For candidiasis on the penis or genital skin in men, the most sought-after attending physician is. Fortunately, the symptoms, as they say, are in plain sight:
- White loose coating with a sour odor.
- Swelling of the foreskin.
- Pain and burning in the affected areas of the genitals.
A common cause of the disease is untreated candidiasis in a sexual partner. Sometimes such patients seek to see a urologist, but this is a surgical doctor. Yes, the doctor will be able to give practical recommendations, but it is better to consult a dermatovenerologist.
Which doctor treats skin and nail lesions with candidiasis?
For fungi of the genus Candida, such localization is not very typical, but it does occur. And most often – against the backdrop of a weakening of the body’s immune forces.
The characteristic symptoms of candidiasis of the skin or nails are not expressed. Therefore, what kind of fungus caused the lesion should be determined by a dermatologist.
Typical signs are:
- White loose coating on individual surfaces of the limbs or torso.
- Severe itching, burning in these places.
- After removing the plaque, a hyperemic surface with areas of erosion remains.
- Deformation, fragility, change of color of one or more nails.
To clarify the diagnosis, specific studies are required - scraping and microscopy of the affected area, cultural seeding. They are carried out in laboratories of the first and second levels upon the direction of a doctor.
Which doctor treats candidiasis in the mouth?
In this section of the digestive tract, very favorable conditions have formed for the life and reproduction of candida.
And here there is a significant load on the humoral part of the immune system, which often “sags.” Regarding the question, To which one doctor address With candidiasis oral cavity, then everything is not so simple. The obvious solution is to go to the dentist.
However, with candidiasis oral cavity ENT organs are often affected: larynx, pharynx. Therefore, with suspicion of candidal stomatitis (burning, redness, pain and white coating), it wouldn’t hurt to see a therapist first. From him you can get a referral to a specialized specialist: an otolaryngologist, a dentist, or even a gastroenterologist.
Candidiasis of the esophagus and intestines - which doctor should I contact?
U healthy person these departments digestive system are covered with candida only in the presence of foci of chronic candida infection. Most often these are self-treated cases of thrush.
Symptoms of gastrointestinal candidiasis do not allow one to suspect fungi, and therefore in such situations, patients, when deciding which doctor to go to, choose a gastroenterologist.
Complaints do indicate digestive problems:
- Pain when swallowing.
- Burning sensation in the esophagus (as with heartburn).
- Bloating.
- Cutting in the epigastrium and around the navel.
- Loose stools.
- Blood in the stool.
When examining the stool, many yeasts are found. And instead of gastroenterological drugs, antifungal drugs are prescribed.
The task of treating such patients most often falls on therapists.
Generalized forms of candidiasis and their treatment
Generalization means the simultaneous defeat of several anatomically heterogeneous sections by candida. For example, the genitals and skin of the extremities or the oral cavity, genitals and intestines.
In the vast majority of such cases, the cause of generalization is a pronounced weakening of the immune system due to AIDS. These patients are treated by doctors of various specialties, the main one being an infectious disease specialist.
Candidiasis is diverse, and the health of men, women and even children depends on the choice of which doctor to contact when problems arise. If in any doubt, contact an available general practitioner. And this doctor will already refer you to specialized specialists.
The main thing is that you cannot sit at home and buy medications yourself: without establishing an accurate diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment process.
Self-medication will only lead to deterioration of health and the spread of candida.
A fungal disease that affects men is called candidiasis. The disease occurs under certain external conditions that promote the growth of the fungus, as well as the presence of a number of reasons related to the body as a whole. Candidiasis is a fairly common disease among women and men; it also occurs in newborns and in the first year of a child’s life.
Thrush occurs in men too
Men, due to the structure of their bodies, get sick somewhat less often than women. However, today we can talk about a significant increase in the number of men seeking help when thrush occurs. Of course, the question arises, which doctor treats, in particular in men. A specialist who deals with infectious, inflammatory, and fungal diseases is called a urologist. It is he who needs to be contacted when candidiasis begins to intensify.
What problems does urology deal with?
- Urology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of problems associated with genitourinary system, kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder.
