Diagnose a Yeast Infection at Home

Yeast is a candida fungus that normally lives in the body along with good bacteria and is usually kept in check by the immune system. However, sometimes the balance of yeast and bacteria can become disrupted and lead to the overgrowth of yeast. Too much yeast can cause what is called a yeast infection, which can occur in many areas of the body, including the skin, mouth, throat, and, most commonly, the vagina.[1] Having a yeast infection needn't embarrass you; about 75% of women will have at least one yeast infection during their lives.[2] Yeast infections can be very irritating so it is important to diagnose yeast infections and treat them as quickly as possible. To diagnose a yeast infection, you will need to know what symptoms to look for.

Steps

Recognizing Symptoms

  1. Look for red spots. Yeast infections can be found in areas such as the groin area, the folds of the buttocks, between the breasts, in your mouth and digestive tract, near the toes and fingers, and in the navel. In general, yeast thrives in places that are moister and have more nooks and crannies than other parts of the body.[3]
    • The red spots may become raised and begin to look like small, red pimples. Try to avoid scratching at these bumps; if you scratch them and they pop, the infection could spread to other parts of your body.
    • Note that babies commonly get yeast infections, which cause diaper rashes that bring about the redness and small bumps described above. This often appears in the skin creases, thighs and genital area and is caused most often by the moisture that's trapped in a dirty diaper when left on for too long.[4]
  2. Notice any itchiness. The skin and area of your body that is affected by the yeast infection will feel itchy and hypersensitive to touch. It may also become irritated by clothes or foreign objects rubbing against the infected spot.[5]
    • The infection might also cause you to feel a burning sensation in and around the area that is infected.
  3. Watch for symptoms that are specific to different kinds of yeast infections. There are three main kinds of yeast infections: vaginal infections, skin infections, and throat infections. Each type of infection has its own specific symptoms in addition to the symptoms listed above.[6]
    • Vaginal yeast infection: If you have a vaginal yeast infection, which is generally what people refer to when they say they have a yeast infection, you may notice that your vagina and vulva have become red, swollen, itchy and irritated. You may feel a burning or painful sensation when you urinate or have sex. Vaginal yeast infections are also often, but not always, accompanied by a thick (like cottage cheese), white, odorless discharge in the vagina. Note that 75% of women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lives.[3]
    • Skin infection: If you have a skin infection on your hands or feet, you may notice a rashes, patches, and blisters between the toes or fingers. You may also notice white spots beginning to form on the nails of the affected appendages.[6]
    • Know if You Have Oral Thrush: Yeast infections in the throat are also referred to as oral thrush. You will notice that your throat has become red and there may be white blister-like bumps or patches forming on the back of your mouth near your throat and on the tongue. You may also notice cracks at the corners of your mouth (angular cheilitis) and have some difficulty swallowing.[7]
  4. Consult a physician. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above for any of the potential types of yeast infection, you should see your doctor immediately for a firm diagnosis. This is particularly important if this is your first vaginal yeast infection.[8] It's important to get the diagnosis confirmed since there are different types of vaginal infections that are often misdiagnosed by women as yeast infections. Indeed, research has shown that only 35% of women were able to correctly diagnose a yeast infection from their symptoms alone.
    • Once you've experienced a vaginal yeast infection and had it diagnosed by a physician, you can self-diagnose such infections in the future and cure them with over-the-counter treatments.[9]
    • Be aware that recurrent yeast infections can be a sign of a more serious underlying disorder, such as diabetes, cancer or HIV-AIDs.[10]
    • You should also call your physician if your symptoms don’t improve after three days, if you have a fever or any of the symptoms change (e.g., vaginal discharge increases or changes color, new rashes appear on your body, etc.).[8]
  5. Purchase an at-home pH test. If you suspect you may have a vaginal yeast infection, the most common type of yeast infection, and you have had one in the past, then you can take a pH test and self-diagnose at home. Normal vaginal pH is around 4, which is slightly acidic. Follow any instructions accompanying the test.[11]
    • To do the test, hold a piece of pH paper against the wall of your vagina for a few seconds. Compare the color of the paper to the chart provided with the test. The number on the chart for the color that best approximates the color of the paper is your vaginal pH number.
    • If the result is above 4, see your doctor. This is not indicative of a yeast infection, but could be a sign of another infection.
    • If the test result is below 4, it is probably a yeast infection.

Recognizing Symptoms of a Complicated Yeast Infection

  1. Monitor the shape of the rash. If a yeast infection is allowed to grow unchecked, it can develop a ring-like shape that can appear red or have no noticeable discoloration. This can occur in both vaginal and skin infections.[10]
    • This ring can actually cause hair loss, if the affected area is a hairy part of the body (such as a man’s beard, a scalp, or a groin area).
  2. Check to see if your fingernails are affected. Skin infections can spread to your nail beds if left unchecked. If the yeast infection on your skin affects the fingernails, it will begin to appear as a red, swollen and painful area around the fingernail. Eventually, your fingernail and nail may separate, revealing a discolored white or light yellow nail bed.[12]
  3. Determine whether you are a member of a certain risk group. Certain risk groups have an increased likelihood of having more complicated yeast infections, including:[10]
    • People who have had four or more yeast infections in a year
    • Pregnant women
    • People with uncontrolled diabetes
    • People with weakened immunity systems (due to medications or conditions such as HIV)
  4. Note that non-Candida albicans infections are considered complicated. Typically, most yeast infections result from the candida fungus Candida albicans. However, sometimes a different candida fungus may be responsible for the infection. This complicates the situation since most over-the-counter and prescribed treatments are designed to treat Candida albicans infections. As a result, non-Candida albicans infections generally require more aggressive treatments.[9]
    • Note that the only way to diagnose a different type of candida fungus is for your doctor to take a sample (a swab) and test it in order to identify the non-candida organism.[13]

