Caused by the same pathogen that infects women - namely the fungus Candida albicans - Candida in men can manifest as balanitis (inflammation of the glans penis), a characteristic rash and / or thrush (so-called oral candidiasis).
The diagnosis of candida in humans is simple and fast, as the infection in question produces easily recognizable signs; however, in some situations, further in-depth tests, such as blood or urine tests, may be needed.
The treatment of candida in men (as it happens in women) is based on the use of antifungal drugs, including derivatives of imidazole and fluconazole.
Like candida in women, candida in men does not generally represent a serious and dangerous condition for the affected person.
Contrary to what most people think, candida not only affects women, but also men.
Brief reminder of what Candida is
Candida (or candidiasis) is a "fungal infection (or mycosis) caused by the fungus Candida albicans. This fungus is naturally present in the human body; in particular, it loves to live in humid and warm environments, such as the mouth, throat, gastrointestinal tract and genitals (vagina and glans).
Like Candida albicans Cause Candida
Candida albicans it is, in fact, a fungus that is generally harmless to humans, as the so-called "good bacteria" constituting the bacterial flora and the immune system prevent its pathological proliferation.
However, when these two control systems fail, Candida albicans begins to multiply intensively, giving rise to the condition known as candida or candidiasis.
What is the immune system in short
The immune system is the defensive barrier, erected by the human organism, against infectious agents and other threats coming from the external or internal environment.
. The abuse of antibiotics causes the reduction of the bacterial flora present in the human body and responsible for regulating the proliferation of microorganisms such as Candida albicans;Generally, immunosuppression is a typical problem of: people with diseases such as AIDS (which undermine the integrity of the immune system), those who take immunosuppressive drugs (ie drugs that lower the immune defenses) and the elderly (for physiological reasons) ;
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- Obesity. The skin folds formed by the rolls of fat represent an ideal environment for the multiplication of the fungus Candida albicans. Obese people, therefore, are more at risk of candidiasis;
- Sexual intercourse with an infected person. A man who has sexual intercourse with a woman with candida can develop the same infection, as he is exposed to a major colony of Candida albicans;
- Share the use of towels, underwear or soaps with an infected person (mixed use of infected objects).
Is Candida in Men a Sexually Transmitted Disease?
According to the medical community, although it can arise from sexual intercourse with affected people, candida in men is not to be considered a sexually transmitted disease (such as syphilis or genital herpes).
Epidemiology
In men, candida is less common than in women.
Statistical studies have shown that male candida is more common among men with diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and AIDS, and among men who take chemotherapy for cancer.
Similar research has also shown that male candida is more common among uncircumcised men.
and / or the mucous membrane of the mouth and pharynx.- When it involves the penis, it is the protagonist of an inflammatory process affecting the glans (the terminal part of the penis), known by the medical term of balanitis;
- When it affects the skin, it determines the onset, in certain areas of the body, of an itchy rash characterized by small red spots;
- When, finally, it compromises the good health of the oral cavity, it causes the so-called thrush or oral candidiasis.
Male Candida and Balanitis
In causing balanitis, candida in humans is associated with symptoms and signs, such as:
- Red and swollen glans;
- Irritation and itching in the glans;
- Ulcerative lesions on the glans, combined with whitish, thick, lumpy and foul-smelling secretions;
- Phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin);
- Pain and bleeding when urinating
- Pain during sexual activity (dyspareunia).
In some cases, in men with candida balanitis, it is possible for the inguinal lymph nodes to swell and become painful to the touch.
Did you know that ...
The redness of the glans is the onset symptom of male candida balanitis; then follow the itching and irritation of the head of the penis, ulcerative lesions and the other symptoms listed above.
Male Candida and Skin Rash
On the skin, male candida can cause a "rash (or rash), characterized by itching, burning, pain and small red spots; sometimes, this rash also involves the secretion of a white-yellowish substance, similar to a curd .
As a rule, the cutaneous manifestations of male candida involve the regions of skin where two adjacent areas of skin come into contact with each other, rubbing; examples of these regions - which are defined with the expression "skin folds" - are the armpits, the groin, the interdigital areas (ie between the fingers), the folds formed by localized fat and the perineum (between the genitals and anus ).
Curiosity: because certain anatomical areas stimulate the multiplication of Candida albicans?
As stated, the candida fungus likes to live in warm, humid environments.
In areas of the body such as the armpits or between the folds of localized fat, there is an ideal temperature and humidity level for the multiplication of Candida albicans.
Male Candida and Thrush
In the mouth, particularly on the mucous membrane of the tongue, palate and pharynx, male candida can cause the appearance of whitish, milky, punctate, lenticular or confluent plaques.
It should be noted that these formations are often associated with symptoms, such as: burning, difficulty in swallowing (therefore the patient struggles to eat) and lack of perception of flavors.
Did you know that ...
The main factors favoring oral candidiasis are:
- Excessive use of antibiotics;
- The use of dental prostheses;
- Immunosuppression, caused by serious diseases such as AIDS;
- Diabetes mellitus.
Candida in Man: who to turn to?
If symptoms occur at the genital level, it is advisable to consult a doctor who specializes in infections of the genitourinary system.
If the symptoms occur only in the mouth or on the skin, however, a consultation with your doctor may suffice.
Complications of Candida in Men
If it affects men who are immunosuppressed (i.e. with a weak immune system) or with particular diseases (e.g. diabetes), male candida (as well as candida in women) can degenerate into a condition known as invasive candidiasis (or invasive candida).
Invasive candida is the infection resulting from the fungus passing through the blood Candida albicans (fungemia or funghemia) and its spread to important organs, such as the heart (endocarditis), the brain (encephalitis), the eyes (endophthalmitis) or the bones (osteomyelitis).
