What is the treatment for candidiasis?

• A. Topical antifungals only
• B. Systemic antifungals only
• C. Topical or systemic antifungals
• D. Antibiotics

Answer: (C)

Treating candidiasis depends on where the infection is and how severe it is. For localized, superficial infections such as oral thrush, vaginal candidiasis, or skin/diaper dermatitis, topical antifungals (for example, azoles like clotrimazole or miconazole, or polyenes like nystatin) are often effective. When the infection is more widespread, invasive, or the patient is immunocompromised, systemic antifungals taken by mouth or given intravenously (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, echinocandins, or amphotericin B) are needed.

Antibiotics do not treat fungal infections because they target bacteria, not fungi; in fact, they can disrupt normal flora and sometimes worsen candidiasis. So the appropriate approach is to use topical antifungals for localized infections or systemic antifungals for more severe cases, depending on the clinical situation.