A natural organism found in both the gastrointestinal tract and vagina of a woman is the yeast Candida. Even though it is a normal inhabitant of the vagina, the Candida yeast can overgrow and develop into a Candida yeast infection. There are several signs and symptoms that indicate the presence of an overgrowth of Candida yeast and a Candida yeast infection.
The first symptoms is usually itching. This itching can occur on the vulva or area around the vagina as well as inside the vagina. This itching often extends to the skin around the anus. Burning is another symptom of a Candida yeast infection. As the skin becomes irritated it thins and becomes red as more blood vessels are near the surface. When urine and other substances come in contact with this itching, thin, red skin a burning sensation occurs.
Increased white blood cells that migrate to the area to fight the increase in the Candida yeast organisms cause a think, white vaginal discharge. A predominant symptom of Candida yeast infections is a think, cottage cheese like discharge from the vagina. This discharge will often leak out of the vagina on to the irritated skin of the vulva causing even more irritation. A musty or yeast like odor accompanies the vaginal discharge and is another symptom of a Candida yeast infection.
In order to soothe these symptoms of a Candida yeast infection many women will sit in a warm tub of bath water. The heat further increases the blood flow to the area increasing the redness and also increasing the numbers of white blood cells available. Increasing white blood cells causes more vaginal discharge. The white blood cells release histamines which increases the itching. This cycle will continue to escalate the itching, redness, burning, discharge cycle until the proper treatment is applied.
Overgrowth of the common vaginal organism Candida yeast can cause itching, redness, burning of the vulvar skin and a musty vaginal odor with a cottage cheese like discharge in women. These symptoms separately or especially if they occur together are indicative of a Candida yeast infection in women.
Tags: treatment, vaginal discharge, yeast infection, yeast infection symptoms, yeast infections