Candida is a yeast, which is a form of mold or fungus. Candida exists in 2 forms: single cell yeasts and filamentous multi-cell structures. Single cell forms are round in shape and small, about 5 microns in diameter (a micron is 1/1,000 of a millimeter or 1/1,000,000 of a meter). The single cell forms are more common than the filamentous forms. Filamentous forms involve up to several hundred cells and can be up to 200 microns in length. Filamentous forms are generally considered to pose a greater danger of overgrowth and infection than the single celled forms.

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Molds (fungi) grow in almost all indoor and outdoor environments where they have a source of water. Molds are found in water, in the air, in and on plants and animals, in and under soil, and in all kinds of surfaces indoors. Mold can use almost anything which contains carbon as a food source, including carpeting, drywall, wood, decaying food and vegetation, and even crude oil!

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The US is now facing concerns about the H1N1 flu epidemic. In 2009, about 10,000 US citizens have died of this flu- including about 1,000 children. Much of the world has been severely affected by the AIDS/HIV epidemic over the past 29 years. However, 3 more prevalent epidemics facing the US and other developed nations include the interrelated problems of obesity, type 2 diabetes and mold related health problems.

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Fungi (mold) are a frequent cause of skin problems in children. The two most common forms of skin infections in children involve Candida and Tinea. Candida is a yeast (mold) that commonly grows in the human digestive tract and tends to overgrow with a high sugar diet and/or frequent use of antibiotics which kill off good gut bacteria. Candida also can grow on other body areas including the skin, mouth, urinary tract and sex organs such as the vagina and penis. Candida can sometimes cause life threatening infections by spreading through the bloodstream. These spreading or disseminated Candida infections are most common in patients with compromised immune systems such as those with HIV, certain forms of cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma, and genetic immune deficiencies. Candida can be spread by many means including food, water, air, and contact with people, animals and inanimate objects. Keeping skin dry can slow the spread of Candida.

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In recent years, many people, including this writer, have written many articles about many types of environmental problems in our water, air, land, food, workplaces and indoor environments.  However, we can be thankful that major progress has been made on many environmental health fronts including outdoor air quality, water quality and lead abatement.

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