Candida is a very spread yeast infection mostly known as a female issue. But this is not entirely true because very frequent men can develop such an infection. There is a similarity between men and women: frequently the yeast infection affects the reproductive system. So, in men appears mostly in the groin area.
There are some men that do this yeast infection more frequent then others. Men with diabetes are such kind. Why? Because Candida thrives on the high sugar content found in the blood stream of such a man. Another thing that Candida loves, beside sugar, is warm, sweaty, and irritated skin. Such a prolific environment is found to the uncircumcised men. So, they represent another category frequently affected by Candida. The yeast infection can also appear as a result of an allergic reaction to various chemicals that are found in the cosmetic products: shower gels, perfumes, dyes, soaps.
Let’s see some of the symptoms that are produced by the yeast infection to men:
At inspection, often, the doctor can see small white spots on the penis. This spots are most frequently not taken seriously by the patient. Also, frequently redness of the head of the penis, scrotum, and foreskin appear. In some cases, the foreskin even swells and cracks due to the yeast allergy Most of the time the patient goes to the doctor because of what they feel. In this case a man can fell burning sensations during intercourse, transient rashes and in some cases soreness and itching
In these conditions a question can be raised: is Candida a sexually transmitted disease (STD.)? At first the answer can be very simple: YES – because many people already have a small amount of it in their bodies and of course because of the frequent location of the fungus – the genital area. There are also serious facts against this idea: yeast infection is most common to men how haven’t started their sexual lives. This statistic fact does nothing more than to stimulate this debate.
There are also some chemical substances that can stimulate the sexual transmission of the yeast infection. Such an example is nonoxynol-9 – a substance that is added on condoms as lubricant – and it’s used mostly by a man who has a male sexual partner.
As treatment for Candida infection – especially for Balanitis - on the market, there are anti-fungal cream and medications. Also natural treatment is available. It must be known however, that Candida can’t be cured only with medical treatment. Why? Because, beside the yeast infection, we must also cure the CAUSE that made this infection possible: we must be aware of the fact that Candida loves moist and dark environments so, clothing which allows for good body ventilation is recommended. Also, on the entire period of the treatment, sexual activity must be avoided. Also hygiene is very important, especially in the genital area. After swimming in a pool a shower is recommended and also the swimming suite must be changed immediately so that the yeast infection can’t spread in to the body. Very useful is taking a bath in to a warm sitz baths infused with several drops of Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia). If not a plain soap is very important to use and very helpful to get rid of the infection.
Diet is very important in the heeling period. Because Candida loves sugar, such element must be avoided in this period. Also the immune system must be protected and stimulated. This can be done with the help of raw garlic. It has a very powerful heeling property. But a medical recommendation is necessary at first because of the secondary effects of the raw garlic – it has powerful heating properties and it may also cause indigestion. So it must be taken with precaution and in any way not abusive. There is also a product that helps the urinary tract: unsweetened cranberry juice, diluted with water - it helps the urinary tract of the penis to stay clean and also the external skin to stay healthy.
There are also some other products that must be avoided beside sugar: mushrooms, caffeine, milk and bread.