Cracks and redness of the skin at the corners of the mouth may also occur. Candida esophagitis is often associated with difficulty swallowing and discomfort or pain in the chest. Candidiasis in skin folds may result in itching, redness or darkening, and discharge. It generally occurs in the groin area, at the tip of the penis, in the armpits, or under the breasts. Most types of candidiasis are diagnosed by their appearance.
Candida vaginitis is confirmed by examining the vaginal discharge under a microscope.
Material scraped from the mouth or skin folds can also be examined in this manner. Candida esophagitis is presumptively diagnosed if thrush is present and there is pain with swallowing. If the symptoms do not respond to treatment, endoscopy may be necessary. An endoscope is a flexible instrument that is placed into the esophagus. For most forms of candidiasis, topical treatment usually works well and should be tried first before resorting to systemic treatment.