What is candida in men ?

Candida in men

Fungal infection penis: causes, symptoms, and treatment

A fungal infection is often seen as a health problem especially women suffer from, but it can in principle affect everyone, including men.

A fungal infection on the penis, if left untreated, can lead to a large number of painful, uncomfortable and possibly genetic symptoms. It can also cause serious complications in case the infection spreads in your bloodstream.

Medicine, which you can buy without a prescription yourself, can usually correct the fungal infection and there are also some things you can do to prevent this quite common condition.

What is candida in men?

Genital candida is often referred to as a “fungal infection” and is common in women – almost three-quarters of the adult women will have a fungal infection at least once in her life. In comparison with women, infection is less common in men.

Candida is a fungal infection – an infection caused by a fungus, the Candida fungus in this case. In men, genital candida may affect the tip of the penis (the acne) and, if present, on the foreskin.

In addition to the genitals, the candida infection can also be found in other areas of the skin or on the mucosa – for example in the mouth. This is usually called sprue.

Causes of candida in men

candida is caused by Candida, which is a yeast fungus. The first description of the microorganism behind the infection was made more than 170 years ago, in 1839, by a 29-year-old professor at the university called Bernhard von Langenbeck. He would later become one of the 19th century leading surgeons.

Dr. Von Langenbeck examined the fungi Candida Albicans. This is the Candida fungus that is usually involved in candida, although other types of fungal infection may be involved (for example, the Candida Glabrata).

• Candida fungi occur naturally in the body and on the skin – it is normal for the microbe to be there. So every person cares with this fungus – but usually in an amount that does not cause problems. Research has shown that one fifth of the men carry this fungus on the penis without having signs or symptoms of balanitis.
• Candida albicans, under certain conditions, make it possible for the fungus to thrive and grow, problems and when this is in full swing, the mucous membranes will penetrate into the tissue and this results in candida.
  

  Our immune system and the natural ecology of bacteria usually control the fungus, but if this balance is disturbed, the fungus can thrive.

  An example of this is often seen in newborn babies, which can be affected by sprouts because they need to develop a balanced bowel flora.

The following risk factors increase the risk of candida:

• Antibiotics – Recent use of wide-spectrum antibiotics can cause a change in the balance of normal microbial flora. This distorts the balance and allows the Candida to overcome.
• Medications – Use of medicines that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy or corticosteroids.
• Immunosuppression – an attenuated immunity reduces the ability of the body to defend against the fungus, and Candida may thrive. An HIV infection is an example of something that weakens immunity.
• Sugar disease – Diabetes, especially if this is not controlled. Higher levels of blood sugar may also provide a more favorable environment for the fungus to thrive.
• Uncut men with poor hygiene – non-circumcised men have a wet dark area under the foreskin, which is beneficial for the fungus to grow.
• Personal hygiene. Irritating substances such as bath foam, soap, shower gel, lubricants, etc. may irritate the penis, which may cause fungal infection because it may thrive better on damaged skin. Carefully drying out after washing is also a risk factor because the fungus can best thrive on the penis under hot, humid conditions.

Can men get this fungus from a female partner?

While genital candida, commonly known as candida balanitis, is generally acquired sexually, it is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease (SOA) because it can also be present in men who do not have sexual relations

Men who have a female partner with a genital infection (also called vulvovaginal candida) need not be treated unless they get symptoms as sex does not necessarily lead to the transmission of fungal infection to men.

Men are advised to avoid unprotected sex with a female partner until the woman is recovered from the infection after treatment.

Symptoms of candida in men

Most Candida infections are a-symptomatic.

Men with genital candida may experience the following:

Around the tip of the penis:

• Red skin;
• Swelling;
• Irritation and pain;
• Itching
• Inflammation;
• White spots on the skin.Foreskin:
• Thick, lumpy scalp under the foreskin, which can cause an unpleasant odor;
• Difficulty with the retraction of the foreskin (phimosis).Ache:
• During peeing;
• During sex

Research and diagnosis

Men who have previously been diagnosed and treated for a fungal infection on the penis can try to treat themselves if they recognize the same symptoms. If the result disappears, this confirms the diagnosis and there is no need to consult a physician.

