Introduction 

Male genital candidiasis, or penile yeast infection is a fungal infection caused mainly by Candida albicans. This condition is less common in men than in women. It can still be chronic and recurrent, affecting men's quality of life. There are many contributing causes, but an often-overlooked factor is poor hygiene. It can lead to both the development and recurrence of the infection.

Recurrent male candidiasis calls attention to underlying medical illnesses such as diabetes or immunosuppression but also to the need for regular and proper genital hygiene. Poor hygiene, moisture, and improper post-activity hygiene can create an environment that supports Candida overgrowth. This article focuses on the specific role of poor hygiene in recurrent male genital candidiasis.

What is candidiasis?

Candidiasis is a type of fungal infection caused by the Candida species.²

This fungus lives on your skin, mouth, and private parts. It doesn’t cause problems most of the time.

However, when it overgrows, often due to poor hygiene or a weakened immune system, it can lead to an infection.

It is called male genital candidiasis, a penile yeast infection or candida balanitis when it happens in men.

Symptoms 

A yeast infection is likely if you notice:

• Red or shiny skin on the penis
• White patches or spots on the skin
• Itching that doesn’t go away⁴
• Burning feeling when you pee
• Pain or soreness during sex
• Thick, white, or clumpy discharge under the foreskin or on the tip
• Bad smell from the genital area
• Dry or cracked skin around the penis
• Swelling or puffiness (balanitis)
• Feeling sore when walking or sitting

Causes of male genital candidiasis

You could get a penile yeast infection due to several reasons. Sometimes, it's because of your health. It can also be a result of routine habits or poor hygiene. 

A. Medical causes

• Weakened immune system - If your body is weak and cannot fight germs, the Candida fungus can overgrow³
• Diabetes - Excessive sugar in your blood or urine provides nutrients for the yeast. This makes it grow comfortably⁴
• Antibiotic use - The use of antibiotics may eliminate good bacteria that protect you. This allows the fungus to grow
• Hormonal imbalances - Changes in body hormones may alter your skin integrity. This can increase your risk of infection

B. Lifestyle & behavioural causes

• Unprotected sex - You can get Candida from a sex partner who is infected
• Using harsh soaps or chemicals - Some soaps are too harsh. They can disrupt your skin's natural balance, allowing Candida to grow easily
• Tight or non-breathing underwears - Tight underwear traps sweat and heat. This creates an environment for the fungus to grow

C. Hygiene-related causes

• Poor genital hygiene - If you don't wash and rinse your genital area every day, dirt and germs can be trapped there
• Not drying properly - After showering and exercising, your genitals are usually wet. If you don't dry the area well, fungus grows in a moist environment
• Wearing wet clothes for long periods - A sweaty and hot environment gives yeast a perfect place to grow
• Not cleaning after having sex - After sex, fluids around your genitals after sex can trap germs. Fungus thrives well in this environment
• Poor foreskin hygiene - If you're not circumcised and don't clean under the foreskin, yeast can build up there
• Touching your genitals with dirty hands - If your hands have germs, you can spread them to your private parts without knowing
• Sharing towels or underwear - This can pass germs and fungus between people

How poor hygiene contributes to recurrent male genital candidiasis

1. Warm, wet skin promotes yeast growth

If your skin is wet or sweaty almost all the time, penile yeast infection fungus Candida multiplies in large numbers. 

This is because yeast grows very well in warm, moist environments.

2. Bacteria disruption 

Your body contains "good" bacteria that protect you. 

If you don't wash very well or use strong soap, the good bacteria can die off. This gives room for candida to grow consistently.

3. Poor hygiene 

Poor hygiene puts you at risk of diseases and infections. This can weaken your immune system, allowing fungus the opportunity to grow more than it should.

4. Skin injury 

If you have a cut or an injury on the skin of your private parts, they can serve as an entry point for the fungus.

5. Touching with dirty hands

When you rub your genital area using dirty hands, you transfer germs. 

It can lead to recurrence even after treatment.

6. Dirty underwear

Wearing the same underwear for too long or not changing after sweating leaves your skin dirty and wet. This creates Candida's perfect environment to grow again and again.

7. Not cleaning properly after sex

Fluids and germs are left on the skin after sex. When you don't shower, they mix with sweat and allow the fungus to grow, causing another penile yeast infection.

Genital hygiene practices to prevent returning from candidiasis

1. Daily genital hygiene

• Wash every day. Wash your penis, scrotum, and the skin around them with warm water and mild soap
• Be gentle. Don't scrub rather use a soft cloth to avoid injuries
• Rinse off all the soap off your skin well. Soap residue can itch
• Dry the area completely with a clean towel before you wear underwear

2. Uncircumcised genitals 

You have to clean under your foreskin if you are uncircumcised.

• Gently pull the foreskin back
• Wash underneath with warm water
• Rinse well and dry under the foreskin
• After drying, pull the skin back to its original position

3. Cleaning after sex or exercise

• After sex, shower with warm water. This washes away sweat, fluids, and bacteria
• After sports or sweating, shower and dry as quickly as possible

4. Use safe soaps and cleansers

• Use safe, skin-nice soaps
• Choose fragrance-free and sensitive skin-friendly soaps
• Avoid harsh or highly scented soaps. They can cause skin irritation

Treatment of male genital candidiasis

1. Over-the-Counter (OTC) creams

• Creams like clotrimazole or miconazole are effective
• Rub the cream on the red or itchy skin as prescribed
• Ensure proper hand washing before and after using the cream

2. Prescription medication 

If the cream doesn’t work, you may need a prescription medication. 

3. Treat your partner

• If you have a partner, they may also need treatment even if they don’t feel itchy or sore
• Yeast can pass back and forth during sex
• If only one person gets treated, the infection may come back again

Prevention of recurrence

1. Practice good hygiene daily
2. Eat less sugar: Sugar provides nutrients for the fungus to grow
   • Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead
3. Take care of other health problems that lower your immunity
4. Avoid taking antibiotics unless prescribed. Uncontrolled antibiotics kill bacteria that protect your body, giving room for fungi to grow
5. Practice safe sex
   • Practice safe sex by using protection like condoms to avoid the spread of infections
   • Do not engage in sex if you or your partner develops symptoms of a yeast infection
6. Check for early signs
   • If you experience itching, notice redness, or have white discharge, consult your health provider immediately

Summary 

You have male genital candidiasis when a fungus called Candida grows too much on your private parts. 

You may feel itching, burning, redness, or see white patches or discharge. This can reoccur after treatment if you don’t keep clean, wear tight or sweaty clothes, or don’t wash after sex or exercise. 

For prevention, wash your genitals every day with warm water and gentle soap. If you have foreskin, clean under it too. 

Your partner should get treated to prevent cross-infection. It is also important to report symptoms early for treatment to prevent complications.