- Urologist doctor diagnoses diseases urinary system, as well as inflammation and infections of the genital organs, in particular associated with the proliferation of candida fungus and the occurrence of fungal diseases in men.
- Since candidiasis is not a sexually transmitted or dermatological disease, although such an opinion can very often be heard, there is no need to consult a venereologist or dermatologist. The problems of candidiasis are dealt with by urology and a urologist.
Get your body diagnosed
Before starting the disease, it is necessary to determine whether the symptoms that appear in a man are really signs of thrush.
To do this, it is necessary to conduct a complete diagnosis of the body, take tests and smears for fungal activity, and only after receiving the test results can we talk about making an accurate diagnosis and prescribing treatment. Candidiasis in men often occurs, but there are a number of reasons for which we can talk about being at risk.
Causes of candida infection in men
All these reasons can contribute to the fact that the fungus begins to become active in the body and, if you do not contact a specialist in a timely manner, it can develop into a chronic disease.
Examination by a urologist
If there is at least one of the listed causes of candidiasis in men, it is necessary to constantly monitor your health and undergo examination by a urologist. If obvious symptoms of thrush appear, treatment should be started immediately to avoid complications.
- Symptoms of candidiasis in men
- redness, swelling or itching of the genitals; the appearance of thick or stringy discharge unusual color
- with a bad odor;
- discomfort during sexual intercourse;
- the appearance of redness in the perineum or anus;
- crippling diarrhea in the lower abdomen
frequent false urge to urinate or pain during urination.
Urethritis can be painful
Even the occurrence of one symptom can already indicate the onset of the disease in men.
Urologists distinguish some subtypes of diseases that occur with candidiasis in men.
- Candidiasis and its types
- Urethritis develops when the urinary tract becomes inflamed;
- Balanitis affects the surface of the head of the penis;
- Posthitis refers to inflammatory processes occurring in the foreskin.
After identifying the causes and test results, treatment for the fungal infection is prescribed. It should be noted that balanoposthitis is most often diagnosed in men. This form of the disease affects the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs. Therefore, treatment should be comprehensive, using local and general therapy.
Thrush cream
WITH The modern pharmaceutical industry offers a huge number of different antifungal agents. All of them have a fairly good effect, but may differ slightly in composition.
What is the treatment for candidiasis in men?
- Begin by applying a cream or ointment against the fungus. Your doctor will tell you which composition is best to use. Individual selection of the product will eliminate side effects associated with the use of certain medications. The cream is usually used for a week, but already on the first day of use, an improvement in health occurs.
- Treatment for thrush often requires the inclusion of oral agents, usually in capsule form, to influence the development of the fungus through the blood from the inside. In the acute stage of the disease, with timely diagnosis, taking one tablet of an antifungal agent is sufficient. For preventive purposes, you may need to take another tablet every other week.
Take care of your health
Treating thrush is quite simple if you seek help in time. Complications can begin if there are many related problems or treatment of the disease is started very late. Men are not always ready to immediately go to the urologist, even if they feel unwell. And given the fact that the disease can be asymptomatic, it is not so rare.
To avoid serious consequences and long trips to the doctor, men should monitor their health more closely and in case of any unpleasant symptoms, discomfort, irritation of the skin or mucous membranes, seek advice from a urologist, who will provide comprehensive information on your health status, conduct diagnostics, prescribe treatment and prevent the disease.
Fungi of the genus Candida are opportunistic agents that are always near a person, but cause diseases only in the event of a decrease in immunity. It is difficult to answer the question of which doctor treats candidiasis of the oral cavity and other organs, since a specific clinical case may require the help of different specialists.
Depending on the type of candidiasis, they resort to the help of a specific doctor. There are the following types of infection in the body:
- inflammation of the oral cavity or stomatitis (treated by dentists if it is not part of a systemic lesion);
- damage to the skin (patients consult a dermatologist);
- changes in vaginal biocenosis and development of thrush (treated by a gynecologist);
- damage to the external genitalia in women and men (treated by a dermatovenerologist, gynecologist or urologist);
- intestinal damage or changes in the bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract (treated by a gastroenterologist);
- disseminated damage to the body or candidal sepsis (treated by different doctors, but the intervention of an infectious disease specialist and an immunologist is required).