If this is the first time that a man has had a complaint or is not responding to the usual treatment, it is important to consult a doctor because a professional diagnosis also includes any underlying problems, such as diabetes where men are infected with the infection Can be excluded. Testing for sexually transmitted diseases would also be advisable.

If the doctor is not sure of the diagnosis, there may be another cause for the outcome and in severe cases, the doctor will then take a sample of the skin of the penis and the lining under the foreskin and this for laboratory examination sent.

For any stubborn ulcers or ulcers that are not cured, a biopsy may be necessary.

There are indications that a fifth of the men carry a fungal infection without having symptoms.

Medical treatments for candida in men

Many mild infections are self-reliant and therefore no treatment is required. If the symptoms cause a burden, the Candida can be killed using fungicidal topical creams or antifungal oral medication.

A fungal infection in men (candida balanitis) is treated in the same way as a fungal infection in women (vulvovaginal candida), although women are available with other forms of medication including a vaginal cream and the vaginal tablet. Treatment is effective in 80% or 90% of cases.

For men, oral or topical treatments are usually used. Diflucan is a capsule containing 150mg of the antimycotic fluconazole. It is available from a doctor or you can get it yourself without a prescription at the pharmacy. A single capsule is all you need.

Another treatment available to men is the use of oral antifungal medication, also known as imidazole. Other medicines in this class include:

• Clotrimazole (available from a wide range of brands);
• Econazole (only one species);
• Ketoconazole (from a wide range of brands available);
• Miconazole (from a wide range of brands available).

Creams are applied topically (directly in the affected area) and you usually use three to seven days once a day. Oral treatment and topical treatment are equally effective for the cure of the fungal infection.

A cream known as nystatin, also from the antifungal class and sold under many brand names, is also available for topical treatment for a fungal infection but is less effective than the imidazoles described above.

If you have never had candida symptoms before, you should consult a doctor before starting treatment yourself. Men who have previously been diagnosed and experience the same symptoms can start treatment themselves but, if treatment does not stop, visit the doctor.

What can you do if you get a fungal infection?

The best thing you can do is prevent it from getting so far. If you suffer from an infection that keeps coming back, the mold will probably have become resistant to anti-fungal agents and it is much more difficult to get rid of it. Of course, it is much easier to prevent these infections than you should later get rid of

Some other natural anti-fungal products for fungal infections on your penis that you can use are:

• Gentian violet is an all-anti-fungal drug that has been used with great success for the invention of the drug azole for many years. It is natural and non-toxic and works well for fungal infections on the skin. It may make purple spots in your clothes, but people have reported that salt can remove these spots.
• Organic coconut oil is a medicine-proven anti-fungal and works by exploding the core and plasma of the inside of the fungal cell, causing it to die. It is also a great natural lubricant for sex and helps prevent fungal infections from being transmitted to your partner. You should also take a tablespoon or two orally daily to fight the infection.
• Colloidal silver gel can kill a fungal infection on the penis very quickly and is completely safe when using a good quality product. If you do not, your skin may turn blue.
• profuse can be used by emptying the contents of the capsule directly on the fungal infection on the penis so that the active bacteria will kill the fungus. Some men also use natural yogurt in the affected area. It is also wise to eat yogurt every day to get good bacteria.
• Oregano oil must be diluted with olive oil or coconut oil so that it does not irritate the skin when treating fungal infection on the penis. It has been successfully used to treat fungal infections on the scalp and can effectively counteract fungi on the penis. Skin remains skin, men, so I do not doubt it will work on your penis, but make sure you thaw it. I spoke to men who used it directly on the penis, telling them that it burned like hell, but that the infection disappeared.
• Cinnamon oil can sprout or kill a fungal infection when applied directly to the infection. Therefore, it can also be used directly on fungal infections on the penis. You could, like the oregano oil, dilute it.
• Some men swear by white vinegar and others say it does not work. Note that if you apply it directly, it will burn like hell. Therefore, you can add a little bit of your bath water or use diluted to treat that fungal infection on your penis.
• Grapefruit pine extract can kill fungi very effectively. This has been demonstrated by several studies. But like cinnamon oil and oregano oil, it’s a hot oil and it’s better to dilute it.
• Potassium sorbate can be mixed with some water into a paste and then applied directly to the infection. It can burn a little on the skin so be careful. Potassium sorbate is the ingredient used to stop the growth of mold when making beer.
• Yogurt – Some men have also been able to kill the fungus with the aid of yogurt and apple vinegar.
• Hygiene – Mold grows best in a warm humid environment and therefore it is important to keep your penis as dry as possible. Cut the pubic hair as short as possible, avoid moisture and make sure the body heat is well below it.
• Sugar – Reduce the sugar in your diet because sugar feeds fungi and the fungus will get it straight from your bloodstream.

