Candida ... or not ? Opinions please

[Junep]

A couple of months back I started to experience terrible itching ' downstairs ' so to speak in both areas , I've had candida in the past , or presumed I had as I was told by a nutritionist , not tested but eventually it cleared , think I took Citricidal , but it was so long ago I honestly can't really remember . Well now I'm fairly sure it's back again , so I trotted off to GP and was duly tested for both thrush and candida , but both tests came back negative . I had been taking something called Candaway , which I'm sure has helped , but if tests came back negative , is it candida ? I actually put it to the test last night and broke my no sugar diet , sure enough during the night , itching was back with a vengeance , so to me it's certainly behaving like candida ?

Anyone's input would be gratefully received !

[puncturedbicycle]

Fungus is just one cause of itching. After being treated for candida for about five years I was diagnosed first with psoriasis and then years later with lichen planus. If you continue to have discomfort ask for a gynae referral.

[Hidden]

Hi Junep. This is what I know about candida. We have some in our bodies normally but when overgrowth occurs we become symptomatic (not fun). Years ago we were treated right away with meds but now I believe diet can be very effective. It might be interesting to google candida diet. Even when tests (for many things) come back negative I trust my symptoms more. You were smart to test your diet and do your own research. If you are having symptoms, that is proof that candida is out of control. I have also read that candida can be in lots of foods we don't suspect. This comes to mind as a common example and has led me to make appropriate changes. Often (at least here in the US) when we go to restaurants our water is served with a slice of lemon. The article I got this info from suggested we order our water without the lemon as the lemons are frequently contaminated with candida. Trying not to be gross think about this chain of events: The person who cuts the fruit uses the restroom, doesn't wash her hands or washes them ineffectively (a little water running over fingertips for a few seconds is not handwashing) then goes back to work handling and preparing food. The lemons then sit out in the air waiting for the next glass of water. Could apply to many uncooked pre-prepared garnishes-in bars, etc. I now ask for nothing in my drink or water and am careful about raw garnishes on food plates. Sounds picky but it's a contaminated world out there. I worked in an operating room for years where a lot of handwashing went on. I am amazed at how many people I see washing their hands ineffectively in public restrooms. Probably more than anyone wanted to know about handwashing!LOL

[Junep in reply to Hidden]

Hi Irina ,

Those are things I've never even given a thought to, but obviously could be factors as I always drink water and always with lemon ! Thanks for that info !

[Hidden in reply to Junep]

Your very welcome. Lemon water can be very healthy and refreshing. But cut your own lemons and drink what you pour. My personal guess is some marketing genius started the 'lemon in water' to help water taste better-or at least less yucky. Many of our big cities have terrible tasting water. Atlanta water is awful. I sometimes use some to cook with as it is not contaminated but for drinking I use a filter pitcher in my fridge.

[overnighthearingloss]

I think you should look at your carb intake if you think you might have Candida overgrowth. Carbs break down into sugars in the body. Increase your fresh vegetable intake. Eat garlic.

If you drink fruit juice this also breaks down in the body into sugars that feed Candida. It's safer to actually eat fruit as the fibre in it helps to break the sugar rush.

So effectively you will be looking at levels of processed foods and baked goods in your diet, and trying to substitute.

[Junep in reply to overnighthearingloss]

Hi,

Yes I've cut back on al sugar/ carb stuff and am getting there slowly , but I'm struggling as I know this is probably going to be a long job !

[Hidden in reply to overnighthearingloss]

I agree. And daily fresh raw garlic- even just one cut up clove added to anything (salad, chick/tuna/egg salad) is a very anti-inflammatory food.

[Rmichelle]

Did they just test for thrush? What about BV? You dont have to have odour like many gps think-the best place to get tested is not gps-visit your local GU clinic -these guys are the best as they deal with sexual health and not just std's and if you dont mind waiting you get all the testing done there-they ask very personal questions but they find out what is going on down there!! Good luck.xx

[Junep in reply to Rmichelle]

Yes they tested for thrush all negative not BV though

[Junep]

Hi RFU ,

Well that's a new one on me ! I thought I'd read of all the things you could take but never Boron !

I can remember buying it years ago but can't for the life of me remember what for !

It's certainly worth a try though, also told to try Oregano ?

[Rmichelle]

If i were you i would go to the people who know as they will sort it.😊😊