Diseases Caused by Yeasts

In most cases, fungal infections of the skin and mucous membranes are caused by filamentous fungi (so-called dermatophytes) and yeasts. Moulds only play a subordinate role. Whereas dermatophytes only affect the skin, hair and nails (see also under fungal diseases in general, yeasts can also multiply on the mucous membranes and thus colonise the mouth, gastrointestinal tract and the genital area in addition to the skin and nails.

Some yeasts are part of a person's natural skin flora, e.g. they occur naturally on the skin surface of the person and even protect that person against pathogens penetrating the skin. Most yeasts, however, are only found temporarily on people. And they normally do not cause any illness. With a weakened immune state, however, they can multiply strongly and then lead to (skin) diseases in terms of a fungal infection.