Causes of Skin Candidiasis
Candida albicans is the most common species of yeast that lives on the skin. It tends to infect the folds of the skin, especially if there are any breaks or cuts. In cases where body movement or clothing may cause chaffing of these skin folds (intertrigo), the yeast will quickly infect the skin. The most common areas are under the breast (submammary candidiasis), armpit, scrotum, vulva and anus. In an obese person, a skin yeast infection may occur between the ‘fat folds’.
Skin yeast infections are not isolated to these areas and another common yeast skin infection is that on the face which is known as tinea versicolor. This condition is caused by the skin fungus known as Pityriasis versicolor. Despite the fact that the face is exposed, an yeast infection is still possible especially if there is damage to the skin of the face – as in contact dermatitis often caused by chlorine in swimming pool water or oily skin with acne.
Another common site for an yeast infection is the fingernail, especially in women who use false acrylic nails for long periods of time. This condition is known as candidal paronychia.
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