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Suggest Treatment For Penile Candida Albicans Infection

Posted on Tue, 13 May 2014

Question: Hi there I have a penile candida albicans infection. I've seen three different doctors in about as many years and it won't go away. Tests show I have no immune system weakness to worry about. I apply the treatments diligently and as instructed but none have cleared my problem, although a couple of them reduced it temporarily. The list is: Sertaconazole (Mykosert) cream twice a day for two weeks. Econazole (Pevaryl) cream twice a day for two weeks. Tried both the above again simultaneously for 14 days, alternating each one. Nystatin (Biofanal) tablets. Three tablets twice a day. Probiotic powder. Ciclopirox cream, 14 days, twice daily, and itraconazole (Sempera) tablets, 20 days, once a day. Terbinafin (Lamisil) cream, 60 days, once a day, and Itraconazole (Sempera) tablets, 60 days, once a day. Fluconazole tablet, 150mg, single dose. Finally, I have tried keeping the foreskin back as much as possible, nearly 24 hours a day, and keeping the head as completely dry as possible except when washing, for many months. This significantly improves but doesn't eliminate the symptoms, so I don't hold out much hope that circumcision will do much better. I hope you can suggest something else, but please be honest if you just think I'm stuck with it forever. Thank you and kind regards

Answered by Dr. Saul Weinreb (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Thank you for using HCM, I will do my best to help Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for your query. I am so sorry to know about your problem. I can only imagine how frustrating it may be. It also sounds like you have already exhausted the standard treatment regimens and have still not found relief. The problem with candida is that since it naturally occurs in the environment, one can never really get rid of it completely. The goal then is to reduce the load of candida in your natural flora enough that it causes no symptoms. When there is a natural place for the candida to reside, it will be almost impossible to get rid of. In most people, it may live in such small concentrations that it becomes a non issue. However, in your case, it sounds like you need to change the environment around the penis in order to reduce the amount of candida in your natural flora. I am afraid that circumcision sounds like a reasonable step to take, even though you have already tried the interventions that have so far been unsuccessful. In addition, not wearing tight fitting underwear, to allow for air flow, and keeping the area dry should help as well. Drink pure drinking water. That in addition to using medication when necessary should hopefully work. I hope this helps, though I understand that your problem is difficult. Please let me know if you want to discuss this further. Dr Saul

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj