Definitely a quote that I find myself saying, at least twice a week, is one by the philosopher Aristotle: “The excess of a virtue is a vice.” And boy, when it comes to yeast, that statement couldn’t be more true. I say that because yeast isn’t the devil to our systems. The reality is, so long as it’s kept under control, yeast is a fungus that is beneficial in the sense that it helps to fight off certain intestinal diseases and it even plays a bit of a role in the detoxification process of our bodies.
The problem comes in when there is too much yeast in us — when that happens, we end up with what is known as a yeast infection and usually, whenever people think of this, a vaginal yeast infection is what comes to mind.
I recently read that over 138 million women deal with, not just yeast infections, but recurring ones. And that got me to thinking about the fact that, again, although vaginal yeast infections may be the most popular, there are several others that everyone should know about as well. Because just like an overgrowth of yeast in your genital region can wreak havoc, it can do the same thing…elsewhere.
Today, let me do you a solid by sharing nine other places where yeast overgrowth can become a potential issue, along with what to do if that ever transpires. Because if you’ve ever had a vaginal yeast infection before, you already know what an “ounce of prevention” can do for/about it. Goodness.
1. Scalp
Let’s start with the top of your head, your scalp — because, like it or not, there is plenty of fungus that is up on there. Candida is one and the other is Malassezia; it’s considered to be the culprit of dandruff. So, how do you know when it’s dandruff (check out “Stop Scratching: The Differences Between Dandruff And Dry Scalp”) vs. a yeast infection? Great question. Remember how yeast infections like to thrive in moist areas? Okay, so some symptoms of a scalp yeast infection (whose technical name is tinea capitis) would include soft and moist white areas, green or yellow patches, possible bumps that resemble pimples, and, of course, itching and irritation.
Now, although it’s usually Candida that leads to a scalp yeast infection, the reality is that Malassezia can be the issue too. That’s why, in order to get the proper treatment for a scalp yeast infection, your doctor would need to check to see if Candida or Malassezia is the cause of your drama so, no, please don’t just slap some Monistat on your scalp and call it a day. Once an official diagnosis has been given, usually what will happen is you will be either prescribed an oral medication like Diflucan or an antifungal shampoo for Candida (or a selenium or zinc shampoo for Malassezia). If the inflammation is really off of the charts, a corticosteroid shampoo may also be an option.
2. Mouth
Another name for oral yeast infection is thrush and although it’s most common in toddlers and children, you can also be susceptible to if it you take antibiotics or steroids, if you’re on birth control, if you are going through cancer treatments, if you wear dentures, if your immune system is compromised or if you’re 65 or over. Symptoms of thrush include a “cotton-like” feeling in your mouth, redness and soreness in and around the corners of your mouth, cracking around the corners of your mouth, and a loss of taste.
For oral thrush, you will typically be prescribed an antifungal medication like miconazole, clotrimazole, or nystatin to apply to your mouth for a couple of weeks. For immediate relief, you might want to try rinsing your mouth out with salt water, eating plain yogurt (consuming some that has a lot of sugar in it is pretty counterproductive since yeast thrives off of yogurt), and rinsing your mouth out with a mixture of distilled water and clove oil.
3. Armpits
If you’ve got a red itchy rash in one or both of your armpits, there’s a good chance that you’ve got a yeast infection happening up in there. Since, again, yeast likes to thrive in moist environments, if you happen to sweat a lot in your armpits or you have folds of skin in that area (more on that in a bit), that can lead to discomfort that includes scaling skin, bumps that may resemble pimples and even a bit of swelling — not to mention a ton of itching (which could be worse at night when you are still).
Over-the-counter antifungal creams can help to get you back on the road to healing. Also, make sure to keep your armpits clean and dry. That said, you may want to invest in a natural drying powder that can help to prevent a yeast infection from recurring in your pits in the future along with a deodorant that contains antifungal ingredients like tea tree oil. It’s important to also take note that being overweight and having diabetes can make you more vulnerable to armpit yeast infections, so make sure to be super intentional about caring for your health.
4. Breasts
Although my fungus sensitivity has given me more vaginal yeast infections than I would ever want in one lifetime (it’s been under 10 but still…I loathe those things), BY FAR, the worst that I’ve experienced was one that was underneath one of my breasts. Listen, make sure that, especially in the summer season, you lift those bad boys up and look underneath instead of just washing under them and going on about your day.
I know of what I speak because one time, after getting tired of scratching so much underneath my right breast, I flopped it back towards my shoulder (I’m a 38H, so…) and I saw a semi-large dark purple circle that was moist, prickly and hella irritated. Yep, I had a yeast infection underneath my breast because moisture kept getting trapped in between my breast and the lower part of my rib cage.
Although you can use an antifungal cream like Monistat under there to speed up the healing process, depending on how severe the infection is, your doctor may prescribe something like Diflucan too. On the prevention tip, you should probably wear bras that are made out of cotton most of the time, put bra pads underneath your breasts to absorb excess moisture, and moisturize your breasts with coconut oil; it contains antifungal properties so that your breasts can be soft and smooth and yeast-free…naturally.
