An untreated yeast infection that persists for too long, can lead to complications that require medical attention.
These include painful sores, infertility, or even a potentially deadly bloodstream infection (calledcandidemia).
Yeast infections usually get worse until treatment begins.

tommaso79 / Getty Images
The symptoms depend on the location.
An oral infection can cause white patches inside your mouth, redness, soreness, and loss of taste.
tommaso79 / Getty Images
Do Yeast Infections Go Away on Their Own?
Yeast (Candida) naturally lives on your skin, along with other bacteria and fungi.
In moderation, it’s a healthy part of your body.
However,Candida can sometimes overgrowand can affect your mouth, genitals, and other areas of your body.
Mostyeast infectionsneed medical treatmenteither from a healthcare provider or at-home carebefore they resolve.
Occasionally, a mild yeast infection may clear up by itself.
However, most yeast infections wont improve unless you make some medical or lifestyle changes.
Complications From Untreated Yeast Infections
Yeast infections generally get worse if left untreated.
Depending on where on your body you have developed the infection, you may experience different symptoms and complications.
Fortunately, most mild to moderate yeast infections are simple to cure.
Vaginal Yeast Infections
Vaginal yeast infectionsare one of the most common types of candidiasis.
If you itch the affected area, you may experience infected wounds, swelling, and cracked skin.
This condition is especially common in infants and young children.
Symptoms of oral thrush include:
Some people are more likely to develop oral thrush.
This irritation can make it difficult to eat, drink, or speak.
When it affects the bloodstream it is called “candidemia.”
This complication usually only occurs in hospitalized patients when their immune system is severely weakened.
The swelling, redness, and irritation make urinating and intercourse painful.
Other Skin Yeast Infections
You may develop candidiasis elsewhere on your skin.
Depending on where you experience your infection, your symptoms may vary.
However, many people report burning, itching, redness, and minor swelling.
Certain creams are designed to treat external yeast infections, like those between your buttocks or on your stomach.
Other creams, such as suppositories, are intended for internal use, specifically to treat vaginal yeast infections.
However, it may also be another condition.
Is an Untreated Yeast Infection Contagious?
Every person has Candida on their body and in their mouth and digestive system, usually without causing problems.
Transferring Candida from one person to another isnt enough to make that person develop a yeast infection.
you could avoid spreading candidiasis by:
Summary
Yeast infections usually get worse until treatment begins.
An untreated yeast infection that persists for too long can lead to complications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of candidiasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for candidiasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of candidiasis.
Kopicki R, Chang JT, Kelsberg G, Safranek S.Probiotics to augment antifungal treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.afp.
2020;101(7):432-433.
Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.
Martin Lopez JE.Candidiasis (vulvovaginal).
2015 Mar 16;2015:0815.
2015;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis basics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on candidemia.
Morris BJ, Krieger JN.Penile inflammatory skin disorders and the preventive role of circumcision.Int J Prev Med.
2017;8.32 doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_377_16
Urology Care Foundation.What are yeast infections?
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About C. auris.
Nyirjesy P, Sobel JD.Genital mycotic infections in patients with diabetes.Postgrad Med.
2013;125(3):33-46. doi:10.3810/pgm.2013.05.2650