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Step 1
Document your symptoms. Many times, symptoms show up with no apparent cause. Being able to track them and maybe link them will help the physician adequately diagnose the problem.
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Step 2
Note any episodes of itching with no outward signs of a rash or other skin ailment. Rectal and vaginal itching are common with candida, and can be treated fairly easily. Most of the hot spots are where the skin is in contact with itself for long periods, such as behind the knees, the bend of the elbow, armpits or under the breasts in women.
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Step 3
Realize that many of the effects of candida are internal. An overgrowth of candida in the system can cause hormone imbalances, which in turn causes depression, chronic fatigue and a host of other diseases.
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Step 4
Know that because the candida albicans fungus naturally occurs in the digestive tract, bouts of diarrhea, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome can crop up. An overgrowth of candida can cause thrush in the mouth as well as wreak havoc along the entire digestive system. Symptoms include heartburn, stomach upset, diarrhea, rectal itching and lesions.
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Step 5
Document all signs and symptoms that occur to see if there are any that occur together. Rule out food allergies, if you can. When showing these journal entries to your physician, explain how they effect you, as well as any triggers that you have noticed and how long each symptom tends to last. If you don't feel comfortable with the diagnosis, seek a second opinion.
