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If you were asked what male candidiasis is, would you know how to answer? Even more: would you know what the cause and symptoms are, how to diagnose it and even how to treat it?
A lot of people will probably say no. In particular, for having a mistaken idea that only women develop candidiasis – which is far from the truth! As a result, many men end up having this problem not just once, because they don’t know what the right prevention and treatment measures are.
Therefore, we brought you a post that explains, in detail, what male candidiasis is. Check out!
What is male candidiasis?
To begin with, candidiasis affects both men and women, regardless of race, age or place of origin. It can manifest not only in the person’s genitals, but in other parts of the body – such as the mouth mucosa, the skin of the face and folding areas (such as armpits).
What triggers this health problem is a fungus named Candida albicanswhich — as shown in an article published in the Journal of Fungi — alone accounts for about 70% of fungal infections on the planet.
Having explained that, let’s go to male candidiasis. This term does not refer to a different type of candidiasis. In fact, it receives that name because it has to do with the place where the infection is concentrated: the area of ​​​​the penis.
The symptoms of male candidiasis are very marked and easy to notice. The glans, for example, tends to become reddish, dry and, in some cases, even swollen. In addition, there is hypersensitivity in the area and frequent itching.
Other than that, it’s common for men to notice a discomfort that is repeated every time they urinate – which can involve not only burning, but acute pain.
How does the infection happen in men?
A curious fact about the fungus that causes candidiasis is that it is present in the body of several individuals. However, the manifestation of symptoms only occurs in two scenarios, according to a study published in the JRG Journal of Academic Studies: when there is a drop in immunity and when the bacterial flora of the skin is deregulated.
However, there are also situations that can lead to a proliferation of the fungus in your body – and, consequently, cause the necessary imbalance for the emergence of an infection. One of them is carelessness with one’s own hygiene, such as lack of bathing, cleaning after physiological needs and wearing dirty clothes.
The second situation is the intimate relationship with someone who is infected at the time – which means that there is an excess amount of the fungus on the other person’s skin.
The third, finally, is the case of people with type 2 diabetes. This is because, as a study by the Journal of Nursing and Health Care points out, the Candida albicans it is the fungus most present in the genital region of those who have this chronic disease. All because of the high level of glucose they release in the urine, which serves as a food source for this microorganism.
Why is it important to take care of the disease?
Care is needed to avoid an expansion of the fungus throughout the body. That’s because it can start out limited to the intimate region, but, with time and the weakening of the body, turn into a generalized nuisance in the skin. This will certainly bring damage to your routine activities, in addition to impacting your self-esteem.
Another important point is to cure the infection so that it does not continue to make it difficult for you to urinate and does not interfere with your sex life. After all, it can be transmissible if you have more intimate and prolonged contact with another person, without protection.
However, this will not necessarily trigger the contamination of the other — everything will depend, as we have already pointed out, on the immune system and the bacterial flora of each individual.
How is male candidiasis treated?
First, you need to have the right diagnosis. Therefore, you should consult with a medical clinician or urologist to assess the area. The professional will also be able to survey data with you about hygiene, sexual relations and history of illnesses (such as diabetes).
All this is important not only to understand what led to the development of the infection, but also to understand if it is not, in fact, a reinfection. After all, there are cases when the symptoms are not so obvious and uncomfortable, and a person, for various reasons, does not notice any sudden changes in his own body.
There is also the possibility that the fungus has concentrated in another area of ​​the body – something totally possible to happen, as we explained in the first topic.
About the treatment, the doctor will provide guidance on which medication is the most suitable, the right way to use it and the duration of the treatment. Generally, an antifungal is prescribed, precisely to deal with the agent causing the infection.
During treatment, it is important that you follow the recommendations and do not self-medicate or follow third-party advice on other products — as is the case with supposedly miraculous cosmetics.
One should not put one’s health at risk, even more so in the intimate region, which is more sensitive. The doctor is the only trained professional to help remedy this type of problem!
As explained, male candidiasis causes discomfort and, without proper treatment, can affect not only your appearance, but your well-being. Therefore, when noticing any symptoms in the body or in the intimate region, seek a doctor to correctly diagnose and treat the case.
Also, don’t let it go unnoticed: carrying out periodic consultations and examinations is essential for man’s health care.
Did you like reading the post? So, check out a special content that we prepared about antibiotics and the importance of following the treatment until the end!
Technical review: Alexandre R. Marra, researcher at the Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein (IIEP) and permanent professor at the Graduate Program in Health Sciences at the Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein (FICSAE).
Source: vidasaudavel.einstein.br