Knowing the Risk Factors

  1. Know that antibiotic treatments can lead to a yeast infection. Prolonged periods of antibiotic treatment not only kill the bacterial pathogen inside the body but can also kill the “good bacteria” in the body. This may cause an imbalance in the flora of the mouth, skin, and the vagina, which may cause the overgrowth of yeast.[14]
    • If you have been taking antibiotics recently and are experiencing burning and itching sensations, you might have a yeast infection.
  2. Understand that pregnant women have a higher risk of getting a yeast infection. Pregnancy increases the sugar in vaginal secretions (brought about by estrogen and progesterone) which the yeast can thrive in. When yeast thrive, it causes an imbalance of the normal vaginal flora, which in turn causes a yeast infection.[15][16]
  3. Reduce your risk with some lifestyle changes. Illness, obesity, poor sleeping habits, and stress can increase the likelihood of developing a yeast infection.[17]
    • Obesity in particular is a potential risk factor since obese people have larger skin folds which are warmer and more moist than average-sized skin folds. These large skin folds make an ideal condition for yeast to thrive.
    • Obesity is also linked to the development of diabetes, which makes women doubly as likely to develop a yeast infection.
  4. Note that birth control is a risk factor. Birth control pills and one-time "morning after" pills cause a change in hormone - mainly estrogen - levels, which in turn can bring about a yeast infection.[2]
    • The higher the dosage of estrogen in the contraceptive, the increased likelihood of yeast growth.[18]
  5. Understand that your cycle can affect the likelihood of yeast infections. A woman is most likely to develop a yeast infection around the time of her period. During menstruation, estrogen deposits glycogen (a type of sugar present inside cells) in the lining of the vagina. When progesterone surges, the cells shed in the vagina making sugar available for the yeast to multiply and grow.
  6. Note excess douching can cause a vaginal yeast infection. Douches are mostly used to clean the vagina after a period, but this practice is generally unnecessary and can even be harmful. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, douching when done regularly can change the balance of the vaginal flora and the acidity of the vagina, thus disturbing the balance of good and bad bacteria. The level of bacteria helps maintain the acidic environment and its destruction can cause the overgrowth of the bad bacteria, which in turn causes yeast infections.[19][20]
  7. Be aware that existing medical conditions can be risk factors for yeast infections. Certain diseases or conditions correlate with yeast infections.
    • For example, having a suppressed immune system, due to HIV or a recent organ transplant, can cause yeast infections.[21]
    • Thyroid or endocrine disorders as well as uncontrolled diabetes also create an environment in your body that favors candidal growth.[22]

Tips

  • To prevent yeast infections from developing, try to keep the folds of your skin as dry as possible.

Warnings

  • It is important to remember that the first time a woman experiences a vaginal yeast infection, she should be diagnosed by a qualified healthcare professional. There are a number of different types of vaginal infections that are often mistaken for one another and they do not receive the same treatment. After an initial diagnosis, subsequent yeast infections (as long as they are not complicated or severe) can be treated at home.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/yeastinfections.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.asccp.org/Portals/9/docs/pdfs/Patient_Education/Yeast_Infection.pdf
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001511.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/diapering-a-baby-13/expert-answers
  5. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/basics/treatment/con-20035129
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/candidiasis
  7. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/thrush/symptoms.html
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://www.emedicinehealth.com/vaginal_infections/page4_em.htm#when_to_seek_medical_care_for_vaginal_infection
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://www.emedicinehealth.com/vaginal_infections/page7_em.htm
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/basics/symptoms/con-20035129
  11. ↑ http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/InVitroDiagnostics/HomeUseTests/ucm126074.htm
  12. ↑ http://www.hellolife.net/yeast-fungal-infections/b/candida-yeast-infection-effects-on-a-person-with-diabetes/
  13. ↑ http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779879
  14. ↑ https://msu.edu/~eisthen/yeast/causes.html
  15. ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/yeastinfectionpreg.html
  16. ↑ Aguin TJ, Sobel JD.Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy.Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015 Jun;17(6):462.
  17. ↑ http://youngwomenshealth.org/2013/06/19/yeast-infection/
  18. ↑ Aguin TJ, Sobel JD.Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy.Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015 Jun;17(6):462
  19. ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/vaginal_douche_douching/article.htm
  20. ↑ Shubair M, Stanek R, White S, Larsen B.Effects of chlorhexidine gluconate douche on normal vaginal flora.Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1992;34(4):229-33.
  21. ↑ Fidel PL Jr, Barousse M, Lounev V, Espinosa T, Chesson RR, Dunlap K. Local immune responsiveness following intravaginal challenge with Candida antigen in adult women at different stages of the menstrual cycle. Med Mycol. 2003 Apr;41(2):97-109.
  22. ↑ Sakakura K, Iwata Y, Hayashi S. tudy on the usefulness of povidone-iodine obstetric cream with special reference to the effect on the thyroid functions of mothers and the newborn.Postgrad Med J. 1993;69 Suppl 3:S49-57.

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