Such an unpleasant disease as thrush is subject to not only a weaker sex. Representatives of a strong half of humanity can also face an inflammatory process that causes a lot of inconvenience. And to be more precise, in men there is an increase in the number of fungi belonging to the Candida family.
Description
Such inflammation can develop due to many diverse reasons, not only of an internal nature, but also due to external conditions. And in order to timely identify the pathology and begin its treatment, it is advisable to know the signs of candidal balanoposthitis in men. That's what doctors call an analogue of thrush in the stronger sex.
Candidiasis balanoposthitis is a pathological condition of the genitourinary system, which affects men of any age. The causative agent of this disease is the well-known candida fungus, in whose honor the disease is named. These bacteria are able to penetrate the mucous membranes and skin, where they begin to multiply actively. Women are also susceptible to this disease - they can infect men and vice versa.
Features
In fact, Candida bacteria are constantly present in the body of every person, they belong to the category of opportunistic microbes. And this means that if their number does not exceed permissible norms, then the "owner" does not even guess about their existence. But when conditions favorable for the propagation of microbes arise, the protective properties of the immune system decrease, and the inflammatory process begins.
It is impossible to resort to independent treatment of this pathology in any case. After all, the use of illiterate prescribed medications can lead to serious deterioration in the general condition and complications of the disease.
Causes of the disease
Candidiasis balanoposthitis in men is considered a fairly common disease. The prerequisites for the development of fungal pathology can be a huge number:
- obesity and diabetes - diseases that weaken the immune system, due to which, in fact, lead to infection;
- trauma to the epithelium of the penis - an open wound becomes an excellent place for the growth of bacteria;
- long-term use of antibiotics, cytotoxic drugs and hormonal drugs - these drugs in large quantities negatively affect the general condition of the body, provoking the occurrence of candidal balaposthitis;
- phimosis - a narrowing of the foreskin, as a result of which the head does not come out of the skin membrane;
- regular stress;
- impaired functioning of the thymus gland - due to the low activity of the organ, too few lymphocytes are produced, as a result of which the immune system weakens;
- neglect of basic rules of personal hygiene;
- refusal to use contraceptives - microbes are transmitted from the carrier in any case, but pathology develops only if there are favorable conditions for them.
Symptomatology
Candidiasis balanoposthitis - the pathology is quite insidious and unpleasant. If treatment is not started in time, the disease is likely to become more complicated and cause great harm to the male body. That is why, when the initial symptoms of candida balanoposthitis occur, you should immediately consult a specialist.
The main signs of pathology:
- redness of the head of the penis often occurs after taking alcohol, which is why men usually do not attach importance to this symptom;
- burning, severe itching and unpleasant odor in the groin;
- swelling or swelling of the foreskin;
- scattering of red spots on the head, as a rule, occurs only a few hours or days after infection;
- microcracks or peeling of the shell of the inner leaf of the foreskin.
If you do not start treatment of candida balanoposthitis on time, then after a certain period the patient's condition will noticeably worsen. Gradually, other symptoms will arise:
- the appearance of erosion and sores on the surface of the genital organs;
- the occurrence of sites with dead epithelium;
- enlarged lymph nodes in the groin;
- pain during urination, as well as specific discharge after them.
The presence of such an insidious disease can be determined using a photo of candidal balanoposthitis, which will help to understand the external symptoms of the disease.
Varieties of pathology
Doctors divide the disease into two forms:
- chronic candidiasis balanoposthitis is characterized by constant itching, discomfort, head moisture, white bloom, redness of the foreskin, swelling, during sexual intercourse unpleasant sensations intensify;
- acute disease is characterized by organ redness, unbearable itching and fever.
In addition, pathology can occur in a simple or complicated form:
- Mild candidal banoposthitis. With this form of pathology, therapy takes no more than a week. In the absence of proper treatment, the patient gradually develops erosive balanoposthitis. It is characterized by more severe symptoms. Among the signs of such a disease, experts distinguish: purulent discharge from the urethra, redness of the head, the appearance of red spots, burning and itching during contact with clothes, as well as swelling and wrinkling of the skin of the organ.
- Erosive form of pathology. This species is characterized by the occurrence of numerous erosions on the head and foreskin of the genital organ. First of all, on one of the skin areas there is a small growth from the dead epithelium. After a few days, the film of this formation bursts, and a painful spot remains in its place. Although after wound healing, scars do not remain.
