Candida and thrush

What is candida and thrush?

Candida is a fungal yeast that can cause a skin infection commonly known as thrush, though many people have candida on their skin without it causing any problems at all.

It's common for women to have some candida in and around the vagina without knowing it's there. If conditions in the vagina change, because of hormonal changes at different times in the menstrual cycle or through general changes in immunity, then the yeast can multiply very quickly and cause symptoms.

Men can also get candida skin infections, especially in the groin area if it constantly gets very hot and sweaty.

Symptoms

Symptoms of vaginal thrush include itching, soreness and a vaginal discharge (often described as a cottage cheese-like white/yellow discharge) although some women still remain unaware they have a problem despite a heavy growth of candida.

Candida infections of the skin of the penis, known as balanitis, causes redness and discomfort. Candida skin infections elsewhere such as in the groins or other skin folds, also causes a sore red rash.

There's another common candida-based problem, too. This is a sensitivity, or type of allergy, to the yeast.

What usually happens is that the man's partner is carrying candida in her vagina without knowing it. When they make love, he almost immediately develops a reaction to the candida, which can cause a red, hot, dry, itchy and spotty reaction on the skin of his penis.

Treatment and recovery

Candida infections usually clear up quickly with antifungal treatments including creams and pessaries to put into the vagina or creams put on the skin of the penis. There are also tablet forms of antifungal treatment. Some antifungal treatments for candida can be bought over the counter and do not require a prescription – talk to your pharmacist if you are fairly sure you have Candida.

When a man develops an allergic reaction to candida, his partner may need to take treatment for candida even if she has no symptoms herself.