Why the Itchy Penis? Could Be Thrush

Things are going along fine for a guy and then suddenly - WHAM! - an insistent itchy penis rears its ugly head. He tries ignoring it, but when an itchy penis demands attention, there’s little choice but to give in and scratch - and hope that that beautiful woman at the end of the bar doesn’t notice his surreptitious hand movements. At this point the guy is asking why he hasn’t been paying closer attention to his penis health. And maybe he should have; sometimes an itchy penis occurs for a definite penis health issue, and often it is the condition commonly called thrush.

A yeasty situation
 
Most men have heard of thrush, but few know what it is - other than a real nuisance. In fact, thrush is a yeast infection (known medically as candidiasis). Finding this out often surprises a man. Yeast infections are well known as a "woman’s problem," so many dudes are shocked to find out that their manhood has become a breeding ground for yeast.

Candida, the yeast fungus that causes thrush, is actually very common. All our bodies contain some candida, which in the proper amounts and proper locations is actually beneficial. But the penis is not one of the places where it is welcome. And when it does situate itself there and starts to spread out, it causes a rash-like situation which, in addition to looking kind of uninviting, is an itch-fest just waiting to happen.

And, fair warning: thrush doesn’t always restrict itself to the penis. It can pop up elsewhere on the body, including in the mouth and on the tongue.

Sharing
 
Often, thrush pops up and creates an itchy penis situation because it was passed on from a partner. But, considering the prevalence of female yeast infections, this doesn’t happen as often as would be expected. Exactly why is not known, but guys can be thankful for this fact, or they would be thrush-filled far more often.

So if it’s not coming from a partner, where is it coming from? Primary culprits for causing thrush include:

- Sloppy hygiene. Sometimes a guy has no one but himself to blame for his thrush. A fungus like candida is always shopping around for a moist, warm spot to call home - and if it’s a little dirty, so much the better. So guys who don’t clean the penis sufficiently or who allow the basement to get too sweaty and aromatic are setting up a "for rent" sign that candida just can’t ignore.

- Antibiotics. They’re great for fighting many kinds of stubborn infections, but antibiotics can sometimes set the stage of a thrush invasion. The drugs kill off both harmful and helpful bacteria - and the presence of the helpful bacteria is a deterrent to the thrush fungus.

- Diabetes. Men with diabetes are more likely to attract thrush than men without. Essentially, this is because the urine of a diabetic man tends to be more "sugary." When he urinates, droplets left on the penis dry and leave behind the sugar - and the candida fungus has a sweet tooth. (Seriously, the sugar does provide sustenance to the fungus.)

- Immune system problem. A compromised immune system, whether chronic or acute, negatively impacts the body’s ability to keep candida under control. Unchecked, it multiplies and reaches the point where it becomes a nuisance.

Men whose itchy penis is due to thrush need to keep their members good and clean. Regularly applying a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) after washing can help. Keeping the penis skin healthy can also discourage thrush from establishing a beachhead, so find a crème with both a high-end emollient (think Shea butter) and an effective hydrator (think vitamin E), which together can keep the skin from developing cracks and patches. The crème should also include vitamin A, the anti-bacterial properties of which can also make the penis more inhospitable to the fungus.

Stopping That Penis Itch: When Thrush is Not Just a Female Problem

Men and women often divide themselves into two camps, especially when it comes to health. Some conditions are simply considered ‘a female problem’ while others are seen as ‘a male problem.’ This is quite true when it comes to thrush, also known as yeast infections. Thrush is unfortunately so common for women that many pharmaceutical companies do booming business in over-the-counter treatments.

But here’s a surprise: Thrush can affect men as well. In fact, men can wind up with all the same symptoms that women suffer from, including the discharge, redness and itching. In most cases, excellent penis care can help ensure that thrush isn’t a common problem; however, sometimes there are reasons a man gets a yeast infection that has nothing to do with hygiene.

