Thrush is considered to be exclusively a female disease. Nevertheless, the disease often affects the representatives of the stronger sex. Unfortunately, many people for one reason or another are embarrassed to see a doctor. In an attempt to diagnose the disease on their own, patients seek any information about the disease, including causes and symptoms. Readers and photos are of interest.
The treatment of candidiasis in men, however, should be dealt with by a specialist. Self-treatment attempts, refusal of therapy are fraught with the development of dangerous complications.
What is a disease?
It is worth learning more about the causes and mechanism of the development of the disease, before considering the features of treatment of candidiasis in men. The photo below shows the structure of fungi of the genus Candida. These microorganisms are the causative agents of thrush.
These are yeast-like fungi that are part of the natural microflora of the intestine, oral cavity and genitals.
Normally, the number of these microorganisms is strictly controlled by the human immune system and the activity of beneficial microflora bacteria. But sometimes, for one reason or another, fungal organisms begin to multiply rapidly, which leads primarily to damage to the surface tissues (mucous membranes).
It is generally accepted that candidiasis is an exclusively female disease. Nevertheless, men are no less susceptible to it. It's just that among the stronger sex, the ailment often proceeds in a latent form, without the appearance of external symptoms.
Are there any risk factors?
According to expert reviews, some men are more likely to develop such a disease than others. The list of risk factors is as follows:
- non-observance of the rules of personal (in particular, intimate) hygiene;
- promiscuous sex, random sexual intercourse without the use of condoms;
- dysbiosis, including one that develops with antibiotics;
- weakening of the immune system of various origins;
- hormonal disruptions;
- increased sugar levels in urine and blood (this creates ideal conditions for the rapid multiplication of fungi);
- taking antidepressants (affects the state of immunity);
- the patient has excess weight;
- the appearance on the skin of the genital organs of mechanical damage, for example, cracks, abrasions, ulcers;
- HIV infection;
- overweight;
- diabetes;
- patients who underwent radiation and chemotherapy are more prone to diseases of this kind.
The main symptoms of the disease
Symptoms and treatment of candidiasis in men are closely interconnected, since therapy depends on the stage of development of the disease and the degree of spread of the inflammatory process.
As a rule, first the skin on the head of the genital organ, as well as the tissues of the foreskin, redden and swell. The man is worried about constant burning and itching. A characteristic feature of pathologists is the presence of white curdled secretions, which often accumulate in the prepuce cavity. The discharge has a characteristic sour smell.
Due to edema, inflammation and constant itching, the patient's quality of life is sharply reduced. Urination, as well as sexual intercourse, is accompanied by pain. Skin tissues and mucous membranes gradually thin out, therefore they are more susceptible to various injuries - abrasions, cracks, and small erosions often appear on the skin.
What complications can thrush lead to?
In most cases, treatment of candidiasis in men with drugs gives good results. Nevertheless, some patients are faced with complications, especially if the inflammatory process goes into a protracted form. The fact is that the treatment of chronic candidiasis in men is much more difficult.
- Thrush significantly increases the body's susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases.
- Sometimes the inflammatory process leads to the formation of painful cracks and erosion on the skin and mucous membranes of the external genital organs of patients.
- Sometimes the infection spreads to other pelvic organs. The list of complications includes urethritis, cystitis, nephritis, inflammation of the prostate gland. Candidiasis can even lead to infertility, although such cases are extremely rare.
Diagnostic measures
If you notice disturbing symptoms, you should immediately contact a specialist. Diagnosis of candidiasis is rarely difficult.
- External examination of the genitals and the presence of a complex of symptoms gives the doctor enough reason to suggest the presence of thrush.
- Informative is a smear from the urethra and the preputial sac. Microscopic examination makes it possible to detect colonies of yeast and other pathogenic microorganisms.
- Often, additional studies are carried out, in particular a blood test for hormones, ultrasound of the pelvic organs, etc. Such procedures make it possible to identify the causes of the development of the disease, to diagnose complications that arose against the background of this disease.
Treatment of candidiasis in men: drugs
The course of treatment can only be made by a doctor after carefully collecting anamnesis and studying the results of all tests. Here a lot depends on the general condition of the patient, the form and stage of development of the disease.
