Fungus on the penis - a rather frequent disease, the cause of which is not always an infection. Very often the cause of the disease is reduced immunity, as fungi of the genus Candida, many people are a natural part of the pathogenic microflora.

Causes of Candida balanoposthitis

Candida balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans penis and the inner layer of the foreskin) or thrush develops in penetrating the outer layers of the skin yeast fungi genus Candida. There are several types of fungi, often fungal disease is caused by Candida albicans. But today the growing number of cases of yeast infection caused by fungi other species of the genus Candida, they are called Candida nonalbicans - mainly is Candida glabrata. Often Candida nonalbicans cause candida balanoposthitis in men with diabetes Diabetes .

Candida nonalbicans peculiarity is that in contrast to Candida albicans, they do not form the characteristic pseudomycelium (fungal threads), so they are difficult to identify by light microscopy. Furthermore, Candida glabrata often exhibit stability against major antifungal.

The fungi of the genus Candida can live on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes from birth, but the disease they cause only under certain conditions, that is, with a decrease in immunity.

But this does not rule out infection and candidiasis men sexually by a woman suffering from thrush or a carrier which is a fungal infection. This way men shall prevail. In addition, perhaps getting a fungal infection of the gastrointestinal intestinal candidiasis.

What diseases contribute to the development of Candida balanoposthitis

This is facilitated by any diseases that cause low immunity. First of all - it is a variety of metabolic and endocrine diseases (diabetes, decreased thyroid function, obesity, disruption of the adrenal, various hormonal disorders Hormonal disorders: causes and the most frequent disease   from the genitals, as well as immunodeficiencies, including HIV infection).

In addition, it balanoposthitis candidiasis often develops in long flowing common infectious and inflammatory diseases (eg, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis), genital infections (for example, long flowing hidden gonorrhea), malignant tumors, leukemia.

Often balanoposthitis candidiasis develops in the treatment of other diseases, which employ a method of treatment and medications that reduce immunity. This may be chemotherapy and radiation therapy used to treat cancer patients, antibiotics, glucocorticoid hormones.

The main symptoms

When Candida balanoposthitis on the skin of the glans penis and the inner layer of the foreskin first appear redness and swelling, which are accompanied by severe burning and itching. Sometimes, instead of the general redness appears sharply demarcated from the rest of the skin red spots.

Then local redness appear white cheesy plaque, which can be easily removed. After some time, these attacks proliferate, forming a solid coating or film that is hard to remove, and then withdrawing them formed ulcers and erosions. Over time, the head of the penis may be covered with cracks and scuffed, an unpleasant sour smell. Occasionally, if the underlying disease is not treated, which led to the development of Candida balanoposthitis, for it takes a recurrent nature (at least four recurrences per year).

Complication balanoposthitis may damage the urethra, resulting in frequent painful urination appear.

Diagnosis and treatment

The fungus Candida albicans is easy to see under the microscope, as they form the characteristic pseudomycelium (thread formed from the stretched cells). Candida nonalbicans pseudomycelium not form, so they are difficult to detect by microscopy. To identify Candida nonalbicans, often conducted research biomaterial by PCR (polymerase chain reaction), with the presence of characteristic clinical signs of candidosis balanoposthitis PCR Candida albicans is negative. Seeding is also carried out on nutrient medium biomaterial to identify infectious agents (calculated their number) and their susceptibility to antifungal agents.

Furthermore, immunostimulants are assigned and untreated chronic disease that may lead to reduced immunity.

Identification of fungi of the genus Candida discharge of male genitalia with no signs of candidiasis is not a reason for treatment.

Galina Romanenko

Related Articles

The rash on the penis - or the rate of disease?

Itching head of the penis - the most common reason

Redness of the head of the penis - the most common cause of treatment to the dermatologist

Spots on the head of the penis - the doctor diagnosed supply