Why does thrush happen?
The reasons for thrush might surprise you. The most common way a man contracts thrush is through intimate activity with someone who already has the condition. Since these infections can be passed back and forth between partners, it is a good idea for both partners to be treated. Keep in mind that someone can have an overgrowth of Candida - the yeast fungus that leads to thrush infections - and not yet show symptoms.

Men might also develop thrush without any sexual activity at all. This spontaneous overgrowth of yeast is usually caused by something in the body going wrong. The most common problem often turns out to be uncontrolled diabetes, as high blood sugar creates the right environment for an overgrowth of fungus. A man who suddenly has a yeast infection for no apparent reason definitely needs to be checked out by the doctor.

There are a few other surprising reasons why thrush might suddenly grow on the penis. Not drying the genital area thoroughly after bathing leaves a great deal of moisture in a covered and dark area, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Even a day-to-day diet of wheat-based products, including beer, and high-sugar foods can make a person more susceptible to Candida overgrowth.

A failing immune system can lead to thrush. Ironically enough, antibiotics can also cause the problem. That’s because antibiotics don’t discriminate between the various maladies they treat and the good bacteria in the body - both wind up being destroyed. This means that the good bacteria that prevents and overgrowth of Candida is no longer there, and the result is thrush.

Finally, improper hygiene might be a culprit. Any penis skin infection can be caused by inadequate cleaning, and penis itch is a very common issue for men who skip even one shower. Always take care to cleanse the genital area very well, but avoid using harsh soaps or abrasives to do so, as those can irritate the skin and make it more hospitable to thrush development.

What to do about thrush
Men who are dealing with the penis itch and annoyance of thrush have a few good options available. A yeast infection definitely must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor, so any penis itch that doesn’t go away, especially if it is accompanied by redness and discharge, should be checked out. Abstain from intimate activities with a partner until the thrush is completely gone.

In the future, take care to stay scrupulously clean, and always use a high-quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) after showering. A good penis crème will include numerous vitamins that are known for skin-soothing and healing, as well as a powerful emollient, such as Shea butter, to keep skin supple and smooth. Keep in mind that these crèmes cannot be used to treat thrush, but they are definitely a first-line tool against dealing with the annoying penis itch of thrush in the future.

Itchy Penis Prevention: Keeping Thrush at Bay

An itchy penis can strike a guy at any time and any place - and can be caused by any number of things. One of the more irritating causes is commonly called thrush - a yeast infection, the proper name of which is candidiasis. Practicing proper penis care can help decrease the chance of infection, which is certainly advisable.

Thrush
Yeast infections are much more common in women than in men, but men sometimes do acquire them as well. And while thrush often occurs on the penis and surrounding areas and can be transmitted from one partner to another, it is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection. That's essentially because there are other ways for men to contract candidiasis.

It also isn't always found on the genitals. Thrush can show up in other places, including the mouth.

Causes
Candidiasis is caused by a yeast fungus called candida. This is a commonly-occurring fungus that all bodies have. It's only when the quantity of the fungus gets out of hand that it causes an itchy penis or other issues.
Thrush can be passed on from one partner to the other through sexual contact, although this doesn't happen as often as might be expected. Other common causes of thrush include:

- Use of antibiotics. Antibiotics help to keep infection under control by killing bacteria, but they kill both good and bad bacteria. When the good bacteria are decreased, candida may take advantage of the opportunity to thrive and grow.

- Immune system issues. Similarly, when the immune system is negatively impacted, the conditions become better for candida to gain in numbers.

- Diabetes. High blood sugar helps candida to breed, so uncontrolled diabetes can be a factor.

- Improper hygiene . A penis that is not kept properly washed is much more likely to accommodate thrush. That means both those that are not kept clean as well as those that are cleaned with harsh soaps or cleansers are more susceptible. In the latter case, the improper cleanser causes irritated skin, which is a better environment for fungal infections.

Prevention
There are numerous simple steps that a man can take to make his tool less likely to develop candidiasis. For example:

- Use a condom. When thrush is sexually transmitted, it is usually when a man has been engaging in sex without a condom. The rubber helps to prevent the transfer of yeast to the man's member.