So, what therapy is needed if candidiasis is diagnosed in a man? Symptoms and treatment for a similar disease, as already mentioned, are closely interrelated. If only balanoposthitis develops against the background of infection activation, then, as a rule, the use of ointments and creams is sufficient. There are a huge number of pharmaceutical products that can cope with this disease.
Effective ointments are considered to be "Mycozoral", "Sebozol" and "Mikoket". Also, Nizoral, Mykozon and Dermazole creams are often used. All these products contain antifungal substances that destroy the membranes of fungal cells.
As a rule, ointments / creams treat the skin of the penis twice a day. This should be done after hygiene procedures. The course of treatment of candidiasis in men with the help of such drugs, as a rule, lasts seven days. It is worth noting that some drugs sometimes cause itching and burning - these are the most common side effects.
In addition, patients are prescribed antifungal tablets. Treatment of candidiasis in men with "Fluconazole" is today considered the most effective. Tablets are taken within 1-3 days - this is usually enough to eliminate the acute form of the disease. By the way, this drug is also available under other trade names: "Mikosist", "Flucostat", "Diflucan".
If Fluconazole is not suitable for one reason or another, it can be replaced with drugs such as Intraconazole, Rumikoz, Nystatin. These are also good antimycotic agents that help cope with thrush. Therapy can last from 6 to 14 days.
Sometimes candidiasis is complicated by a bacterial infection - in such cases, antibiotics of a wide spectrum of exposure are necessary. Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be introduced into the treatment regimen, both in the form of tablets, and in the form of creams, ointments and gels. Also, patients are recommended taking vitamin complexes, as this helps to strengthen the immune defense and speed up the healing process.
Microflora recovery
Treatment of candidiasis in men, as well as in women, must be comprehensive. It is not enough to get rid of pathogenic microorganisms, it is also necessary to restore the body's natural microflora. That is why probiotics are necessarily included in the treatment regimen. These agents contain cultures of living bacteria. These are beneficial microorganisms that quickly colonize body tissues and normalize the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of microflora. The list of the most effective drugs include Acipol, Bifiform, Linex, Bifidumbacterin.
In addition, patients take the so-called prebiotics. These medicines contain nutrients for those very beneficial bacteria (for example, lactulose, some carbohydrates, vitamins). Their list includes Lactofiltrum, Prelax, Lactusan.
Features of the treatment of chronic forms of the disease
You already know what drugs are used to treat candidiasis in men. Therapy for chronic thrush is slightly different. Of course, patients take antifungal agents. Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used to relieve inflammation. In addition, immunomodulators are added to the course of therapy, helping to strengthen the body's defenses, provide an effect on the pathogenic microorganisms from the inside.
Special diet
Of course, only a doctor can draw up an effective treatment regimen for candidiasis in men. At home, the patient can also do something. First of all, you need to review your diet.
The fact is that the vital activity of fungal microorganisms directly depends on what a person eats. For example, the use of large quantities of flour, sweets, chocolate creates an ideal breeding ground for germs. It is also worth abandoning fatty and fried foods, alcohol. The use of fresh fruits and vegetable salads will positively affect the state of microflora. Be sure to include sour-milk products in the diet.
Candidiasis in the mouth: treatment
In men, pathogenic microorganisms can affect not only the tissues of the epithelium of the genital organ, but also the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Thrush in this case is accompanied by the formation of a whitish coating, which can be seen on the inner surfaces of the cheeks and lips. Patients complain of pain and burning, which intensify during meals, talking. The appearance of ulcers and erosion on the skin of the lips, mucous membranes. Many patients have jabs in the corners of their mouths.
As in the case of genital inflammation, patients are prescribed antifungal drugs, such as Nizoral, Clotrimazole, Nystatin. A single dose of 200-400 mg of fluconazole is effective.
Mucous membranes of the mouth and skin need to be treated with special solutions. Effective are Lugol's solution, aniline dyes (brilliant green, fucorcin solution, methylene blue). These agents have pronounced antiseptic properties and do a good job with the inflammatory process. Affected areas of the skin of the lips and existing seizures are treated with nystatin or levorin ointment.
