There is a widespread misconception that candidiasis (thrush) is the destiny of women. But it turns out that this disease does not bypass the male part of the population.
It is worth saying that the strong half of humanity was much more fortunate than the ladies – the causative agent of candidiasis, the yeast-like fungus Candida, takes root very poorly on the genitals in men, because. flushed out of the urethra with urine. Therefore, development thrush in a man, this is a very alarming signal, which indicates a significant weakening of the immune system.
The Candida fungus is considered to be an opportunistic flora; normally, it can be part of the microflora of the oral mucosa, colon and vagina in women. In most cases, thrush in men affects the genitals – the foreskin and head.
Of course, candidiasis is sexually transmitted, but most often its occurrence is not at all associated with sexual contact. Even if a partner has candidiasis, it develops only when favorable conditions are created for the reproduction of fungal flora in large quantities.
The disease can develop due to:
- decrease in immunity;
- taking a number of medications;
- abrupt climate change;
- significant emotional stress, especially of a prolonged nature;
- HIV infection;
- diabetes, etc.
Symptoms of thrush in men
Candidiasis in men is accompanied by itching and burning in the area of the glans penis and foreskin. Often, their redness is also noted. A white coating may form on the head of the penis – a curdled discharge, similar to vaginal discharge in women.
Against the background of swelling and redness, a white film appears, when it is injured, surface erosion is exposed, sometimes with purulent formations. Quite often, candidiasis in men is accompanied by an unpleasant sour smell.
As a rule, after some time, a man gets used to such symptoms, begins to consider this the norm and does not go to the doctor, which subsequently complicates the treatment of the disease.
In chronic candidiasis, which exists for a long time, the skin of the penis becomes thinner, therefore it is easily injured – abrasions and abrasions appear on the penis. During sexual intercourse, a man experiences pain, discomfort also occurs during urination.
Gradually, favorable soil is created for the development of inflammatory processes and infections. Candidiasis urethritis may occur, which is expressed by the appearance of white, thick, mucous, thread-like discharge from the urethra and discomfort during urination.
Significantly increases the risk of developing balanoposthitis (inflammation of the head and foreskin of the penis) and balanitis (inflammation of the head).
Diagnosis of thrush
As a rule, a visual examination is enough for the doctor to detect candidiasis. Candidiasis is diagnosed by seeding for the detection of Candida fungi by PIF (direct immunofluorescence) and PCR (DNA diagnostics). In this case, it is important to determine not only the presence of the pathogen, but also to identify their number, because. Mushrooms in the norm may well be present on the mucous membranes and in healthy people.
For the effectiveness of treatment, it is important to clarify the species of the fungus with the help of a cultural study; for this, a scraping is taken. Candida has over 40 subtypes, but only five are distinguished in humans: C.tropicalis, C.albicans, C.glabrata, C.krusei, C.parapsilosis.
In the diagnosis of candidiasis, the collection of clinical data and anamnesis plays an important role. Identification of strains of C. albicans is also carried out using PCR.
Serological tests are also used to diagnose thrush:
- complement fixation reaction (RCC),
- agglutination reaction (RAH),
- passive hemagglutination reaction (RPHA),
- precipitation reaction (RP).
Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the doctor determines IgE (antibodies) against the species C. albicans.
During the diagnosis of candidiasis, concomitant diseases of the body and sexual infections should be excluded. It is necessary to diagnose diseases such as balanitis, if we are talking about urogenital candidiasis, eczema with smooth skin candidiasis.
Treatment of male candidiasis
For the treatment of candidiasis in men, the same drugs are used as for the treatment of women.
For mild candidiasis mucous membranes and skin, it is enough to use local medicines: suspensions, creams, antimycotic ointments. If the disease has a chronic or acute form of smooth skin and urogenital candidiasis, treatment includes mandatory anti-inflammatory antibiotic therapy.
Worked great today an integrated approach to the treatment of candidiasis: in addition to therapy with antifungal drugs, chronic diseases are treated that could provoke the development of the disease, drugs are used that increase the body’s immunity – adaptogens, immunocorrectors, biogenic stimulants. That is, the main reasons that cause the yeast-like fungus to constantly multiply are excluded.
The complex method of treating candidiasis also includes special diet, which specialists select individually for each patient. As a rule, protein-rich foods are recommended, the amount of carbohydrates is limited, and the consumption of sweets is excluded. Taking multivitamin preparations with a high content of vitamins B6, B2, C and PP helps to quickly cope with the disease.
Each patient takes a course rehabilitation therapy, which is based on the use of antihomotoxicological agents (based on naturopathic components) – suis-organ preparations, nosodes. Such drugs in their composition do not have synthesized chemical components and are not toxic.
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Be attentive to your health and the health of your partner: strengthen your immune system in a timely manner, control and maintain the normal microflora of the intestines and genital organs, and avoid stressful situations. This is the best disease prevention.
