Food Allergies, Yeast Infections and the Immune
System
Does it appear that these three medical issues have
nothing in common? We know what all three of these conditions
are, but how can they have anything in common? In fact,
medical research indicates that they do share common elements;
both food allergies and yeast infections are connected to your
immune system.
Normally, your immune system serves as your body's
defense system against foreign, harmful substances called antigens. Most of the
time your immune system quietly and efficiently does its job
without notice. However, in some people, the immune system
overreacts to different kinds of antigens, called allergens. The result
of this overreaction is an allergic reaction. You
may be allergic to only one substance, like peanuts, or you
may be allergic to many substances like grass, pollen and
ragweed. Treating allergies is uncomplicated, once your
physician has determined the substance that is causing your
allergic reaction. Medications like antihistamines and the
prescription drug Cromolyn that is used with an inhaler are
frequently prescribed for allergies. If these two medications
do not improve your allergic reaction, your physician can
prescribe a corticosteroid like prednisone via a nasal spray
or tablets. Corticosteroids have many unpleasant side effects,
some of which can be serious; they are used as a last resort
in treating allergies.
Allergic reactions to specific foods and groups foods
such as peanuts, fish, milk, shellfish, wheat, soybeans and
eggs range from mild to life threatening. Mild symptoms
include itching of the mouth, hives, eczema and a runny nose.
Severe, potentially fatal symptoms include a rash all over the
body, and swelling of the throat and airways that makes
breathing very difficult; this is called an anaphylactic reaction
that requires immediate treatment with strong doses of
antihistamines to prevent death by asphyxiation.
A yeast infection of the mouth, vagina, skin, eyes and
internal organs is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus candida albicans. This
fungus is usually harmless, residing in the intestines, mouth
and vagina - all warm, moist environments. However, some
medications and medical conditions can cause excessive growth
of candida,
resulting in a yeast infection, also called Candidiasis. The
infection is treated with antifungal medications. Candidiasis is
considered an "infection of opportunity" in that it attacks
the body when the immune system is weakened by conditions like
cancer, AIDS, diabetes, lupus, and fibromyalgia.
One of the medications that can result
in a candida
overgrowth is corticosteroids. If you are using this
medication to control serious food allergies, you are at risk
for developing Candidiasis in or on
various points of your body. Here, then, is the connection
between yeast infections and food allergies; both involve
changes in your immune system. In food allergies, your immune
system goes into "overdrive" when you eat specific foods,
causing an allergic reaction. At the other extreme, Candidiasis attacks
your body when your immune system is weakened by a medical
condition or by using certain medications like corticosteroids
and antibiotics. There is no direct causal link here; food
allergies do not cause yeast infections and vice versa.
However, both conditions involve your immune system in some
way. If you must use corticosteroids to control a severe food
allergy, you are more inclined to develop Candidiasis.
Physicians call this an iatrogenic condition,
meaning that your yeast infection is caused by medical
treatment for another syndrome or illness. Thus, a yeast
infection that is caused by medication that treats your food
allergy is an iatrogenic condition. If you are taking
corticosteroids and have a history of developing iatrogenic
yeast infections, your physician can prescribe an antifungal
medication for you to take along with the steroid. Steroids
should only be used short-term due to troublesome side
effects; the antifungal medication will prevent you from
developing Candidiasis.
