What causes yeast on skin?

Ah, yeast. The magical ingredient that makes bread and beer so delicious. Unfortunately, we’re not talking about the kind of yeast you want in your food or drinks today. We’re talking about the kind that can cause itchy rashes and discomfort all over your skin.

But fear not! In this article, we’ll dive into all things yeast and explore what causes it to grow on our precious epidermis.

Introducing Malassezia

Malassezia may sound like a fancy Italian dish, but it’s actually a type of fungus that lives on everyone’s skin. Yes, even yours! As long as it stays in balance with other microorganisms living happily alongside it, no harm is done.

But if something upsets the balance- say excessive sweating or an immune system imbalance- Malassezia might multiply too quickly which leads to eruptions known as fungal infections or dermatitis caused by Malassezia (Pityrosporum folliculitis).

Overgrowth triggers

Let’s get onto some potential triggers:

Hormonal Fluctuations

As women know (or will soon find out), hormones love to mess with us from month-to-month/ ovulatory cycles which affects the flora & fauna on their skin,eg Candida,Yeast infections etc; estrogen surges during pregnancy can also create disruption!

Diet

What you eat affects every aspect of your body including immunity levels.Therefore diets high in sugar encourage feeding Candida (yeast). Conversely people consuming foods rich probiotics – fermented vegetables eg konbu,kimchi,miso,natto are less likely to experience candidiasis/ malazzesia outbreaks because friendly bacteria keeps them at bay

Immune System disorders

There are certain diseases such as diabetes/some autoimmune conditions/hiv+ve where they impair immune function making patients more susceptible.Medications treatments for these conditions can also lower immunity which encourages yeast overgrowth.

Antibiotics & Steroids

Non-discriminately,such medications kill many bacteria in body,including ones that keep fungal infections at bay. Hence indirectly encouraging Malassezia proliferation

Physical Damage to Skin

Disruption or injury to skin barriers or anything giving heat/moisture/ergo sweaty folds under limbs or breasts give the perfect breeding grounds for malasessia fungi!

Signs of Yeast on Your Skin

How do you know if you have a yeast infection on your skin? Some signs include:

  • Itchy patches of skin
  • Redness and inflammation (often noted around sweat glands)
  • Scaling and flaking
  • Warmth/rash /small pimples inside hair follicles(backne/pityrosporum folliculitis)
  • Bad Smell -fungal disease emit strong,musty odor.Worth noting is–that there may be too much yeasty smell eg baking bread but it should be light not humid,foul smelling.smelling like sourdough that’s been left out in the sun all day =/= good
    If you find yourself experiencing any combination of these symptoms, reaching out to a dermatologist wouldn’t hurt. They prescribe antifungal creams,topical Sulphur-containing ingredients may help clear up some mild cases as they target fungi!

Treating Skin Yeast Infections & Preventing their Recurrence

Once diagnosed with Malassezia overgrowth syndrome,prescription medication will also go towards restoring balance for their patient through oral pills/creams targeting fungus.

However prevention is always better than cure! here are some self care steps by individuals interested in avoiding/treating malasezzia: –

  1. Maintain hygiene i.e properly washing,e.g after sports activities during period cycle.
  2. Avoid tight-fitting clothes made from synthetic fabrics–nature loves the free flow of air!.
  3. Adjust your lifestyle in areas where possible, reducing stress levels through exercise,and meditation(Stress blunts immunity and makes host more susceptible to malasessia).
  4. Opt for a diet high in anti-oxidants,eg Fresh green leafy vegetables/berries ;Vitamin B-rich foods are moderately helpful as they help support the immune system
  5. Get fresh air , Sunlight – UVA/B helps slow down impending colonies of fungal activity

Conclusion

While yeast infections on our skin can be uncomfortable, dealing with them doesn’t have to be hard or stressful(if addressed early).

Whether it’s maintaining hygiene practices or keeping an eye out for hormonal fluctuations that might trigger overgrowth ,please don’t hesitate to reach out to trained medical personnel who can guide you through potential treatment options.

And remember friends: yeast belongs in bread and beer not our skin!

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