This is what the treatment of candidiasis in men looks like. At home, the mouth must be rinsed, and preferably after each meal. For this, decoctions of chamomile or sage, a weak (two percent) solution of baking soda or sodium tetraborate can be used. Of course, you need to stick to the right diet. With complex treatment, the symptoms of the disease, as a rule, begin to disappear after 2-3 days.
Folk remedies for the treatment of thrush
Is it possible to treat candidiasis in men with folk remedies? Of course, there are a huge number of drugs that are offered by experienced herbalists.
- Good results are given by contrasting baths. First you need to prepare two basins with water of different temperatures (it is better to add decoctions of herbs, such as chamomile or calendula). From time to time you need to sit in hot or cool water. The procedure should be repeated until a temperature difference is felt. Herbal decoctions help relieve inflammation and itching, and contrast baths strengthen the immune system.
- Decoctions of chamomile and calendula can be used in another way. Two tablespoons of dry grass need to pour 500 ml of water, put on a small fire and bring to a boil. After the broth is infused, it must be filtered. The resulting liquid is used for compresses and washings.
- It is good to drink chamomile tea - this helps strengthen the immune system.
- To wash the genitals, a decoction of eucalyptus is also used. Three tablespoons of the leaves of the plant should be filled with three glasses of boiling water, after which the container should be covered and insisted for 20-40 minutes.
- Tea tree oil is also considered beneficial. This is a concentrated product, so it is better to mix it with olive oil or a small amount of hypoallergenic cream. With the medicine obtained, treat the skin of the penis twice a day. Tea tree oil has pronounced antiseptic properties, so it effectively copes with various infections, including candidiasis. Olive oil provides gentle care to the tissues, helps cope with itching and dry skin.
- Other oils may also be used to treat thrush. Sea buckthorn and rosehip oil are considered effective. A small gauze cloth should be wetted in oil, and then applied to the affected area of the skin for 15-20 minutes. By the way, for this purpose, you can use aloe liniment (sold in pharmacies) or juice from fresh leaves of the plant.
- For washing, you can use a decoction of parsley. You just need to pour a tablespoon of the crushed roots of the plant (fresh) with a glass of water, bring to a boil and insist.
- A decoction of dill seeds has wound healing properties.
Treatment of candidiasis in men with folk remedies yields results, but it is still not worth it to self-medicate. Any home-made medicine can be used only after consulting a doctor. If the discomfort in the genital area only intensified during therapy, it is worth temporarily abandoning the use of the agent that caused such a reaction.
Additional recommendations
Therapy should be supplemented with some other activities that will accelerate the healing process.
For example, personal hygiene is crucial. The genitals should be washed thoroughly twice a day. For water procedures, you need to use either special means for personal hygiene, or decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, sage, oak bark, succession - these plants have pronounced anti-inflammatory and mild antiseptic properties).
Immediately after the start of treatment, you need to change underwear to a new one or wash already existing at the highest possible temperature. The same should be done with towels and bed linen. By the way, synthetic swimming trunks need to be abandoned. Underwear should be spacious, made from natural fabrics.
During therapy, you need to stop sexual intercourse. Both partners must undergo treatment, even if one of them has no symptoms of thrush - this will prevent re-infection.
Preventive actions
Treatment of candidiasis in men in most cases ends with a full recovery. Nevertheless, therapy sometimes lasts several weeks, and the risk of complications always exists. That is why it is better to follow some rules to reduce the likelihood of candidal inflammation.
- It is important to adhere to the rules of personal hygiene, use the appropriate soap and other skin care products for the external genitalia.
- Experts recommend abandoning tight synthetic underwear, because the increased humidity in the inguinal zone creates favorable conditions for the propagation of fungal microorganisms. It is better to give preference to cotton models of a free cut.
- If you have random sexual intercourse with unfamiliar partners, it is important to always use a condom.
- Of great importance is the work of the immune system. Proper nutrition, hardening, physical activity - all this will help strengthen the body's defense against various kinds of infections.
- Do not skip scheduled medical examinations. It is recommended that you visit the urologist’s office at least twice a year and have sex tests. If there is a risk of developing diabetes, then you should also periodically check your blood sugar.
Of course, when the first alarming symptoms appear, you need to see a doctor. Treatment of candidiasis in men is much easier if the disease was diagnosed at an early stage of development.