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.