5. Belly Button
Chile, if this won’t make you want to clean your belly button tonight, I don’t know what will. Did you know that, reportedly, there are over 67 different types of bacteria that are stored up in that thing at any given time? That’s why it’s a good idea, at least a few times a week, to put some mild soap on a damp Q-Tip and gently cleanse it. Make sure that you dry it thoroughly too; otherwise, you could have a yeast infection in your belly button — one that is extremely itchy, could burn, and will probably look a lot like a rash. SMDH.
As far as the cause, although not cleaning your belly button properly and/or often leads the pack, skin conditions like intertrigo and psoriasis, wearing super tight clothing, pregnancy, obesity, and going through a round of antibiotics can all play a direct role. And as far as treatment, an antifungal cream as well as exposing your belly button to as much air as possible so that it can fully heal should help.
6. Butt
Here’s the thing: If you’ve got a yeast infection around your vaginal area and you keep scratching, you can easily spread it to your anus — and lawd, that’s probably the only thing worse than one that’s in your vagina (or around your labia)! Now,for the record, there are other ways that you can get an anal yeast infection including having too much bad bacteria in your intestines, wearing clothes that are too tight or engaging in unprotectedanal sex with someone who already has an infection. And, just to put it on record, not properly wiping or cleaning that area can trigger one as well.
When it comes to healing from an anal yeast infection, it’s similar to how you would treat a vaginal one. Applying an antifungal cream should help and, if it is severe, your doctor may give you an antifungal prescription. As far as the irritation of your skin goes, if you’d prefer to go the natural route, applying some coconut oil or ozonated olive oil can help with the itching. Just remember thatboth of these options are not latex condom-friendly (because they can melt them) and so, until you (and your partner if they apply) are healed from your yeast infection,rubbers definitely need to be used (honestly,they need to be used regardless but…that’s another message for another time).
7. Skin Folds
If you’ve never heard of intertrigo before, it’s what happens when folds of skin start to rub together and cause irritation and then a rash; this can especially be the case if the folds are moist and anywhere there is moisture (on the skin), it is a potential breeding ground for a yeast infection. In this case, this means that it’s somewhat common to have intertrigo and a yeast infection simultaneously. Have mercy. SMDH.
As far as treatment for this type of infection goes, you definitely need to make sure that you thoroughly dry your skin after bathing and that you wear breathable fabrics (like cotton) as much as possible. Some other helpful tips include applying wet tea bags to the rash (the tannins can help to speed up the healing process) and applying an antifungal cream or ointment should you have a yeast infection in the same spot. It’s also a good idea to take note that using an antibacterial soap in those particular spots can help to decrease your chances of experiencing intertrigo, moving forward, too.
8. Feet (Tinea Vericolor)
The technical name for Athlete’s foot is tinea pedis; it’s a type of (contagious) fungus infection. Another foot fungus infection that you should know about is tinea versicolor (I’ve actually had that one before). And why am I bringing both of these up now? It’s because, technically, they both are considered to be “yeast infections of the feet” (you can confirm that here and here); that’s because both things tend to thrive in moist environments and that can end up leaving your feet feeling really itching, irritated and can sometimes with a burning sensation — just like other types of yeast infections.
When it comes to treating Athlete’s foot, depending on its severity, you may need to take an oral medication like fluconazole or itraconazole to get rid of the yeast from the inside out. It’s also a good idea to apply an antifungal foot cream like Lotrimin or Tinactin and you should definitely throw out the socks that you had on while you were dealing with the infection and get ones that are made of a more sweat/moisture-wicking fabric.
As far as home remedies go, applying a blend of tea tree oil and neem oil to your feet can help since they contain powerful antifungal properties. Rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide helps to kill fungus too. Oh, and one article said that Vicks Vapo-Rub may bring some relief due to the menthol and eucalyptus that are in it as well. And what about tinea versicolor? Well, when I got it, the doctor recommended that I wash my feet in a dandruff shampoo (because that helps to kill fungus) for several weeks — and yes, it worked like a charm.
10. Digestive Tract
And finally, Gastrointestinal Candidiasis (which is sometimes called Invasive Candidiasis) Out of all of the types of yeast infections that we’ve discussed, this is definitely the one that you should be the most concerned about. It’s an infection that can affect your stomach as well as your small and large intestines which can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, cramps, white or yellow stool, chills, and/or muscle aches; however, if it hits your bloodstream, it can literally become life-threatening.
So, if you’ve been having any of these symptoms or lately, your vision has been blurry, you’ve got lots of unexplained headaches or even your memory is not what it used to be, make an appointment for your doctor to do some lab work. Also, if you’re wondering what could make you more susceptible to this type of yeast infection — a weakened immunity, steroid use, birth control, estrogen therapy, and a poor diet all top the list.
Anyway, if it’s a yeast infection that’s “only” in your gut, you may be given an on-10 version of a probiotic, be instructed to do something like a candida cleanse (which you can read more about here, here, and here) and also be prescribed with a medication like Nystatin (which is designed to treat intestinal yeast-related issues). If it is more serious than that, you will very likely be admitted to the hospital.
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Yeast infections. They’re typically not the topics that people are rushing to talk about. Still, the more you know about them, the better you’ll be at treating them — should they show up in your vagina or…anywhere else.
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