Candidiasis can be acute or chronic and affect absolutely any organ. However, there are localizations in which you need to go to the doctor with candidiasis. urgently. For example, infection of the respiratory tract indicates the presence of serious problems with the immune system and most often indirectly indicates HIV.
Fungus of the genus Candida belongs to the normal microflora of the human body, therefore there is no such thing as primary candidiasis. This disease is always a complication or consequence of some pathological process in organism. Major risk factors for candidiasis:
- congenital immunodeficiencies, for example, DiGeorge syndrome;
- acquired immunological pathologies (HIV, chronic infectious diseases in the stage of decompensation);
- general exhaustion of the body;
- long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
- treatment with hormonal drugs or cytostatics.
If a doctor is consulted for candidiasis for the first time, it means the patient missed the effect of the provoking factor or ignored its importance.
How to recognize different types of candidiasis?
Candidiasis is a specific fungal infection that affects the mucous membranes of internal organs and the skin. A specific symptom of any form of the disease is the presence of cheesy deposits, which consist of mycelium and fungal spores.
When the skin of any location is affected, the following symptoms appear::
- inflammation (redness, swelling, often burning or soreness);
- itching sensation in the area of infection;
- skin maceration;
- the appearance of patches of baldness (not necessarily on the head, but on any affected area);
- formation of paronychia and hyperkeratosis on the nails;
- low-grade fever (temperature rarely rises to high levels).
In addition to skin damage, superficial infection of the mucous membranes occurs. For example, intestinal candidiasis manifests itself with a typical clinical picture of dysbiosis, and an accurate diagnosis can only be made after a specific bacteriological study. Infection of the oral cavity is accompanied by cracks and ulcers on the mucous membranes. When the disease spreads to Airways or esophagus, symptoms of shortness of breath, dysphagia, pain syndrome. If the fungus penetrates the lungs or bronchi, a cough appears.
A doctor treating candidiasis must always distinguish the primary cause of the pathology. The most common disease is HIV infection at the terminal stage of AIDS. In this situation, the fungus affects the entire body, and the doctor must, first of all, increase the number of human lymphocytes, and not eliminate the opportunistic infection, of which there may be several at once.
Features of disease diagnosis
Regardless of the severity and localization of the pathological process, candidiasis is diagnosed by a doctor in only one way - by identifying the pathogen. To do this, a smear or scraping is taken from the affected area and a cultural study is carried out, during which mushrooms are grown. However, proving that the patient is suffering from candidiasis is not the primary goal of the doctor. The main thing is to establish the root cause of the problem in order to correctly adjust the therapy.
Regardless of whether a general practitioner or a specialist is involved in the treatment of candidiasis, the following diagnostic measures may additionally be prescribed:
- general blood analysis;
- clinical urine test ( additional tests doctor prescribes if there is a genitourinary tract infection);
- serological studies for the presence of various sluggish infections;
- chest x-ray to exclude tuberculosis;
- testing for HIV infection.
Often, several doctors treat patients with candidiasis at once, with the exception of common situations: thrush, intestinal dysbiosis, stomatitis in children.
How does a doctor treat candidiasis?
In women and men, candidiasis is treated by the doctor with the same drugs. Specific antifungal agents are used, of which there are not so many in the doctor’s arsenal. Most effective means Nystatin is considered to be produced in various forms. Additional medications, but less effective against Candida fungi, are Ketoconazole and Fluconazole. In severe cases, intravenous injections of Amphotericin are used.
Depending on the location, various routes of drug administration are used.:
- Oral candidiasis is treated by a doctor by prescribing rinses;
- damage to the genital organs requires the use of suppositories;
- dysbiosis is treated systemic drugs, sometimes rectal suppositories;
- skin lesions are treated with ointments.
Systemic administration of medications is not always required, so the doctor makes the decision to prescribe tablets or injections on an individual basis. This takes into account the severity of the patient and associated risk factors.