Invasive candida can be fatal for the patient, therefore it represents a "medical emergency, which needs immediate help.
Learn more: complications of oral candida
In both men and women, in the presence of a state of immunosuppression, oral candida can degenerate into esophageal candida, due to the spread of the fungus Candida albicans in the esophagus.
Candida esophageal is responsible for difficulty and pain when swallowing, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Who is Most at Risk for Invasive Candidiasis?
Men most at risk of invasive candidiasis are:
- AIDS patients. As the reader will recall, AIDS affects the efficiency of the immune defenses;
- Those taking immunosuppressive drugs. This is the case, for example, of individuals undergoing an organ transplant;
- Those who are undergoing chemotherapy to treat a tumor. Chemotherapeutics have the side effect of reducing the efficiency of the immune system;
- Diabetics. Diabetes promotes the proliferation of Candida albicans;
- Subjects who have to periodically resort to dialysis. This is the case in men with renal insufficiency;
- Subjects who, thanks to a certain health condition, must undergo the insertion of a central venous catheter.
Did you know that ...
It is the habit of doctors to advise diabetics and dialysis patients, who develop candida, to hospitalize, so as to be able to count on a more effective treatment of the fungal infection (a more effective treatment guarantees a lower risk of complications).
(or history) of the patient.In particular situations, however, it may happen that, for diagnostic confirmation, tests such as blood tests, urinalysis, skin swabs or buccal swabs become indispensable.
When do you need further diagnostic investigations?
- When the symptoms of candida in men are severe or persist despite treatment;
- When the patient is the victim, without clear reasons, of recurrent episodes of candida;
- When there is a doubt that the patient has an undiagnosed form of diabetes or some sexually transmitted disease.
How to behave when you get Candida for the first time
Men (and women) who develop candida for the first time must undergo a "thorough medical examination, which includes, in addition to" observation of symptoms, also the evaluation of clinical history.
The information that emerges from the clinical history is of fundamental importance for the understanding of the precise triggers of candidiasis and for the planning of the most appropriate treatment plan.
If the doctor has any doubts or considers it possible the presence of a serious disease that has not yet been diagnosed (such as diabetes), he will most likely resort to the diagnostic tests already mentioned several times, i.e. skin and / or buccal swab, blood test and urinalysis.
), but could also include, if the doctor deems it appropriate, the use of topical corticosteroids.Among the antifungal drugs used in the presence of male candida, the following are reported:
- The derivatives of imidazole, in particular when the manifestations of the infection are at the oral or cutaneous level, e
- Fluconazole and analogues, especially when the infection has caused balanitis.
It is also important to underline the therapeutic importance of personal hygiene and temporary abstention from sexual activity.
Derivatives of Imidazole
The derivatives of imidazole are anti-fungal drugs, which work by destroying the cell membrane of fungi.
The mode of administration of these drugs - which come in the form of oral creams or gels - is the topical route (so the patient must apply them directly where the infection occurs).
The most used imidazole derivatives in the presence of candida in humans are: clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole and miconazole.
Among the side effects of these medicines, there is the burning after their application; if this sensation becomes unbearable and evolves into severe skin irritation, the patient should immediately expose the problem to their doctor, who will most likely change the type of therapy.
Fluconazole
Fluconazole is an antifungal drug belonging to the triazole family; compared to imidazole derivatives, its anti-fungal power is greater.
In the case of male candida, fluconazole is used when the infection has hit the genitals, causing balanitis; however, it should be noted that it could also be useful in cases of cutaneous or oral candidiasis, which do not respond to therapy based on derivatives of imidazole.
Therefore, fluconazole is ideal for the treatment of male candida that has affected the genitals and for the treatment of cutaneous or oral male candida which is resistant to imidazole derivatives.
Typically, fluconazole is taken orally, via tablets. Once in the body, this antifungal drug acts against certain enzymes that Candida albicans uses to reproduce and survive; in other words, it destroys molecules essential for the reproduction of the fungus responsible for candida.
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
FlatulenceCorticosteroids: when are they needed?
Belonging to the category of anti-inflammatory drugs, topically administered corticosteroids are among the drugs against male candida, when the "infection causes a" highly itchy rash.
It is important to remind readers that all corticosteroids are drugs which, in case of prolonged use, can cause various side effects of a certain severity; this is why their intake can only take place after a medical prescription.
Attention to personal hygiene
Paying attention to "personal hygiene is a fundamental element in the treatment of male candida.
In this sense, the rules to be followed include:
- Use of good quality cleansers, so as not to irritate the skin;
- Be careful, after each shower, to dry all the anatomical areas where the fungus can multiply Candida Albicans (therefore, genitals, armpits, perineum etc.);
Did you know that ...
In the case of genital candida, to keep the intimate parts dry as much as possible, doctors recommend the use of wide, non-compressing panties.
Temporary Abstention from Sexual Activity
Although the use of condoms prevents the transmission of candida, doctors advise to avoid sexual intercourse with the partner for the duration of the treatment and to resume only after recovery.
in man are:- Do not abuse antibiotics (follow the methods of administration indicated by the attending physician);
- Maintain body weight within the norm (therefore, lose weight, in the case of overweight or obesity);
- In the presence of conditions favoring candida (eg: diabetes, AIDS, immunosuppression from chemotherapy, etc.), take maximum care of personal hygiene and avoid sexual intercourse with people infected with Candida albicans;
- Wash the private parts with quality detergents, which do not irritate the skin of the glans;
- Thoroughly dry the private parts after each shower;
- Use condoms if your partner is infected.
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