribe the appropriate treatment, which will eliminate the symptoms in a couple of days and clear the infection within a week.

Causes
Yeasts of the genus Candida are normally found in small amounts on the skin and in the mouth, digestive tract and vagina, without causing any problems. The amount of yeast of the genus Candida present in a person's body is kept under control thanks to a healthy immune system and some bacteria that are "good" or beneficial for the body.

Symptoms appear when the amount of yeast of the genus Candida grows excessively, causing an infection. For example, if a person has a weakened immune system (due to a disease or the fact of having taken chemotherapy or steroids), the yeasts of the genus Candida present in the vagina multiply and cause symptoms of a yeast infection.

Sometimes the overgrowth of this type of yeast occurs after a girl has taken antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection (such as strep throat), because antibiotics can kill the "good" bacteria that are responsible for keeping it under control. yeast growth. Yeasts can also multiply when a girl's blood sugar is high. Girls with uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to develop yeast infections.

Yeasts proliferate in humid and dark environments, so that clothes (especially underwear) that are too tight and / or that are made with fabrics such as nylon, which retain heat and humidity, favor the yeast infections

As girls mature and go through puberty, the hormonal changes they experience make them more vulnerable to yeast infections; girls sometimes develop vaginal yeast infections just before their menstruation. Pregnant women are also more likely to develop these types of infections. Girls who have not yet gone through puberty are less likely to develop vaginal yeast infections, but they can develop them as well. Therefore, if you have a young daughter who complains of itching and discomfort in the vaginal area, it is important to see her doctor.

Vaginal yeast infections can occur in any girl or girl and are not considered sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), but they can also be spread through sexual intercourse.

Prevention
For most girls, there is no way to prevent yeast infections. Girls can be more comfortable and have less irritation in the vaginal area by wearing cotton underwear, loose clothing, and avoiding sprays and douching. But there is no scientific evidence that doing this helps prevent vaginal yeast infections. If your daughter has diabetes, keeping her blood sugar level in good control will help her avoid vaginal yeast infections.

If you think your daughter has one of these infections, see her doctor. Do not give leftover antibiotics, antibiotics from someone else, or any other medicine, because they could be counterproductive for your daughter's condition. In addition, taking antibiotics when they are not necessary favors fungal infections.

Treatment
If your daughter has any symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, such as itching or abnormal vaginal discharge, she should be seen by her doctor or gynecologist. There are other infections that produce symptoms similar to vaginal yeast infections but require different treatments. Your healthcare provider may ask your daughter to collect a urine sample (to rule out a UTI ) and to collect a sample of vaginal discharge for examination under a microscope.

If your daughter turns out to have a vaginal yeast infection, her doctor will prescribe a medication to take by mouth or a vaginal cream, tablets, or suppositories, which will clear her symptoms quickly (within a few days) and they will cure the infection within a week. Anyone undergoing vaginal treatment should abstain from sexual intercourse until treatment is completed; In addition, these medications can weaken the stability of condoms and diaphragms.

If your daughter does not improve within a few days after finishing treatment, call the doctor.