If you answered "yes" to the above questions, chances are you have vaginal candidiasis, a yeast infection that can make life miserable for women.

Candidiasis is not a serious health problem nor is it a sexually transmitted disease. But it's a common infection that affects one in two women and can be both annoying and embarrassing.

The problem is caused by the fungus Candida albicans that normally lives in a healthy vagina. The acid environment of the vagina prevents the fungus from multiplying. But if the body is weakened from stress, a poor diet or pregnancy, it becomes an excellent breeding ground for Candida organisms. The fungus multiplies and causes a grocery list of uncomfortable symptoms that include vaginal itching, pain, redness, and a white discharge.

Anyone can be affected, even men. Men get the infection when they have sex with women who have candidiasis. Although they have no symptoms, men may harbor yeast organisms and re-infect their partners. The risk increases in uncircumcised males.

To prevent vaginal candidiasis, here are some practical tips:

Avoid tight clothing. Tight clothes and synthetic underwear create a warm environment for the fungus to grow. Go for loose garments and cotton underwear instead.

Wash your genital area daily and dry it thoroughly afterwards. When washing, use a mild soap and don't scrub too hard. Avoid scented or perfumed soaps as well as feminine hygiene products. These can irritate and dry out the vagina. Routine douching is unnecessary since this alters the vagina's environment and encourages yeast infections.

Watch your sugar intake. A high-sugar diet provides food for organisms and may contribute to yeast infections.

When fungi invade the nail or the skin underneath the nail, the resulting infection is called onychomycosis. Two types of fungi are responsible for the disease: dermatophytes that are seen in 90 percent of cases, and yeasts. This leads to brittle, discolored, and dull nails.

Creams and topical lotions often don't work since they can't penetrate the nails. Oral antifungal agents, on the other hand, are very expensive and have a lot of side effects. To be on the safe side, switch to Somasin AFS, a natural way to put an end to embarrassing nail infections. Somasin uses a unique dual system to stop fungi in as little as 7 days. Check out http://www.somasin.com for details.