What’s the Link Between Diabetes and Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections are caused by a fungal group called Candida. The infection commonly affects warm and moist areas of the body like the skin of the mouth, vagina, and penis. It can rarely infect internal organs and spread in the blood stream.

Diabetes and Yeast Infections

The fungus causing yeast infection is a normal part of the diverse world of microorganisms inhabiting our bodies. This fungus does not cause an infection unless it overgrows. This is what may happen in people with uncontrolled blood sugar where yeast uses up that extra sugar to outgrow surrounding microorganisms, leading to the development of an infection.

Other causes of yeast infections include antibiotic use and having a weakened immune system, which can be found in some individuals with diabetes.

How Common are Yeast Infections in Diabetes?

Yeast infections are twice as common among people with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) compared to the general population. This is more so among those with uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Some diabetes medications such as Invokana (canagliflozin), Jardiance (empagliflozin), Farxiga (dapagliflozin), and Steglaro (ertugliflozin) are associated with higher risk of yeast infections affecting the groin. This is because these medications lower blood sugar by having kidneys dump sugar in urine, therefore giving yeast a source of energy to grow.

What are the Symptoms of Yeast Infections?

Symptoms depend on the infection location:

• Skin folds: itching, rash, and skin breakdown

• Vagina: itching, burning, and whitish/yellowish vaginal discharge

• Penis: redness, itching, and swelling at the tip of the penis. Whitish discharge around the foreskin. Pain with urination

• Mouth: bitter taste, sore mouth or throat. White patches on the tongue and back of the mouth. Painful cracks at the corners of the mouth

• Nails: change in nail shape and color

How is a Yeast Infection Diagnosed?

Seek the advice of a health care professional if you think that you have yeast infection. The diagnosis is established based on medical history and a physical exam. It can be confirmed by swabbing the affected area and looking at it under the microscope to visualize the yeast.

How to Prevent Yeast Infections

Having good blood sugar control can lower the risk of yeast infections among individuals with diabetes. Other factors that may reduce the risk of yeast infections include:

• good hygiene

• wearing loose clothing

• wearing underpants that allow moisture to escape, like those made of cotton

• allowing skin folds—like the groin and space between toes—to dry properly after bathing

• avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use

If you are taking one of the diabetes medications mentioned above that increase sugar in urine, the risk of yeast infection may be reduced by drinking plenty of water and having good personal hygiene.

How is a Yeast Infection Treated?

Antifungal medication comes in several forms, including powder, cream, ointment, pill, oral solution, and suppositories. The best method of treating a yeast infection is determined by a health care professional and depends on the infection location and its extent.