Which doctor should I contact for candidiasis?
Such a common pathology as candidiasis occurs in women, men and children. Consequently, thrush is treated by different doctors depending on the location, gender and age. The doctor will correctly determine the cause of the disease and select appropriate medications with minimal side effects.
Causes and symptoms of candidiasis
Causes of the disease
Candidomycosis is caused by a yeast-like fungus of the genus Candida. These fungi create opportunistic microflora. In the presence of additional factors, mushrooms multiply. This is how candidiasis appears in humans. Causes of thrush:
- increased humidity and temperature;
- harmful working conditions;
- unhealthy diet (lots of sugar and sweets);
- uncontrolled use of medications (antibiotics, hormones, cytostatics, corticosteroids);
- chronic diseases;
- metabolic disorders;
- overwork and stress at work;
- climate change;
- carbohydrate diet;
- injury to mucous membranes;
- sexual contact with a carrier of the fungus (with urogenital candidiasis);
- from infected mother to child;
- through contact and everyday life;
- transmission of infection from animals to humans;
- through consumption of food products contaminated with candida.
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Symptoms of the disease
The symptoms of candidomycosis depend on the location of the infection, which determines the specialization of the doctor to whom you should contact with complaints.
The main symptoms are summarized in the table:
Which specialist is responsible for what?
Depending on which organ is infected with thrush, you should contact a specialist in a specific profile. The doctor treats candidiasis based on personal specialization. For candidiasis, you need to visit the following diagnosticians:
The superficial form of thrush affects the skin, mucous membranes, oral cavity, nails, genital area, and interdigital area. Large skin folds are the first to be affected by the disease. If symptoms of candidiasis are detected, it is important to immediately consult a dermatologist. A specialist in this category treats skin, mucous membranes, hair and nails. He will prescribe a cream, solution or ointment based on verified blood tests and scrapings from the affected areas. Recommended medications are Pimafucin, Kanizon or Orungal.
Intestinal candidiasis
If you have symptoms of intestinal thrush, you should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. Intestinal candidiasis is a consequence of an imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract as a result of active proliferation of fungi. After the endoscopy, the doctor will prescribe treatment. It is important to eliminate inflammatory process in the intestines. The gastroenterologist prescribes antifungal drugs such as Nystatin and Levorin.
Oral thrush
Candidal stomatitis most often affects young children, smoking women, as well as people who wear dentures and the elderly. If symptoms of the disease appear, you will need the help of a dentist. If a child gets sick, it is better to contact a pediatric dentist. The disease should not be treated on its own. It can be confused with other ailments. For example, with candidomycosis, the tonsils, palate, and gums are covered with a white coating, as with a sore throat. To treat oral thrush, a mycologist prescribes antimycotics. The use of Nystatin, Natamycin, and Lugol is permitted for no more than 21 days.
Thrush in men
A urologist will help cure urogenital candidiasis in men. He will examine the penis and take a smear to make an accurate diagnosis. It is better to do a bacteriological study. After the crops have matured in a special medium, the amount of fungus can be accurately determined. Urologists determine the susceptibility of the fungus to antimycotic agents. If a urologist discovers a fungal infection, then treatment by a dermatovenerologist will be needed.
Which doctor should a woman with candidiasis see?
If a woman has symptoms of vaginal or urogenital thrush, a gynecologist will help. During the examination on the gynecological chair, the gynecologist will take a smear from the vagina. The laboratory will do a bacterial culture, which will allow us to calculate the exact amount of Candida fungus and the degree of fungal damage. Based on the results of bacteriological examination, the gynecologist will prescribe adequate treatment for candidomycosis.
Candidiasis, which doctor should I contact?
Candidiasis is a disease in which damage to the skin and mucous membranes occurs, caused by microscopic yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida.
This pathology owes its second name (thrush) to one of its characteristic symptoms – white discharge.
Depending on the location of the lesion, candidiasis is treated by a dermatologist, gynecologist and urologist.