- Watch the blood sugar. Maintaining blood sugar at an appropriate level makes the infection less likely to occur.

- Keep the immune system up. Eating healthily, exercising regularly and getting sufficient sleep can help strengthen the immune system, making one less susceptible to thrush.

- Don't get too rough. Irritated penis skin is a target for thrush. Sometimes guys get a little too rough when masturbating, and that excess friction can cause irritation. Keep the strokes steady and exciting but don't lose all control.

Practice proper hygiene. As mentioned above, a clean tool is less likely to attract thrush and the subsequent itchy penis. Guys should wash their members after having sex, even if they wear a condom, just to be safe. (This is in addition to regular washing, of course.) As mentioned above, it's crucial that the cleanser used is not too harsh and does not contain chemicals or perfumes that are likely to irritate the skin. Don't stop there, however. Keeping the equipment healthy can be accomplished by regular use of a quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Look for one that includes a combination of a high-end emollient (such as Shea butter) and a natural hydrator (vitamin E is good), which can help to smooth and alleviate common skin irritation as well as itchiness. The crème should also contain vitamin B5, which aids in life sustenance and healthy penile cell metabolism. Used regularly, the right crème can do wonders for the itchy penis problem caused by thrush.

Penis Pain and Discharge? It Could be Thrush

Yeast cells are amazing. Without them, there would be no wine, no bread and no beer. In short, they play an important role in the development of some of the things that men find so important. On the other hand, certain types of yeast cells can cause uncomfortable issues. When they run rampant on the skin of the penis, a condition known as thrush can develop. Thankfully, by altering a few penis care habits, men with thrush can almost certainly get better.

What Thrush Feels Like
The yeast cells responsible for thrush live on the surface of the skin all the time. When there are a reasonable number of these organisms in place, they are unlikely to cause pain or discomfort. But when changes in body chemistry trigger an overgrowth of these organisms, a number of really nasty symptoms can take hold, including:

- Inflammation of the head of the penis
- Swelling of the foreskin
- Lumpy, chunky discharge
- Pain during sex
- Discomfort during urination
- Itching
- Dry, cracked skin.

The signs might be mild at first, but if the infection continues, the problem might become impossible to ignore. The foreskin can swell to such a degree that it can't be retracted from the tip of the penis, for example, and the pain during urination could become breathtaking.

Treating Thrush
Since thrush can look like other types of conditions, including certain sexually transmitted diseases, the right diagnosis is vital for men, particularly those who haven't ever struggled with yeast in the past. A trip to the doctor is warranted for anyone struggling with uncomfortable penis symptoms. With a simple swab of the discharge, a medical professional can confirm that yeast is behind the discomfort, and they can recommend the right kind of product to apply to the area.

A doctor might also help men who constantly deal with thrush, as the condition can sometimes crop up due to an underlying health condition. Men who have a weakened immune system due to an infection might be more vulnerable to thrush, for example, as might men who have diabetes. If the problem keeps coming back, over and over again, these men might need to get the rest of their health in order before they begin to attack their penis care woes.

Men who don't have an underlying health problem could be causing thrush by their penis-washing techniques. Scrubbing and scraping at intimate tissues with heavy soaps can remove healthy bacteria and allow yeast cells to take over. Sticking with softer, kinder cleansing techniques is the preferred method for male hygiene.

Similarly, some men get thrush from their sexual partners. Women, for example, tend to struggle with yeast more often than men do, and they can pass on the problem to their partners during unprotected sex. Sometimes, partners pass thrush back and forth, as one person is treated while the other continues to harbor the disease. Treating both partners at the same time could keep this issue from constantly reappearing.

Caring for the skin of the penis could also be a vital thrush-busting technique. Skin that is soft, smooth and well cared for has fewer cracks for yeast to hide in, and it has all of the tools it needs to stop an attack in progress. A penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help. These products support the health of the tissues of a man's vital tool, and their mix of vitamins and supplements ensures that the skin can protect and defend as it should. While these products can't treat a thrush attack in the works, they could provide that little bit of protection that keeps skin safe in the future.