Mycosis of the glans: penis symptoms, duration, transmissible?

Mycosis of the glans, the mucous membrane at the end of the penis, is a inflammation due to the proliferation of a fungus (Candida) which causes characteristic symptoms: redness, itching, small white pimples… This benign disease that affects the penis of the man requires the advice of a doctor (general practitioner, dermatologist, urologist, etc.) to be correctly diagnosed and treated. What are the symptoms a mycosis in the glans? What are the causes ? Is she contagious ? How the cure ? With which treatment ? What cream ?

What is glans mycosis?

Glans mycosis is genital mycosis which is manifested by a inflammation of the glans (balanitis of the glans) due to the proliferation of a fungus of the genus Candida. In men, the glans is the end of the penis. The glans is covered by a skin called the foreskin. In women, the glans designates the end of the clitoris, located above the urinary orifice. Generally, when we talk about mycosis of the glans, we are talking about the glans of the penis, so it is a male condition. “Mycosis of the glans is still quite rare but she is favored by the presence of diabetesthat it is necessary, if it is not yet detected, to seek“, immediately warns Dr. Isabelle Rousseaux, dermatologist.

Genital mycosis, which usually begins around the frenulum (the tab of skin that holds the foreskin) and then spreads to the glans and the foreskin, is easily identifiable. According to our dermatologist, mycosis of the glans is characterized by:

• An erythema (skin redness) due to inflammation of the glans (balanitis).
• Itching (the end of the penis scratches).
• A small whitish erosion (small pustules) which looks like small white dots.
• Burns due to irritation of the glans.
• Sometimes swelling of the glans.

What are the causes of mycosis of the glans?

Mycosis of the glans is generally due to the presence of a mushroom, Candida. Most often it is a candida albicans. Hence the fact that this condition is called a candidiasis. Most of the time, the contamination is endogenous, in other words: the man was already a carrier of the normally harmless fungi and certain factors caused the fungi to grow abnormally, become pathogenic and lead to symptoms (listed above). The factors that make this fungus pathogenic are:

• Poor intimate hygiene (use of products with too acidic pH or disinfectant products) that can disrupt the good balance of the microbial flora.
• Irritation of the sexual mucosa due to reports too intense or too frequent washing of the intimate area.
• Diabetes.
• A failure of the immune system.
• The presence of a bacterium.
• The presence of an allergy.

Is glans mycosis transmissible/contagious?

“Mycosis of the glans is not transferable strictly speaking (you can’t “catch” a mycosis via the toilet bowl for example), reassures our interlocutor. Mycosis can nevertheless stransmit during unprotected sex with a partner who himself has a mycosis or following reports that are too intense, which resulted in a fragility of the lining of the glans“.

In very rare cases, mycosis of the glans disappears on its own. Otherwise, it requires appropriate treatment (see below). If the treatment is taken correctly and if the person respects the rules of hygiene, mycosis of the glans can be treated by one week. On the other hand, if it is not treated, the mycosis will not disappear on its own and can lead to complications, especially in diabetics and immunocompromised people.

Who to consult for mycosis of the glans?

As soon as the symptoms mentioned above appear, it is necessary to consult a general practitioner, a dermatologist Or a urologist to treat the infection as soon as possible and prevent the fungus from spreading further. The doctor will verify that it is indeed a mycosis and will rule out other conditions such as a genital herpeseczema, psoriasisor inflammation of the glans of bacterial origin, which require a different treatment from mycosis.

“Glans mycosis is treated with a antifungal cream (Or antifungal, available in pharmacies without a prescription) that we are going to apply locally on the glans and its periphery”generally during one week, says Dr. Rousseaux. This cream is sometimes combined with a cortisone cream. At the same time, the following advice should be observed:

• Adopt strict intimate hygiene: use of a neutral pH soap (so not too acidic!).
• Do not wash too often.
• GOOD dry your private parts after bathing with a clean towel (fungi tend to proliferate in a humid environment) including after swimming in a swimming pool or in the sea.
• Take care of removal of the glans during the toilet.
• Rinse the penis at clear water after sex to prevent vaginal secretions from remaining on the glans.
• Avoid wearing synthetic underwear or tight pants to avoid sweating too much.
• Do from time to time a course of probiotics to maintain or restore the balance of the flora.

Thanks to Dr Isabelle Rousseaux, dermatologist-venerologist.