Table of contents
What is Candida?
How Can Candida overgrowth cause Eczema?
Candida rash versus eczema
What medications help Candida and Eczema?
How functional medicine might help candida and eczema treatment
Diet and candida and eczema
Supplements: what can help
Other Tips for Eczema
Tests for Candida
Overview: quick answer
Candida can worsen eczema in some situations, especially in warm, moist skin folds, after antibiotics, or when the skin barrier is very inflamed.
However it is not the single root cause of eczema for most people.
If you do have candida, and think it is linked to eczema, a functional-medicine approachmay help.
The aim is to eradicate the yeast overgrowth as well as protecting and repairing the skin barrier, reducing potential triggers such as food, and uses targeted diet and supplements such as antifungals but avoiding extreme elimination diets.
If your flexures are shiny red, sting, and show “satellite” dots around the edges, Candida overgrowth may be part of your picture. Treat the yeast, keep the area dry, and carry on with good barrier care.
What is Candida?
Fungi live naturally on everyone’s skin.
Candida can overgrow on your skin when the barrier is damaged, when your skin is damp or occluded, or maybe after you have taken antibiotics, or in some cases if you have consumed a high sugar or had too much alcohol in your diet.
In patients with eczema, two types of fungal problems are seen most often. Candida albicans is the most common species in humans. It loves moisture and damp environments, it may develop in armpits, groin, mouth, genital area, under your breasts, between your buttocks and toes, the corners of the mouth, and the nappy area.
The second group are dermatophytes (moulds) that cause tinea, commonly called “ringworm”. These moulds cause ring-shaped patches on the body (tinea corporis), scalp infection (tinea capitis) or athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).
What is eczema?
Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is a long-term skin condition where the skin barrier is weak and the immune system is over-reactive. The result is dry, itchy, inflamed skin that can flare, settle, and flare again. It is common in children but can start at any age. Eczema is not an infection and it is not contagious.
How Can Candida overgrowth cause Eczema?
There are three main ways candida overgrowth may aggravate eczema.
1) Local overgrowth on damaged skin.
Eczema leaves tiny cracks in the barrier. In warm, moist areas, Candida can take hold and cause a yeast dermatitis on top of eczema. It usually looks shiny red with a defined edge and small “satellite” pustules.
It stings more than itches. Clearing the yeast reduces the extra inflammation so your usual eczema care works again.
2) Sensitisation (allergy-type response).
Some people with eczema make IgE antibodies to proteins from Candida albicans. This is called sensitisation. It means the immune system recognises Candida and can react to it—not that there is an active yeast infection everywhere.
When a sensitised person is exposed to Candida on the skin (for example, in damp folds) or on mucosal surfaces (mouth, genital area), the immune system can release histamine and other mediators. That amplifies redness, even if a swab would not show a heavy yeast overgrowth. In practice, this often looks like eczema that flares more easily in warm, humid conditions, after antibiotics, or when the skin stays damp under clothing.
3) Microbiome shifts.
The skin “mycobiome” (yeast community) changes with flares, antibiotics, humidity and products. Studies show site-specific changes in Candida and Malassezia during active eczema. This supports a tailored, site-based approach rather than one cure for all.
Candida rash versus eczema
Where is Eczema found on the body?
Eczema can occur anywhere but is common on the hands, wrists, inside elbows and behind knees. The skin is dry, itchy and often rough.
A candida rash favours warm, moist folds such as armpits, groin, under the breasts, between buttocks and toes, and the nappy area. It may also affect the corners of your mouth (angular cheilitis).
What does eczema and Candida rashes look like?
Eczema patches are dry or scaly, with scratch marks. In long-standing areas the skin can look thickened.
Candida rashes look bright red and shiny with a sharp edge. Small “satellite” spots or pustules often sit just beyond the main edge. The surface may be moist or cracked.
How it feels
Eczema mostly itches. Scratching makes it worse.