- Gangrenous variety of balanoposthitis. The most severe stage of the disease. In addition to general injuries, the patient also suffers signs of intoxication: malaise, fever, weakness. On the genitals are bleeding and purulent ulcers, after which scars may remain.
Diagnostics
First of all, the doctor interviews the patient and examines him. Then the patient is given a referral for research.
- General blood test. It is necessary to determine the number of leukocytes and red blood cells. If the former are larger, and the density of the compounds of the latter is lowered, this indicates inflammatory processes in the body.
- Scraping from the urethra (necessary to exclude syphilis).
- General urine analysis (needed to determine the number of white blood cells).
- Polymerase chain test. Detects certain types of bacteria.
- Bacteriological examination of urine. Helps identify the cause of the pathology.
If the patient has a regular sexual partner, he should also undergo examination and examination.
We treat candidal balanoposthitis
It is extremely important not to ignore the pathology, but to start the diagnosis and the choice of therapy in time. Otherwise, the patient runs the risk of complications or chronic candidal balanoposthitis. In men, this disease can cause numerous sexual disorders. In addition, this infection progresses very quickly and can soon spread to other organs.
But the treatment of candidal balanoposthitis in men should be qualified - only under the supervision of a specialist. Only a physician is able to correctly diagnose and select the appropriate treatment regimen.
Usually, the doctor prescribes local and comprehensive treatment. However, in some situations it is impossible to do without surgical intervention.
Local therapy
It is recommended that the damaged organ be treated with certain medications. For effective therapy, the patient should wash the penis daily, eliminating cheesy discharge.
A clean organ must be lubricated with an antifungal cream. Doctors usually recommend using Clotrimazole, Lamisil, Flucanazole, Pimafucin. Then it is necessary to apply a powder containing dermatol, xeroform, streptocide.
Special bathtubs help to achieve a good result. They can be made on the basis of potassium permanganate, dioxidine, rivanol.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe antimycotic drugs to a patient diagnosed with candida balanoposthitis, which should be taken orally for two weeks.
If you follow all the doctor's recommendations with accuracy, then the symptoms of the disease can completely disappear in a week.
A complex approach
In case of untimely diagnosis, this type of treatment is prescribed to the patient. In this case, the patient processes the injured organ in the same way. But in addition to this, he additionally takes medications.
- Preparations. To get rid of the infection, men are prescribed Fluconazole tablets, which must be taken twice a day. This drug allows you to quickly destroy pathogenic fungi. If the patient has a severe stage of pathology, the doctor prescribes antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action.
- Diet. A special diet helps to make treatment more effective. The patient is advised to refuse fatty, sweet, spicy, pickled dishes, pastries and spirits. In order to strengthen immunity, men are prescribed vitamin complexes and immunostimulants.
- Auxiliary stage. In addition, for the period of therapy, it is advisable for the patient to abandon intimacy so as not to damage even more the skin of the genital organ and not transmit the disease to the partner. The duration of treatment is determined by the stage of pathology and the individual characteristics of the body. As a rule, balanoposthitis can be eliminated in a few weeks. If the patient has a regular partner, he should also undergo comprehensive treatment.
Surgical intervention
Experts resort to this technique extremely rarely. The operation is prescribed to the patient if the disease has passed to the gangrese stage or has passed into a chronic form. During such manipulation, a dissection of the head of the penis is carried out.
After surgery, the patient should undergo drug therapy using antibacterial and antifungal drugs.
Prevention
Of course, candidal balanoposthitis in men is much easier to prevent than to cure. To do this, you must follow a few simple rules.
- Refusal of sweets. Foods containing large amounts of sugar lead to the development of favorable conditions for the spread of fungal infections.
- Abstinence from wearing synthetic underwear.
- Regular intake of garlic, lingonberries, yogurt, citrus juice, pepper. These foods are best consumed daily.
- Using a barrier method of contraception.
- Refusal of self-medication.
- Timely contact a specialist.
- Abstinence from casual sexual intercourse.
- Permanent personal hygiene.
- Avoidance of severe stress.
- Systematic examinations.
By following these simple rules, a man can avoid the occurrence of such an unpleasant disease.