How to Test for Candida
Candida is a genus of yeast that commonly inhabits the skin. This colonization isn't considered to be an infection unless it produces symptoms. Candida is typically diagnosed from these symptoms since the mere presence of candida isn't necessarily clinically significant. A diagnosis of candidiasis may be confirmed with laboratory tests including culturing and microscopic examination.
Instructions
-
-
1
Observe signs of vaginal candidiasis. A vaginal yeast infection typically produces a white cheesy discharge that itches and irritates the vagina. It may also cause a burning sensation during sexual intercourse or urination.
-
2
Look for symptoms of oral candidiasis. This may include white patches on top of a red base on the palate or tongue. This base usually bleeds when the white plaques are removed with a blade. Some cases of oral candidiasis don't produce any white plaques, so that the tongue merely has red circular areas.
-
-
3
Examine the skin for candidiasis. This usually appears in the diaper as a flat red rash with well-defined edges. You will typically see smaller patches next to the primary rash. Candidiasis of the skin can be considerably more serious in patients with compromised immune systems. In these cases, the infection can spread to internal organs.
-
4
Examine a culture of skin cells for candida to make an initial diagnosis. Rub a sterile swab on the surface of the infected skin and streak the swab on a culture medium. Incubate the culture for several days at 37 degrees Celsius to grow colonies of any bacteria or yeast present in the culture. Examine these colonies for color and morphology common to candida.
-
5
Diagnose candidiasis microscopically. Take a scraping or swab of affected area and place it on a microscope slide. Add a drop of a ten percent solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to the specimen and wait for the KOH to dissolve the skin cells. Examine the specimen with a microscope so you can look for the budding yeast cells common to many Candida species.
-
1
