Yeast Infection - The Warning Signs

It is often difficult to figure out when something is wrong enough to seek some kind of treatment. It is no different with yeast infections. A little redness here, a little itch there. When are you experiencing something just a little out of the ordinary, and when are you up against the actual signs of yeast infection?

Itchiness is probably the most common of the signs of yeast infection. Usually though, there are others. When women have vaginal yeast infections, they may feel pain during urination. They may experience painful sex. They will probably notice swelling of the vagina and the area surrounding it, and may feel burning and redness besides. There is a vaginal discharge that is one of the signs of yeast infection if women. It is thick and white. Some have said that it has the appearance of cottage cheese.

If a woman is having these signs of yeast infection, she should call her doctor. Symptoms of some STD's are similar. Chlamydia and gonorrhea both fall into this category. If she has yeast infections often, then and only then she should talk to her doctor about using over-the-counter medications.

A doctor can recognize signs of yeast infection that the woman herself cannot. He or she will look for swelling and discharge. A sample will also be taken to check under a microscope in a lab test that will determine once and for all if it is a yeast infection.

The signs of yeast infection in men are pretty straightforward. They will simply have a bit of redness, itching, and a sense of burning at the tip of their penis. They should also go to a doctor to rule out other causes.

In children, the signs of yeast infection are more difficult to ascertain. What may appear to be a simple diaper rash may well turn out to be a yeast infection. It can be distinguished from the usual diaper rash by looking at the rash itself. Are there many red, maybe pus-filled bumps? Is there a scaling pattern? It may be yeast infection. The rash may also be located in an unusual place, like the pubic area, the groin area, and the lower abdomen. Most important of all, if a diaper rash doesn't clear up in a few days, a child should be taken to see a doctor.

The signs of yeast infection seem to be easy to spot. However, they can be confused with symptoms of other diseases. When in doubt, call in the experts.