Diabetes and Yeast Infections - 5 Things Every Diabetic Should Know

As a result of high blood sugar levels and immune system dysfunction, diabetics are prone to more frequent and more serious infections than non-diabetic persons. Among these infections, yeast ranks among the most common and in fact sometimes leads to the diagnosis of diabetes.

Is this dangerous? Is there anything a person can do about the situation?

Here are 5 things every diabetic should know about yeast infections:

1. Vaginal yeast infections - don't skip this one men - there are some things here you need to know, too.

Yeast thrive in a warm, moist environment, especially when there's plenty of food, i.e. excess sugar. There are always a few yeast in the neighborhood, but other "good" germs normally crowd them out. In diabetes, the yeast may grow in abundance and become like crabgrass: once it takes hold, it's hard to eliminate. If you have never been diagnosed with diabetes but have been getting more than your share of yeast infections, or have had trouble being cured of a yeast infection, consult your doctor - you may be diabetic.

Usually yeast is not a sexually transmitted disease, but in a diabetic it can be, especially if both partners are diabetic. Other STDs may be more easily transmitted as well if fragile tissues are already irritated from a yeast infection. Women who are suffering from vaginal itching and burning are also less likely to be interested in intercourse. Because the symptoms of yeast infections, urine infections, and STDs overlap women sometimes mistake one for the other.

If you are diabetic and suffering from prolonged or recurrent yeast infections you should talk to your doctor. You may need to control your blood sugars more effectively. You may need a prolonged course of anti-yeast medication. You may need a combination of oral and topical medications. You may need to be checked for another type of infection that mimics yeast.

2. Thrush (oral yeast infection). Yeast infection in the mouth is common in diabetics who don't have their blood sugars well controlled, especially in patients with dentures. Thrush has a variety of presentations. Often it appears as white spots that coat the inside of the cheeks or the tongue. Sometimes the mouth looks raw or irritated. Other people complain of a change in taste or sore feeling even though the tissues appear normal. Oral thrush indicates a need for better sugar control, better oral hygiene, or both. It may require oral medication, topical medication, or both, and may occur at the same time as a yeast infection elsewhere in the body.

3. Intertrigo (yeast infections in warm skin folds). Intertrigo is especially common in men and women who have folds of overlapping skin that remain moist. Common areas include the axilla (armpit), groin, under the breast, and under the belly. Intertrigo appears as a red or pink rash, usually flat (not bumpy), that is often moist, and may have an unpleasant odor or itching. Again the cure lies in controlling blood sugars, keeping the area dry, and medication. Topical creams such as Lotrimin or Lamisil are effective. If itching is prominent, OTC hydrocortisone may be added. Wearing a cotton T-shirt or underwear helps keep the area dry.

4. Antibiotic-related yeast infections. Diabetics who take antibiotics for respiratory or other infections are at high risk of developing any of the above conditions. The antibiotics kill off many normal germs (normal flora), and allow yeast to take hold. A yeast infection may show up while a patient is taking the antibiotic or up to a few weeks later. Those who take daily antibiotics for conditions such as acne or rosacea are especially at risk. The key to prevention is minimizing antibiotic exposure. Don't request an antibiotic for a cold you've only had a few days. If you must continue an antibiotic for some reason, you may need to take a prolonged course of anti-yeast medication as well. One approach for diabetics who tend to get yeast infections is to begin a yeast medication prophylactically as soon as an antibiotic is begun. Ask your doctor what the best plan is for you.

5. Steroid-related yeast infections. It's not uncommon for a diabetic patient to suffer a separate condition (such as arthritis or asthma) for which steroid medications are prescribed. Steroids alone predispose to yeast infections, but doubly so in a diabetic, since they may raise blood sugar levels. Steroid pills, IVs, injections, and inhalers all predispose to yeast infections. If you use a steroid inhaler, make sure you follow the directions about rinsing your mouth afterward. If you receive an injection in your knee for arthritis, be aware that elevated blood sugar readings and thrush may follow. For persons taking steroids on a prolonged basis, daily yeast medication may be required.

