Thrush is considered to be an exclusively female disease. Nevertheless, the disease often affects the representatives of the stronger sex. Unfortunately, many people for one reason or another are embarrassed to go to the doctor. In an attempt to diagnose the disease on their own, patients are looking for any information about the disease, including causes and symptoms. Readers are also interested in photos.
Treatment of candidiasis in men, however, should be de alt with by a specialist. Attempts to self-medicate, 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 the 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 yeast-like fungi that are part of the natural microflora of the intestines, mouth and genitals.
Normally, the number of these microorganisms is strictly controlled by the immune systemhuman and the activity of beneficial bacteria microflora. 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. However, men are equally susceptible to it. It's just that in the representatives of the stronger sex, the disease often occurs in a latent form, without the appearance of external symptoms.
Are there risk factors?
According to experts, some men are more likely to develop this disease than others. The list of risk factors is as follows:
- non-compliance with the rules of personal (in particular, intimate) hygiene;
- promiscuous, casual sex without using condoms;
- dysbacteriosis, including the one that develops while taking antibiotics;
- weakening of the immune system of various origins;
- hormonal disruptions;
- increased levels of sugar in the urine and blood (this creates ideal conditions for the rapid reproduction of fungi);
- taking antidepressants (affects the state of immunity);
- patient is overweight;
- the appearance of mechanical damage on the skin of the genital organs, for example, cracks, abrasions, ulcers;
- HIV infection;
- overweight;
- diabetes mellitus;
- Patients who have undergone radiation and chemotherapy are more prone to this type of disease.
Main symptoms of the disease
Symptoms and treatment of candidiasis in men are closely interrelated, since therapy depends on the stage of development of the disease and the degree of spread of the inflammatory process.
As a rule, at first the skin on the head of the penis, as well as the tissues of the foreskin, turn red and swell. The man is worried about constant burning and itching. A characteristic sign of pathology is the presence of white curdled discharge, which often accumulates in the preputial cavity. The discharge has a characteristic sour smell.
Due to swelling, inflammation and constant itching, the patient's quality of life is drastically reduced. Urination, as well as sexual intercourse, is accompanied by pain. Skin tissues and mucous membranes gradually become thinner, therefore they are more prone to various injuries - abrasions, cracks, and small erosions often appear on the skin.
What complications can thrush lead to?
In most cases, the treatment of candidiasis in men with drugs gives good results. And yet, some patients experience complications, especially if the inflammatory process becomes protracted. The fact is that the treatment of chronic candidiasis in men is much more difficult.
- Thrush greatly increases the body's susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases.
- Sometimes the inflammatory process leads to the formation of painful cracks and erosions on the skin and mucous membranes of the external genital organs of patients.
- Sometimes the infection spreads to other organssmall pelvis. 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
When you notice alarming 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 signs gives the doctor enough reason to assume the presence of thrush.
- Informative is a swab from the urethra and preputial sac. Microscopic examination makes it possible to detect colonies of yeast fungi and other pathogenic microorganisms.
- Additional studies are often 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 have arisen against the background of this disease.
Treatment of candidiasis in men: drugs
A course of treatment can only be compiled by a doctor after carefully collecting an anamnesis and studying the results of all tests. Much here depends on the general condition of the patient, the form and stage of development of the disease.
So, what kind of therapy is required if a man is diagnosed with candidiasis? Symptoms and treatment for such a disease, as already mentioned, are closely interrelated. If, against the background of activation of the infection, only balanoposthitis develops, then, as a rule,enough application of ointments and creams. There are a huge number of pharmaceutical products that can cope with this disease.
Effective are the ointments "Mycozoral", "Sebozol" and "Mikoket". Also, Nizoral, Mikozon and Dermazol creams are often used. All these products contain antifungal substances that destroy the membranes of fungal cells.
As a rule, the skin of the penis is treated with ointments/creams twice a day. This should be done after hygiene procedures. The course of treatment of candidiasis in men with the help of such means, 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 pills. Treatment of candidiasis in men with "Fluconazole" is currently 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, for one reason or another, Fluconazole is not suitable for patients, it can be replaced with drugs such as Intraconazole, Rumikoz, Nystatin. These are also good antimycotic agents that help to cope with thrush. Therapy can last from 6 to 14 days.
Sometimes candidiasis is complicated by a bacterial infection - in such cases, broad-spectrum antibiotics are needed. To the schemetherapy, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be administered, both in the form of tablets and in the form of creams, ointments and gels. Also, patients are advised to take vitamin complexes, as this helps to strengthen immune defenses and speed up the healing process.
