Different types of bacteria and fungi live on your skin, and most of them aren’t harmful in any way. In fact, your body needs them to function the way that it does day-in and day-out. With that said, there are times in which they begin to grow uncontrollably. Cutaneous candidiasis is one of those times.
The Candida fungus is one of those fungi that can be potentially harmful in excess. When there’s a surplus of the candida fungus on your skin, it can cause an infection. This type of infection is known as cutaneous candidiasis.
The primary symptom of cutaneous candidiasis is a rash. The rash is often red, itchy, and can even cause the skin to become dry, cracked, and sore. Sometimes, blisters may occur. While the infection can happen anywhere around the body, the most common area to see cutaneous candidiasis is in folds of skin. For example, armpits, the groin, between the fingers, and underneath breasts.
What causes cutaneous candidiasis is an excess amount of candida on the skin. While a smaller amount of candida can, and does, live on the skin, it becomes a problem when it begins to grow uncontrollably. This can be caused by any of the following:
- Warmer weather
- Tighter clothing
- Hygiene issues
- Not changing underwear often enough
- Obesity
- Using antibiotics that kill the bacteria that minimizes candida
- A weakened immune system (pregnancy, diabetes, etc)
- Not drying skin well enough
Luckily, treating cutaneous candidiasis is not difficult. Most of the time, you don’t even need to purchase any special creams or medicines. The most common cure for cutaneous candidiasis is keeping yourself clean and dry. If that doesn’t work, you may need to see a doctor to determine the best course of action to treat your cutaneous candidiasis.
