Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisComplicationsTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Complications
Treatment
Prevention
Thrush on the penis is a type ofyeast infection, similar to avaginal yeast infection. Also called penilecandidiasis, the condition typically involves the head of thepenis(glans) and the foreskin (prepuce). Symptoms include itching, redness, whitish patches, and bleeding. Antifungal drugs are commonly prescribed to treat the infection.
This article discussesmale yeast infections, their symptoms, and their causes. It also looks at some of the ways penilethrushcan be treated.
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What Are The Symptoms of Thrush on a Penis?
Penile thrush is not uncommon, especially in people who are uncircumcised. When it occurs, it may not cause any symptoms (asymptomatic) or it may cause mild symptoms (such as itching) that are easily dismissed.
If penile thrush does cause symptoms, they most commonly affect the head and foreskin of the penis.These symptoms might include:
What Causes Thrush on a Penis?
The actual incidence of penile thrush is unknown, in part because many people do not seek treatment until their symptoms are severe. However, the condition is thought to be common.
Penile candidiasis is not asexually transmitted infection(STI). However, it can be spread to the penis through sexual contact, including oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse.
What Is Thrush?Thrush is the term commonly used to describe an infection involving a form of yeast calledCandida albicans,a fungus found throughout the body in healthy people, including in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, genitals, and skin. The immune system can usually keep the fungusin check, but when the conditions are right, the fungus can grow rapidly and establish an infection called candidiasis.
What Is Thrush?
Thrush is the term commonly used to describe an infection involving a form of yeast calledCandida albicans,a fungus found throughout the body in healthy people, including in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, genitals, and skin. The immune system can usually keep the fungusin check, but when the conditions are right, the fungus can grow rapidly and establish an infection called candidiasis.
Are There Risk Factors?
There are several risk factors for penile thrush, including:
Is Thrush an STI?Penile candidiasis is not classified as asexually transmitted disease(STD), but the fungus can be spread to the penis through sexual contact, including oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse.
Is Thrush an STI?
Penile candidiasis is not classified as asexually transmitted disease(STD), but the fungus can be spread to the penis through sexual contact, including oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse.
Is Oral Sex Safe If You Have Thrush?
How Is Thrush on a Penis Diagnosed?
Are There Complications from Thrush on a Penis?
Penile thrush will often resolve on its own with little or no treatment. However, sometimes the infection can lead to severe complications that require aggressive medical intervention.
Balanitis
Balanitis has many of the same features as penile thrush, but it tends to be more severe, often causing significant swelling and pain. The swelling can make it harder to pull back the foreskin.
Getting Rid of a Yeast Infection on Your Skin
Invasive and Systemic Candidiasis
Invasive candidiasis is a serious condition that can develop in the esophagus and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract as well as the lungs, skin, and lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).
IfCandidaenters the bloodstream, it can causesystemic diseaseand affect multiple organ systems. The condition, referred to as candidemia, most commonly affects the liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, and brain.
How Is Thrush on a Penis Treated?
Most cases of penile thrush are not severe, but they can cause significant discomfort and stress. If the infection is mild, home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medications often help symptoms get better on their own. More serious infections may require medical treatment.
What Can Happen If You Leave a Yeast Infection Untreated?
Home Remedies
Some of the common home remedies for thrush are:
Is Candida Overgrowth Causing Your IBS Symptoms?
Over-the-Counter Drugs
Mild cases of penile thrush often respond to many of the same OTC antifungals that are used to treatathlete’s footor vaginal yeast infections. Most of these products are applied twice daily, and the duration of treatment is generally no more than seven days.
There are several OTC antifungals that can be used to treat penile thrush:
Most antifungal creams are well tolerated, with few, if any, side effects. In rare cases, a topical antifungal may cause a hypersensitive skin reaction.
Do not exceed the recommended dose of an OTC antifungal cream or ointment. If the infection lasts for more than seven days, see your healthcare provider.
The Best Over-The-Counter Yeast Infection Medicines for Fast Relief
Prescriptions
For severe or persistent infections, includingCandidabalanitis, stronger topical antifungals might be prescribed. These treatments can include 2% ketoconazole cream (sold under the brand name Nizoral and others), 1% econazole cream, and nystatin cream or ointment.
A combination of a topical antifungal and an oral antifungal may be prescribed if the case is severe or resistant to conservative therapies.
Oral antifungal options include:
In some cases, only a single oral dose of the drug is needed to resolve a localized infection.
People with recurrent balanitis may benefit fromcircumcision. Studies have shown that the incidence of balanitis in circumcised people is 68% lower than in uncircumcised people.
In cases of invasive candidiasis and candidemia, high-dose intravenous antifungals for several weeks might be needed. The treatment typically includes the antifungals Cancidas (caspofungin), Eraxis (anidulafungin), Mycamine (micafungin), or Rezzayo (rezafungin) as first-line therapy. Diflucan and amphotericin B (reserved for only severe fungal infections) might also be prescribed.
How Is Thrush on a Penis Prevented?
Practicing good hygiene can also help ward off penile thrush. If your penis is uncircumcised, make sure you clean under the foreskin with soap and warm water daily, and completely dry the area before pulling the foreskin back over the penis.
Improved hygiene, good nutrition, and ideally thecessation of smokingcan also reduce the risk of infections.
Summary
Penile thrush happens when the fungusCandida albicansgrows quickly and triggers an infection. People with uncircumcised penises are more likely to develop penile thrush. Symptoms affect the head and foreskin of the penis and typically involve reddened skin, itchiness, burning, and a blotchy rash.
While mild cases can be treated with over-the-counter drugs, more severe infections may require prescription medication or, if complications arise, intravenous antifungals.
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