Candida mushrooms: from conditionally pathogenic to pathogenic
These oval or round unicellular microorganisms are present in the normal microflora of most healthy people. They are well protected from external factors and feel quite comfortable at human body temperature.
The very presence of Candida fungi in the body does not equate to a disease: the development of the pathological process begins if, under the influence of any factors, the fungi begin to actively multiply.
In most cases, this occurs due to decreased immunity.
Causes of candidiasis
Intensive reproduction of the fungus can be provoked by various factors:
- Prolonged hypothermia or, conversely, being in a climate that is too hot and humid.
- A disease, especially if antibacterial drugs are used in its treatment.
- Severe stress.
- Changes in hormonal levels (with endocrine disorders, use hormonal drugs, during pregnancy).
- Choosing underwear that is the wrong size or made from synthetic materials.
Types and symptoms of candidiasis
Manifestations of the disease are very diverse and depend on the specific location of development of the inflammatory process.
Oral candidiasis
Oral candidiasis is most common in childhood. It manifests itself as redness of the mucous membranes of the throat, gums and tongue. Swelling develops. As the disease develops, areas of white plaque with a cheesy consistency form on the oral mucosa. If treatment measures are not taken, their number increases, and erosions occur under the plaque.
When oral candidiasis becomes chronic, damage to the mucous membranes of the nose, pharynx and esophagus is possible.
Candidiasis of the skin
Fungal pathology can spread in the folds of the skin: in the armpits, under the mammary glands. The folds between the fingers and toes are affected. In some cases, skin lesions outside the folds are noted.
The disease manifests itself in the form of small blisters. Individual areas merge to form affected areas. Between the toes of the limbs there is peeling of the skin, cracks, and itching. Externally, the palms look like they are burned.
Candidiasis of the genital organs
This type of disease affects the external organs of the reproductive system: in women – the vaginal mucosa, in the stronger sex – the glans penis and foreskin. A clear sign of the disease is copious white curdled discharge accompanied by itching. There is discomfort during intimate contact and when urinating.
Candidiasis localized in the intestines
Most often it occurs as a result of previous intestinal infections and the use of antibacterial drugs. In children, this condition can be caused by poor nutrition.
Intestinal candidiasis is manifested by pain in the abdomen, flatulence, diarrhea, and the presence of white cheesy flakes in the stool.
Candidiasis in women
Genital candidiasis is more common among women: about 75% of them have experienced its symptoms at one point. In half of the women who became ill, the disease relapsed.
Candidiasis in women makes itself felt with the following symptoms:
- noticeable milky-white, curd-like vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor;
- a feeling of itching, irritation, burning, most noticeable after urination and water procedures, as well as before menstruation;
- pain during and after intimate contact.
If a woman ignores such manifestations, the disease can spread to the area of the inguinal folds, affecting the vaginal mucosa and, in some cases, the vaginal area of the cervix.
Candidiasis and pregnancy
About 90% of pregnant women suffer from the disease. Such a high prevalence of thrush during pregnancy is due to the fact that processes occur in the female body during this period that give impetus to the active proliferation of the Candida fungus: hormonal levels change, the body’s defense mechanisms decrease, and a lack of vitamins and minerals occurs.
Despite the fact that the disease is diagnosed in the vast majority of pregnant women, a frivolous attitude towards it is unacceptable.
- There is a risk of transmission of Candida fungus to the fetus. This can happen not only during the baby’s passage through the birth canal, but also in utero.
- Infection with the fungus creates conditions for the development of intrauterine oxygen deficiency in the fetus.
- The risk of premature birth, as well as the birth of a baby with low body weight, increases.
- There is a threat of polyhydramnios formation and premature rupture of amniotic fluid.
Candidiasis in men
Representatives of the stronger sex are much less susceptible to candidiasis compared to women. This is due to the anatomical characteristics of the male body.
When affecting the male body, thrush manifests itself as follows:
- There is swelling and redness in the area of the glans penis and foreskin.
- There is a burning sensation and pain when urinating.
- During an erection, intimate contact and after it, pain occurs.
- A white cheesy coating with a sour odor appears.
