A Few Facts About Candida In Men
Candida in men is not quite so well known a condition as is Candida in women. In women, Candida often appears in the vagina, where it is commonly referred to as a "yeast infection", which it is. Candida is a fungus, normally found in the body to some extent, but usually kept in check by the immune system. Once in a while though, the yeast population may get out of hand. When this occurs, the yeast usually affects a warm, moist part of the body, the vagina in women, and the bowels or the mouth and throat of both men and women. One instance of Candida in men, which is unique to men is Candida in the crotch or in the penis.
A Disease Of Many Names - Candida is contagious in that it can be spread by either the mouth, such as by kissing, or drinking from someone else's glass, or through sex. The disease is usually easily treatable and generally curable, though in some cases the cure can almost be worse than the disease itself. Candida goes by several names. When the vagina is involved, in the female, it is generally called a yeast infection, when the mouth or throat are infected Candida is often called thrush, and one type of Candida in men is often referred to as jock itch, although the penis as well as the testicles can be affected. In babies, who often experience the disorder more or less temporarily, Candida is often a cause of, and referred to, as diaper rash. Even the feet, especially the area between the toes, are sometimes affected, most commonly in men, where it is commonly known as athlete's foot. Although Candida between the toes is not strictly a male issue, men are generally more susceptible, in that men perspire more frequently and more heavily in the feet than do women.
Treatment - There are several drugs available to treat Candida in men, especially when the mouth or tongue are involved. Clotrinmazole and Famvir are oral medications, while Nystatin falls more in the category of a mouthwash. Oral medications and antibiotics can treat Candida in the bowels as well as in the mouth, while powders are often applied externally to treat Candida in the crotch area or the feet.
As noted above, Candida is usually present to some extent in both men and women, but seldom presents a problem. When a problem does occur, it is often tied to a weakened immune system, one which can no longer keep the fungus in check. This weakening of the immune system can sometimes be traced to the use of steroids or antibiotics.
Candida Die Off - Sometimes the worst part of having Candida lies in the treatment. An antibiotic is normally used to kill off the Candida fungi. As the fungi die off, they decompose, and as they decompose they give off toxins which can cause inflammation and itching. The itching will of course be most annoying in the crotch area and between the toes, while inflammation can be particularly unpleasant in the mouth or bowels. Because of this, treatment for Candida in men is sometimes done in stages, killing off the fungi at a measured pace, rather than trying to do it all at once.
As common as Candida may be, it's by no means a household word. We don't usually think or a coated tongue, athlete's foot, jock itch, or a yeast infection in women, as being essentially one and the same thing. Although treatment is usually readily available, prevention is even better. A combination of good hygiene and a lifestyle that keeps the immune system in good order will go a long ways in keeping the Candida fungus from gaining a foothold in places we'd rather not allow it to be.