Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTreatmentPreventionWhen to See a ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
When to See a Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
This article describes the signs and symptoms of penile thrush and how to get rid of a male yeast infection fast. It also explains how to reduce your risk of penile thrush and when it is time to see a healthcare provider.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Is Penile Candidiasis?
On occasion, however, the fungus can overgrow if the immune system is suppressed or the natural balance of microorganisms on the skin (particularly under the foreskin) is disrupted.
Some people with penile candidiasis have no symptoms. Those that do may experience:
When balanitis in uncircumcised men is severe, it can lead to the inability to retract the foreskin (phimosis) or the inability to return the foreskin to its normal position (paraphimosis). Paraphimosis is a medical emergency.
Can a Male Yeast Infection Cause Skin Peeling?
Treatment of Male Yeast Infections
Penile yeast infections are commonly treated with topical antifungals. These are medicated creams or ointments that you apply to the skin of the penis to kill the fungus. Some are available over the counter while others need a prescription.
Among the topical antifungals your doctor may recommend are:
These medications are applied to the affected skin and can usually resolve an infection within seven to 21 days.
If these topical antifungals fail to provide relief or your immune system iscompromised, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal like Diflucan (fluconazole) for seven to 14 days.
To protect others and give your body a chance to heal, avoid sex until the infection is fully resolved. Having sex with a penile yeast infection may not onlytransmit the fungus to the vaginabut to the anus as well.
Prevention of Male Yeast Infections
Obesityis linked to an increased risk of yeast infections in men.Maintaining a healthy weight is one way to reduce the risk.
Diabetes is linked to penile yeast infection.Uncontrolled blood sugar levels are thought to contribute to the overgrowth of yeast. Preventing diabetes and maintaining good blood sugar control if you have diabetes may help reduce the risk of a penile yeast infection.
Using condoms during sex may help prevent penile yeast infection.
Proper hygiene can also help.This includes washing the penis and foreskin thoroughly with warm water and drying the area thoroughly. Avoid irritating soaps, deodorizers, or perfumed lotions.
Wear breathable underwear to keep the penis and groin dry.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It helps to see a doctor if the symptoms are severe or unusual. If the problem is related to a tight foreskin,circumcisionmay be recommended.
If you decide to self treat and OTC treatments don’t work, or the yeast infection recurs, it’s important to see a doctor for an evaluation.
There may be an underlying cause for the infection, including undiagnosed diabetes, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), HIV, or penile cancer.
Summary
Penile yeast infections are usually treated with topical antifungals, though severe cases may require an oral antifungal. Good hygiene, weight loss, and the consistent use of condoms can help reduce your risk of penile thrush.
What to Know About Anal Yeast Infections
Frequently Asked QuestionsSymptoms of amale yeast infection, also known as penile candidiasis, include:Redness and swelling of the penis head or foreskinItching or burning sensationsA soft, whitish, cheesy substance under the foreskin and folds of skinDifficulty pulling the foreskin over the head of the penisPain with urination or sexMale yeast infections often go away on their own once the underlying cause is resolved. But, severe cases can sometimes spread to the scrotum, inner thighs, and buttocks ifleft untreated. That’s why it’s best not to ignore a yeast infection. Your healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counter topical treatment to treat the infection.
Symptoms of amale yeast infection, also known as penile candidiasis, include:Redness and swelling of the penis head or foreskinItching or burning sensationsA soft, whitish, cheesy substance under the foreskin and folds of skinDifficulty pulling the foreskin over the head of the penisPain with urination or sex
Symptoms of amale yeast infection, also known as penile candidiasis, include:
Male yeast infections often go away on their own once the underlying cause is resolved. But, severe cases can sometimes spread to the scrotum, inner thighs, and buttocks ifleft untreated. That’s why it’s best not to ignore a yeast infection. Your healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counter topical treatment to treat the infection.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UPMC Health Beat.Yeast infections in men.Talapko J, Meštrović T, Škrlec I.Growing importance of urogenital candidiasis in individuals with diabetes: A narrative review.World J Diabetes. 2022;13(10):809-821. doi:10.4239/wjd.v13.i10.809Morris B, Krieger JN.Balanitis and related inflammatory conditions affecting the penis. In: Bjerklund Johansen TE, Wagenlehner FME, Matsumoto T, Cho YH, Krieger JN, Shoskes D, Naber KG, editors.Urogenital Infections and Inflammations. Duesseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. doi:10.5680/lhuii000027
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UPMC Health Beat.Yeast infections in men.Talapko J, Meštrović T, Škrlec I.Growing importance of urogenital candidiasis in individuals with diabetes: A narrative review.World J Diabetes. 2022;13(10):809-821. doi:10.4239/wjd.v13.i10.809Morris B, Krieger JN.Balanitis and related inflammatory conditions affecting the penis. In: Bjerklund Johansen TE, Wagenlehner FME, Matsumoto T, Cho YH, Krieger JN, Shoskes D, Naber KG, editors.Urogenital Infections and Inflammations. Duesseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. doi:10.5680/lhuii000027
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UPMC Health Beat.Yeast infections in men.Talapko J, Meštrović T, Škrlec I.Growing importance of urogenital candidiasis in individuals with diabetes: A narrative review.World J Diabetes. 2022;13(10):809-821. doi:10.4239/wjd.v13.i10.809Morris B, Krieger JN.Balanitis and related inflammatory conditions affecting the penis. In: Bjerklund Johansen TE, Wagenlehner FME, Matsumoto T, Cho YH, Krieger JN, Shoskes D, Naber KG, editors.Urogenital Infections and Inflammations. Duesseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. doi:10.5680/lhuii000027
UPMC Health Beat.Yeast infections in men.
Talapko J, Meštrović T, Škrlec I.Growing importance of urogenital candidiasis in individuals with diabetes: A narrative review.World J Diabetes. 2022;13(10):809-821. doi:10.4239/wjd.v13.i10.809
Morris B, Krieger JN.Balanitis and related inflammatory conditions affecting the penis. In: Bjerklund Johansen TE, Wagenlehner FME, Matsumoto T, Cho YH, Krieger JN, Shoskes D, Naber KG, editors.Urogenital Infections and Inflammations. Duesseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. doi:10.5680/lhuii000027
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