Lack of proper treatment in men leads to the development of candidal balanitis (damage to the glans penis) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the foreskin).
For information about the characteristics of the disease and common myths associated with thrush, watch this video:
Treatment of candidiasis
The process of getting rid of unpleasant manifestations begins with diagnosis. After examining the patient, a bacterial culture is prescribed - a method that allows one to determine the causative agent of the disease.
During the examination, a scraping is taken from the mucous membrane at the site of the lesion. The material is placed in a special environment for several days, where the fungus grows, forming colonies. Based on the data obtained, a final diagnosis is made and a treatment regimen is prescribed.
Drug therapy for candidiasis
For any type of localization of the lesion, complex treatment is required:
Normalization of the immune system: restoration of intestinal microflora, use of immunomodulators.
Elimination of local manifestations of the disease: ointments, suppositories, creams, vaginal tablets (Clotrimazole, Pimafucin, Miconazole).
Systemic treatment: tablets or capsules taken orally (Diflucan).
The process of getting rid of thrush during pregnancy differs from the treatment of this disease in patients of other categories. First of all, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of adverse effects of drugs on the fetus. Therefore, topical agents with low toxicity and absorption, with a minimum number of side effects, are prescribed.
Candidiasis and diet
Human immunity largely depends on the state of the intestinal microflora. If available fungal disease it is almost always broken. Therefore, to speed up recovery, it is important to follow a diet, which is an element of general treatment.
It is necessary to exclude from the menu products containing large quantities simple carbohydrates: confectionery, sweets, honey, sweet fruits and packaged juices, alcohol.
- The consumption of pasta and starchy vegetables: potatoes, carrots, pumpkin should be limited.
- It is recommended to give preference low-fat varieties meat and fish, vegetables in stewed, boiled and baked form.
- To normalize the intestinal microflora, you need to include fermented milk products in the menu.
Traditional methods in the treatment of candidiasis
A lot is known folk ways getting rid of unpleasant manifestations, however, it should be remembered that they are auxiliary and often minimize pathological symptoms without eliminating the cause of the disease.
- Pour 2 tablespoons of dry calendula (flowers) into 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes to infuse. It is recommended to wash the genitals with the strained product. In addition to calendula, you can use celandine, chamomile, oak bark, and yarrow for these purposes.
- Baking soda is a common way to treat candidiasis at home. This substance has a detrimental effect on the fungal habitat. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a liter of boiled water. You can wash the genital area daily with this solution (it is better to do the procedure in the evening). It is important not to leave excess moisture on the genitals after it.
In women, soda procedures should be carried out with caution: this can provoke disturbances in the vaginal microflora.
Which doctor treats candidiasis
The choice of a specialist if candidiasis is suspected depends on the location of the lesion.
If the pathological process has affected the genitals, treatment is carried out by a gynecologist for women, and a urologist for representatives of the stronger sex.
If you have oral thrush in children, you should contact your pediatrician and pediatric dentist.
Skin forms of the disease require contacting a dermatologist or dermatovenerologist.
If symptoms of candidiasis of the digestive system appear, you need to consult a gastroenterologist.
Candidiasis is not a deadly disease, but its manifestations should not be ignored: often a fungal infection indicates hidden negative processes occurring in the body. In addition, advanced forms of the disease significantly reduce the quality of life and can provoke serious complications.
Which doctor treats candidiasis?
Yeasts of the genus Candida (Candida albicans) are very widespread. They live on almost all surfaces of the human body.
Their reproduction is restrained by the immune system, therefore, when the protective forces are weakened, the number of fungi increases like an avalanche. This pathology is called candidiasis and doctors of almost all specialties encounter it.
Where can candidiasis develop?
The main responsibility for curbing the uncontrolled proliferation of candida lies with antibodies (mainly IgA immunoglobulins), which saturate the mucous membranes of the body.
Local, temporary decreases in the level of these antibodies occur in almost all people. Fortunately, most of these episodes are short-lived and with the restoration of immunity everything returns to normal. It is likely that each person has experienced at least one episode of candidiasis with spontaneous recovery or with the help of treatment from a doctor.