Candida often stings or burns as well as itching, especially in skin folds and after sweating.
Common triggers for Candida versus Eczema
Eczema flares with dry air, fragranced products, harsh soaps, wool or rough fabrics, stress and poor sleep.
Candida flares with heat, sweat, friction, tight clothing, damp skin after exercise or bathing, recent antibiotics, and macerated nappy areas.
What medications help Candida and Eczema?
Emollients help both.
Eczema usually improves with short courses of prescribed anti-inflammatories.
Candida can worsen if a steroid is used alone on a shiny red fold rash. It usually improves quickly when a topical antifungal (e.g., clotrimazole, miconazole, ketoconazole or nystatin in nappies) is added.
If the area is very inflamed, a mild steroid can be layered for a few days with the antifungal, then stopped while the antifungal is completed.
How functional medicine might help candida and eczema treatment
Diet and candida and eczema
Short answer: there isn’t strong proof that a high-sugar diet directly causes Candida overgrowth or eczema. But there are links worth knowing:
- For eczema: large international surveys and newer cohort data suggest diets high in fast food/added sugars are associated with more severe eczema, especially in older children/teens. That’s correlation (not proof of cause), but it’s consistent across studies. ScienceDirect+3PubMed+3thorax.bmj.com+3
- For Candida: high blood glucose clearly helps Candida albicans stick, grow and form biofilms (seen in diabetes and lab/animal work). In healthy people, one controlled study found adding refined carbs had limited effect on gut Candida colonisation—so sugar alone isn’t a proven driver. PMC+2MDPI+2
- Still in clinic some ptients do claim that reducing sugar and fast-food helps.
What diet helps most people with eczema and candida overgrowth
- Regular meals with adequate protein at each sitting such as fish, chicken and turkey
- Plenty of vegetables in cooked, skin-friendly forms (soups, stews, roasted veg) such as green beans, spinach, carrots, broccoli
- Healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds; oily fish twice weekly).
- Lower ultra-processed foods and avoid sugar and alcohol for a few weeks while skin calms.
- Do not eliminate any food groups
Consider a candida diet – low sugar, low yeast diet if you think you have a candida overgrowth.
This means cutting out sugar and yeast – marmite, balsamicc vingear and soya sauce
Supplements: what can help
The following supplements may help Eczema.
- Vitamin D3
- Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
- Probiotics .
- Zinc
If you have eczema and candida consider supplements such as
- Caprylic acid/Coconut
- Grapefruit seed
- Probiotics .
Other Tips for Eczema
- Bathe smart. Have Short, lukewarm showers. Gentle, fragrance-free cleanser only where needed.
- Moisturise twice daily. Thicker at night. Emollients repair the barrier and reduce openings for yeast.
- Dry the folds. After bathing or exercise, pat dry and use a cool hairdryer in armpits, groin and under breasts.
- Laundry tweaks. Use Non-bio liquid, no fragrance, extra rinse.
- Clothing. Wear Soft, breathable fabrics; avoid tight occlusive sportswear during flares.
- Treat flares early. Short courses of prescribed anti-inflammatories stop the itch–scratch cycle that invites infection.
Functional Medicine tests for Candida Overgrowth and Eczema
Below are a list of tests that you can consider if you wish to test for candida.
Stool Candida by culture/qPCR
- This is a useful test if you have digestive symptoms as well as eczema and Candida overgrowth
- The test will screen for candida and hundred of strains of yeast as well as your gut microbiome, parasites and bacteria
This test looks at fungal dysbiosis/candida overgrowth in urine. It is very sensitive and looks at a marker called Arabinose.
Urine organic acids: D-/L-arabinitol (OAT)
- This urine test looks at fungal dysbiosis/candida overgrowth in urine. It is very sensitive and looks at a marker called Arabinose.
SIBO breath test (glucose or lactulose)
- Use when: There’s early post-meal bloating (30–90 min), belching, visible distension, or methane-pattern constipation alongside eczema flares.