It's rare that a yeast infection would be more serious than the situations described above. If you're diabetic and having trouble with recurrent or prolonged infections, ask your doctor if there are any special measures you should take. If your blood sugar isn't controlled, develop a plan with your physician to take control of the situation.
Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, MD


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Permission is hereby granted to publish this copyrighted article elsewhere on the web or in print media, in whole or in part, with the stipulation that Dr. Koelker be properly credited as author, and that the material be unaltered with regard to content.
Cynthia J. Koelker, MD is a family physician of over twenty years, and holds degrees from MIT, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the University of Akron. She is the author of "101 Ways to Save Money on Healthcare."

Vaginal and Male Yeast Infections-Why Antifungal Herbs Might Make Things Worse

If you now suffer from a vaginal yeast infection or a male yeast infection, you've probably searched the Web for a mild, natural cure. And you've probably landed on web pages that suggest a variety of antifungal herbs, such as oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, black walnut, etc.

If so, you found web pages written by people who believe in a syndrome that the medical community does not acknowledge or accept as scientifically valid - called "systemic yeast infections," "systemic candidiasis," or "Candida overgrowth."

The folks who believe in this syndrome have a long list of symptoms that are supposed to be caused by having too much yeast in your gut. Genital yeast infections are included on the list, but there are over 30 other vague symptoms, too - including such things as fatigue, insomnia, digestive problems, and infertility.
In fact, if you feel less than perfect, these folks will blame it on Candida.

It seems natural, then, to assume that the remedies recommended for this general, systemic type of yeast infection will also work for your vaginal yeast infection or male yeast infections. However, there is no proof that this is true, and there are good reasons to believe that the antifungal herbs can actually make things worse for you.

You could even find yourself with chronic yeast infections, instead of the one irritating rash you've got now.
Why? Because the most common cause of yeast infections is the use of antibiotics. And the herbs listed above are mild antibiotics. They may kill off some of the yeast in your intestinal tract (which is not the yeast that's actually making you itch), but at the same time your beneficial bacteria population will also be damaged.
For this reason, the systemic yeast infection crowd always suggests that you start eating yoghurt or taking probiotic supplements - exactly the same recommendation you would get from your doctor to lower your risk of getting a yeast infection when you need to take antibiotics.

In other words, if the herbs have the killing power that's claimed for them, using the herbs will damage the bacterial population that is your body's first line of defense against yeast infections.

It would be in your best interest to skip the herbs altogether, and eat the yogurt. Some people with genital yeast infections also put the yogurt directly on the infected area, to get the beneficial bacteria right where they're needed. There have been no studies that prove that this works, but thousands of people swear by it, and it certainly can't hurt.

The "systemic yeast infection" web pages also recommend fairly complicated Candida diets, and there is one aspect of these diets that you should follow - if you're suffering from a vaginal or male yeast infection you should stop eating sugar and white flour, at least until the symptoms and rash are gone.
 Sugar has mild antibiotic properties and yeast loves it. It won't hurt you to give it up for a week or so.

If you want a natural, soothing yeast infection remedy, apply a mild vinegar solution to the affected area. One safe way to do this is to put a cup or more of apple cider vinegar in hot bath water, and then get in for a nice relaxing soak. Or you can sponge your genital area with a vinegar solution, if a relaxing bath doesn't appeal to you for some reason.

Ladies, do not use a vinegar douche if you have the symptoms of a yeast infection - if you've guessed wrong and actually have a bacterial infection instead, you could cause permanent damage to your reproductive organs.

(Yeast and other fungi really don't like vinegar, so if you ever have athletes' foot or nail fungus, remember this remedy and give your tired feet a good soak in a tub of warm vinegar solution. It may smell funny, but the fungus will almost always disappear without resorting to more expensive and invasive medications from the drug store.)

So stay away from antifungal/antibiotic herbs if you have a vaginal or male yeast infection, stop eating sugar and white flour at least until the symptoms are gone, and try soaking your rash in a nice warm vinegar bath.
If these mild and safe home remedies don't work in a few days, it's time to get yourself to a doctor. No home remedy is guaranteed to cure every yeast infection.

And it's important to remember that a self-diagnosis is not always right - your home remedy might not be working because you don't have a yeast infection. If you itch for some other reason, you need to know what really is causing your symptoms so your doctor can help you get rid of it before it does any lasting damage.

Jonni Good is the author of the definitive guide to vaginal and male yeast infections, which includes an extensive discussion about safe natural remedies, and which also shows you how to easily avoid getting another yeast infection in the future. You can read about her new book online at http://www.YourYeastInfection.com