How to Recognize and Treat Yeast Infections in Men
16 Dec
Yeast Infections in Men are rare, but they are not impossible. A yeast infection is caused by a fungus called Candida Albicans. This fungus occurs naturally on our bodies, but it normally does not grow out of control to the point that it causes a yeast infection because we also have “good” bacteria naturally on our bodies as well that help to fight Candida Albicans.
Yeast infections in men are caused the same way that any other yeast infection is caused. When our immune system becomes weakened and we lose our “good” bacteria in our bodies, the yeast can grow uninhibited and result in an infection.
Recognizing Yeast Infections in Men
Since they are not common, it may be difficult for a man to tell if he has a yeast infection. Here are some common symptoms that he may notice:
The biggest clue is a redness or swelling around the tip of the penis that may itch or otherwise be irritated. In severe cases you may also notice white patches on the skin that can be very sensitive. In about 1 in 5 men may also experience a white-ish or grey-ish discharge as well.
What to Do About Your Yeast Infection
Yeast infections in men are no more comfortable than they are in women. Sure they sell some simple treatments and yeast infection creams at the drug store. However, the problem with them is that many of them do not really address the underlying issue with yeast infections–the imbalance of good bacteria to yeast.
There are a few simple things you can do at home to do this.
First, eat yogurt to help replenish your body’s helpful bacteria levels. Yogurt and other foods that contain acidophilus are great for this. These foods contain bacteria cultures that will help to fight off your yeast infection.
You can either eat these by adding them to your diet, or you can apply yogurt directly to the affected area of your body.
It is important though to make sure that the yogurt does not contain any added sugar.
Secondly, you can also add garlic. Garlic has long been known for its anti-fungal properties. If you add a few cloves of garlic to your meals, you can help to eliminate the fungus behind the yeast infection.
Third, drink cranberry juice. Cranberries and their juice are effective at normalizing your body’s pH levels. Under normal circumstances, your body’s natural pH levels create an environment that is difficult for yeast infections to thrive in. By drinking cranberry juice you can improve the natural acidity of your body and flush out the yeast infection.
Four, avoid eating sugars and most carbohydrates while you are healing. Yeast infections feed on sugars and carbohydrates. If you eat these while you are treating yourself, you may end up slowing down the recovery time or even prevent a recovery from happening at all. Adjust your diet for a few weeks by cutting out sugars and carbohydrates like bread and pasta.
Yeast infections in men may be less common, but they are just as frustrating to deal with. The best way to treat them is to fix the problem that is causing the yeast infection in the first place. Restore balance to your body and the infection will likely clear up on its own.
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