Localization of processes can be very diverse:
- Vagina and vulva.
- Male reproductive organs.
- Skin of extremities - feet, hands.
- Nail plates.
- Oral cavity.
- Digestive tract – esophagus, intestines.
- Generalized candidiasis of several parts of the body is a phenomenon characteristic of people with profound immunodeficiency.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to provide accurate data on the occurrence of individual types of fungal infestations. Since since 1999, statistical recording of candidiasis processes has been abolished. This in itself indicates extremely high morbidity figures.
Genital candidiasis in women - which doctor treats it?
Perhaps the most common is a lesion of the vagina (thrush). In such cases, many women do not even ask themselves which doctor treats vaginal candidiasis, but go to the nearest pharmacy and buy suppositories with an antifungal component.
This behavior is too frivolous, since a number of important issues are not resolved:
- Finding out the cause of the pathology.
- Concomitant genital infections.
- General condition of the vaginal microflora.
- The severity and activity of candidiasis.
Self-medication of thrush during pregnancy is especially dangerous, since fungi can infect the baby during childbirth or even lead to pathology of pregnancy. Therefore, if symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis appear, you need to see a gynecologist. It is these specialists who accurately diagnose the process, prescribe pathogenetic treatment and confirm recovery.
Candidiasis of the male genital organs – which doctor treats it?
For candidiasis on the penis or genital skin in men, the most popular attending physician is a dermatovenerologist. Fortunately, the symptoms, as they say, are in plain sight:
- Redness of the head.
- White loose coating with a sour odor.
- Swelling of the foreskin.
- Pain and burning in the affected areas of the genitals.
A common cause of the disease is untreated candidiasis in a sexual partner. Sometimes such patients seek to see a urologist, but this is a surgical doctor. Yes, the doctor will be able to give practical recommendations, but it is better to consult a dermatovenerologist.
Which doctor treats skin and nail lesions with candidiasis?
For fungi of the genus Candida, such localization is not very typical, but it does occur. And most often – against the backdrop of a weakening of the body’s immune forces.
The characteristic symptoms of candidiasis of the skin or nails are not expressed. Therefore, what kind of fungus caused the lesion should be determined by a dermatologist.
Typical signs are:
- White loose coating on individual surfaces of the limbs or torso.
- Severe itching, burning in these places.
- After removing the plaque, a hyperemic surface with areas of erosion remains.
- Deformation, fragility, change of color of one or more nails.
To clarify the diagnosis, specific studies are required - scraping and microscopy of the affected area, cultural seeding. They are carried out in laboratories of the first and second levels upon the direction of a doctor.
Which doctor treats candidiasis in the mouth?
In this section of the digestive tract, very favorable conditions have formed for the life and reproduction of candida.
And here there is a significant load on the humoral part of the immune system, which often “sags.” Regarding the question, To which one doctor address With candidiasis oral cavity, then everything is not so simple. The obvious solution is to go to the dentist.
However, with candidiasis of the oral cavity, the ENT organs are often affected: the larynx, pharynx. Therefore, if you suspect candidal stomatitis (burning, redness, pain and white plaque), it would not hurt to first see a therapist. From him you can get a referral to a specialized specialist: an otolaryngologist, a dentist, or even a gastroenterologist.
Candidiasis of the esophagus and intestines - which doctor should I contact?
In a healthy person, these parts of the digestive system are covered with candida only in the presence of foci of chronic candidal infection. Most often these are self-treated cases of thrush.
Symptoms of gastrointestinal candidiasis do not allow one to suspect fungi, and therefore in such situations, patients, when deciding which doctor to go to, choose a gastroenterologist.
Complaints do indicate digestive problems:
- Pain when swallowing.
- Burning sensation in the esophagus (as with heartburn).
- Bloating.
- Cutting in the epigastrium and around the navel.
- Loose stools.
- Blood in the stool.
When examining the stool, many yeasts are found. And instead of gastroenterological drugs, antifungal drugs are prescribed.
The task of treating such patients most often falls on therapists.