The best can be used to treat the fungal infection on the penis 3 or 4 of the above methods and apply them all on a rotating basis. This prevents mold from becoming resistant to anti-fungicides and increases your chance of killing the fungus.

So if you use 3 or 4 methods, do one method for 4 or 5 days and then make sure you use another method for the 4 or 5 days thereafter. This also makes it possible to find out what works best for you, because unfortunately, every method does not work for everyone equally effectively.

It is strongly recommended that you continue treatment for 30 days after all symptoms have disappeared to ensure that the fungus does not return. It is also advisable to ask if your partner has complaints and of course have safe sex until you stop treatment.

The easiest treatment is probably by using coconut oil as a lubricant because you treat both of them at one time. Please note that this form of lubricant does not match condoms and sex toys. For this, you need to use a special water-based lubricant.

Good hygiene

Good hygiene prevents and helps to treat a fungal infection because fungal infections especially thrive in damp, warm places.

Avoid shower gel

Prevent or treat a fungal infection on the penis by regularly cleaning it with plain warm water and then drying it again. But avoid shower gel and soap as they can aggravate the problems

In men with a foreskin, poor hygiene may lead to the build-up of a thick substance called smegma, which may irritate.

I would like to give you the following practical tips:

• Kill the infection by gently washing the penis with warm water – a shower is better than a bath.
• Avoid the use of perfumed shower gel or soap on the genitals as this may irritate.
• After washing, you must dry the penis carefully because the fungus can thrive best under humid conditions.
• Wear loose cotton briefs to keep the skin of the penis dry and cool.

Research has not shown that the treatment of the male partner of a woman who has recurrent vulvovaginitis can reduce attacks.

Do probiotics work?

Women who often suffer from recurrent infections try probiotics and other alternative treatments, although there is no mention of men in the medical literature who have tried these options.

In women, there is evidence of whether or not probiotics work – based on the theory that the Lactobacillus bacteria that contain them may inhibit or reduce the growth of the Candida fungal contraceptive.

It has also been shown that conventional treatment with itraconazole is significantly more effective than the use of a supplement with the ‘friendly’ bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus. However, these probiotics are useful against bacterial vaginosis.

Complications of a fungal infection penis

Some men may be susceptible to a fungal infection in the blood, known as invasive candida, which is a medical emergency. A weakened immunity may mean that a man with a genital fungal infection could become infected in the blood so that the fungus spread rapidly throughout the body.

Emergency treatment at the hospital then protects the organs from infection, while antifungal drugs are administered to kill the active fungus. Vulnerable men with a fungal infection on their penis can be advised to go to the hospital as a precaution because they are likely to have a greater chance of getting a systemic infection.

This is a serious infection that can be fatal. Anyone with one or more risk factors should be vigilant for this infection and should consider prophylactic treatment if their immunity is very low.

The following risk factors can make men with a fungal infection on the penis prone to invasive candida:

• HIV infection;
• Diabetes;
• Immunosuppressive (antiepileptic drugs) for example in transplant patients;
• High dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy in case of cancer;
• Having a central venous catheter (CVC) for the administration of medication;
• Getting dialysis.

It is said that while there is an active infection, it is better to avoid intercourse, although there is no clear evidence that this may transmit or cause a Candida infection.

candida in men