The cause of yeast infection or Candiasis as it is know, is one of the Candida species. There are over 100 naturally occurring species, but only a quarter of them are considered recognized causes of yeast infection in humans. The most prolific one is Candida albicans, followed by Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis.

For healthy individuals, the intestines are protected from the multiplication of Candida by the beneficial gastrointestinal bacterial flora. Candida is usually kept in check when the natural equilibrium between Candida and the gastrointestinal bacterial flora is maintained. Strangely enough, the main cause of yeast infection is not simply yeast organisms, although these are usually present in small amounts in most areas of the body. When this usual balance is upset, Candida species can reproduce rapidly and provoke multiple symptoms of yeast infection.

Several internal elements, several external factors and their inter-relationship create a yeast infection environment. Yeast infection, like many other recurring health diseases, is caused by several factors.

Candida overgrowth is favored by contributions from internal factors that provoke yeast multiplication, such as inherited traits (which we do not control) and lifestyle and psychological factors. Internal causes of yeast infection include: poor choices in diet (i. e. sugar rich products, white flour products, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, alcohol and other yeast fostering foods), fragile immune system and reduction in friendly probiotic bacteria.

Several more external factors and circumstances contribute to candida multiplication and infection. The yeast infection environment comes about because of these factors and associated internal co-factors.

The main external agents of candidiasis in women are: (1) douching or using female hygiene sprays; (2) wearing tight garments or clothes made from synthetic fibers; (3) the use of toilet paper that is perfumed or colored, deodorant tampons, sanitary towels or bubble bath.

The principal external agents of oral yeast infection (thrush) are: (1) introducing dirty objects into a mouth (above all for babies); (2) wearing orthodontic appliances or dentures that fit poorly; (3) treatment by poorly disinfected medical equipment destined for multiuse.

The main external agents of baby diaper rash are: (1) skin remains in excessive contact with urine and feces because of diapers kept too long; (2) allergy reactions due to the dye in training pants and disposable diapers, and also the effects of wipes, lotions and creams, etc.; (3) lipid-dissolving soaps that increase the permeability of the skin, making diaper dermatitis even riskier; (4) folds in the skin due to obesity, with additional moisture and friction due to insufficient circulation of air.

The external reasons of male yeast infection are: (1) neglect of male personal hygiene; (2) sexual intercourse with a partner already infected by a yeast infection; (3) using glycerin based lubricants or soaps that are colored or perfumed.

The external vectors of paronychia (nail bed infections) are: (1) the nail plate can be lifted up off the nail bed after soaking hands in water for a long time (this means that bacteria and yeasts easily penetrate and multiply in the space under the nail); (2) use of clothing and shoes where air does not circulate.

Although the external agents of yeast infection are well documented, the fundamental contributing factors are less so. With medicine in developed countries focused on dealing with the manifestation of candida in the parts that are infected, conventional yeast infection treatments are for the short term. The alternative is holistic medicine which looks at the body as a whole and aims to establish an internal balance, reinforcing the immune system and improving mental stability. The holistic program, based on specific supplements of herbs and vitamins, follows a full group of dietary principles and protocols to control Candida and thus addresses the internal as well as the external contributing aspects, to eliminate the basic causes of yeast infection, the multitude of handicapping symptoms and its recurrence.