- Changes the plan: If positive, run a short, targeted antimicrobial protocol + motility routine; often improves GI triggers that lower the itch threshold.
- Caveats: This is not a Candida test. It addresses a common co-driver when gut symptoms are prominent.
When to Seek Help
If you think you have candida and eczema need help with diet and supplements it is important to ensure you’re working with a qualified practitioner — especially if you’re considering elimination diets. Cutting out foods unneccesarily may lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Unfortunately, many people attempt to tackle Candida overgrowth on their own, often following advice from online forums or social media. It’s not uncommon for someone to stay on strict antifungal supplements or restrictive diets for 6 months or more without professional guidance.
This DIY approach can do more harm than good.
Long-term use of antifungals, without proper guidance can disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome
Working with a practitioner is key to ensuring your protocol is effective, safe, and sustainable.
Book a consulation
Book a 1:1 consultation to get expert support and a Candida plan that actually works.
Alternatively test for Candida or use a GI-MAP Test
FAQ: Common Questions About Candida and Eczema
Does Candida cause eczema?
No. It can worsen eczema in specific places and situations, but it isn’t the root cause.
Is eczema bacterial?
Many people with eczema carry Staphylococcus aureus on their skin. This colonisation can worsen inflammation and itching but isn’t the root cause.
Secondary infection: Scratching can break the skin and let bacteria in. Signs of infection include increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, weeping, pus, honey-coloured crusts, or feeling unwell/fever. That’s when antibiotics (topical or oral) may be needed.
Routine antibiotics aren’t for flares. If there’s no infection, antibiotics don’t help eczema and can cause resistance.
Does candida die-off cause Eczema
There’s no good evidence that “Candida die-off” directly causes eczema flares.
“Die-off” (sometimes called a Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction) is a term people use when symptoms briefly worsen after starting treatment for an infection. That reaction is well-described for some bacterial infections, not for routine skin or gut yeast issues. With everyday Candida problems (thrush, fold rash), a true systemic die-off reaction is unlikely.
Do I need antifungals on all my patches?
No. Use topical antifungals where the rash looks candida-type (shiny red fold rash with satellite spots; thrush). Elsewhere: emollients + your prescribed anti-inflammatory.
Do I need a strict anti-yeast diet?
Not routinely. A short low-sugar reset can help overall comfort. Re-introduce foods so you don’t get stuck on restriction.
What about dandruff and facial flares?
Those often involve Malassezia. Use an antifungal shampoo as a short-contact wash plus your regular eczema routine.
Can I test for Candida ??
Yes—We offer Candida stool test or the more comprehensice GI-MAP Test
References
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Author – Victoria Tyler BSc Hons MBANT
Victoria Tyler owns and runs two busy clinics : Nutrition and Vitality and the IBS and Gut Disorder Clinic.
Nutrition and Vitality, along with the IBS and Gut Disorder Clinic, were founded with the goal of helping patients alleviate IBS symptoms by uncovering and addressing the root causes of their digestive issues.
As a Registered Nutritional Therapist, Victoria holds a BSc (Hons) in Nutritional Therapy and has trained with the Institute of Functional Medicine. She is also accredited by BANT and CNHC.
Before transitioning into health, Victoria earned a degree in Economics and an MBA, working with corporations including Canon and Vodafone. However, her own health challenges led her to pursue a career in Nutritional Therapy.
With a passion for learning, Victoria is committed to staying at the forefront of Functional Medicine. She helps patients manage IBS and other digestive disorders, including SIBO, Candida, and IBD, by identifying and addressing their root causes.
Victoria strongly believes that every symptom has an underlying cause, and there is always a solution to every health condition. To learn more, or to see patient reviews, visit Victoria’s profile on Google.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The products and methods mentioned are not a substitute for professional medical advice from a trained healthcare specialist. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Use of the information and products discussed is at your own risk.