Restoration of microflora
Treatment of candidiasis in men, as well as in women, must be comprehensive. It is not enough just to get rid of pathogenic microorganisms, it is also necessary to restore the natural microflora of the body. That is why probiotics must be included in the treatment regimen. The composition of these products contains cultures of live bacteria. These are beneficial microorganisms that quickly colonize body tissues and normalize the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the microflora. The list of the most effective drugs includes Acipol, Bifiform, Linex, Bifidumbacterin.
In addition, patients take the so-called prebiotics. These drugs contain nutrients for those very beneficial bacteria (for example, lactulose, some carbohydrates, vitamins). Their list includes Lactofiltrum, Prelax, Laktusan.
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,ensure that pathogens are attacked from within.
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 microbes. It is also worth giving up fatty and fried foods, alcohol. The use of fresh fruits, vegetable salads will positively affect the state of microflora. Be sure to include dairy products in your diet.
Candidiasis in the mouth: treatment
In men, pathogenic microorganisms can affect not only the tissues of the epithelium of the penis, 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 are aggravated during eating, talking. Perhaps the appearance of ulcers and erosions on the skin of the lips, mucous membranes. Many patients develop pockets at the corners of their mouths.
As in the case of inflammation of the genital organs, patients are prescribed antifungal drugs, such as Nizoral, Clotrimazole, Nystatin. A single dose of 200-400 mg of fluconazole is effective.
Mucoidthe shells of the mouth and skin must be treated with special solutions. Lugol's solution, aniline dyes (brilliant green, fucorcin solution, methylene blue) are considered effective. These funds 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 should be rinsed, 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 follow 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 medicines that are offered by experienced herbalists.
- Contrast baths give good results. First you need to prepare two basins with water of different temperatures (it is better to add decoctions of medicinal herbs to it, such as chamomile or calendula). Periodically, you need to sit down in hot, then in cool water. The procedure should be repeated until a temperature difference is felt. Herbal decoctions help relieve inflammation and itching, while contrast baths strengthen the immune system.
- Decoctions of chamomile and calendula can be used anddifferently. Two tablespoons of dry grass should be poured with 500 ml of water, put on a small fire and brought 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 - it helps to strengthen the immune system.
- Eucalyptus decoction is also used for washing the genitals. Three tablespoons of the leaves of the plant should be poured with three cups of boiling water, after which the container should be covered and infused for 20-40 minutes.
- Tea tree oil is also considered beneficial. This is a concentrated product, so it is best mixed with olive oil or a small amount of hypoallergenic cream. Treat the skin of the penis with the resulting medicine twice a day. Tea tree oil has pronounced antiseptic properties, therefore it effectively copes with various kinds of infections, including candidiasis. Olive oil provides gentle care to the tissues, helps to cope with itching and dry skin.
- Other oils can be used to treat thrush. Sea buckthorn and rose hip oil is considered effective. A small gauze pad should be soaked in oil, then applied to the affected area of the skin for 15-20 minutes. By the way, for the same purpose, you can use aloe liniment (sold in pharmacies) or juice from fresh leaves of the plant.
- Parsley decoction can also be used for washing. You just need to pour a tablespoon of crushed plant roots (fresh) with a glass of water, bring to a boil and insist.
- Wound healing propertieshas a decoction of dill seeds.
Treatment of candidiasis in men with folk remedies gives results, but you should not engage in self-treatment. Any home-made medicines can be used only after consulting a doctor. If, during therapy, discomfort in the genital area only intensified, 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 speed up the healing process.
For example, personal hygiene is extremely important. Genitals should be thoroughly washed twice a day. For water procedures, you need to use either special products for personal hygiene, or decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, sage, oak bark, string - these plants have pronounced anti-inflammatory and mild antiseptic properties).
Immediately after the start of treatment, you need to change your underwear to new ones or wash existing ones at the highest possible temperature. Do the same with towels and linens. By the way, synthetic swimming trunks should be abandoned. Underwear should be loose and made from natural fabrics.
For the duration of therapy, you need to stop sexual intercourse. Both partners must be treated, even if one of them has no symptoms of thrush - this will prevent re-infection.
Prevention measures
Treatment of candidiasis in men in most casesends 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 practice good personal hygiene, use appropriate soaps and other skin care products for the skin of the vulva.
- Experts recommend abandoning tight synthetic underwear, because high humidity in the inguinal zone creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of fungal microorganisms. It is better to give preference to loose-fitting cotton models.
- If casual intercourse with unfamiliar partners occurs, it is important to always use a condom.
- The work of the immune system is also of great importance. Proper nutrition, hardening, physical activity - all this will help strengthen the body's defense against various infections.
- Don't miss your scheduled medical checkups. It is recommended to visit the urologist's office at least twice a year and take tests for sexual infections. If there is a risk of developing diabetes, then you should also check your blood sugar periodically.
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.