Generalized forms of candidiasis and their treatment
Generalization means the simultaneous defeat of several anatomically heterogeneous sections by candida. For example, the genitals and skin of the extremities or the oral cavity, genitals and intestines.
In the vast majority of such cases, the cause of generalization is a pronounced weakening of the immune system due to AIDS. These patients are treated by doctors of various specialties, the main one being an infectious disease specialist.
Candidiasis is diverse, and the health of men, women and even children depends on the choice of which doctor to contact when problems arise. If in any doubt, contact an available general practitioner. And this doctor will already refer you to specialized specialists.
The main thing is that you cannot sit at home and buy medications yourself: without establishing an accurate diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment process.
Self-medication will only lead to deterioration of health and the spread of candida.
Depending on the type of candidiasis, they resort to the help of a specific doctor. There are the following types of infection in the body:
- inflammation of the oral cavity or stomatitis (treated by dentists if it is not part of a systemic lesion);
- damage to the skin (patients consult a dermatologist);
- changes in vaginal biocenosis and development of thrush (treated by a gynecologist);
- damage to the external genitalia in women and men (treated by a dermatovenerologist, gynecologist or urologist);
- intestinal damage or changes in the bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract (treated by a gastroenterologist);
- disseminated damage to the body or candidal sepsis (treated by different doctors, but the intervention of an infectious disease specialist and an immunologist is required).
Candidiasis can be acute or chronic and affect absolutely any organ. However, there are localizations in which candidiasis requires immediate medical attention. For example, infection of the respiratory tract indicates the presence of serious problems with the immune system and most often indirectly indicates HIV.
Causes of candidiasis
Fungus of the genus Candida belongs to the normal microflora of the human body, therefore there is no such thing as primary candidiasis. This disease is always a complication or consequence of some pathological process in the body. Major risk factors for candidiasis:
- congenital immunodeficiencies, for example, DiGeorge syndrome;
- acquired immunological pathologies (HIV, chronic infectious diseases in the stage of decompensation);
- general exhaustion of the body;
- long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
- treatment with hormonal drugs or cytostatics.
If a doctor is consulted for candidiasis for the first time, it means the patient missed the effect of the provoking factor or ignored its importance.
How to recognize different types of candidiasis?
Candidiasis is a specific fungal infection that affects the mucous membranes of internal organs and the skin. A specific symptom of any form of the disease is the presence of cheesy deposits, which consist of mycelium and fungal spores.
When the skin of any location is affected, the following symptoms appear::
- inflammation (redness, swelling, often burning or soreness);
- itching sensation in the area of infection;
- skin maceration;
- the appearance of patches of baldness (not necessarily on the head, but on any affected area);
- formation of paronychia and hyperkeratosis on the nails;
- low-grade fever (temperature rarely rises to high levels).
In addition to skin damage, superficial infection of the mucous membranes occurs. For example, intestinal candidiasis manifests itself with a typical clinical picture of dysbiosis, and an accurate diagnosis can only be made after a specific bacteriological study. Infection of the oral cavity is accompanied by cracks and ulcers on the mucous membranes. When the disease spreads to the respiratory tract or esophagus, symptoms of shortness of breath, dysphagia, and pain occur. If the fungus penetrates the lungs or bronchi, a cough appears.
A doctor treating candidiasis must always distinguish the primary cause of the pathology. The most common disease is HIV infection at the terminal stage of AIDS. In this situation, the fungus affects the entire body, and the doctor must, first of all, increase the number of human lymphocytes, and not eliminate the opportunistic infection, of which there may be several at once.
Features of disease diagnosis
Regardless of the severity and localization of the pathological process, candidiasis is diagnosed by a doctor in only one way - by identifying the pathogen. To do this, a smear or scraping is taken from the affected area and a cultural study is carried out, during which mushrooms are grown. However, proving that the patient is suffering from candidiasis is not the primary goal of the doctor. The main thing is to establish the root cause of the problem in order to correctly adjust the therapy.
Regardless of whether a general practitioner or a specialist is involved in the treatment of candidiasis, the following diagnostic measures may additionally be prescribed:
- general blood analysis;
- clinical urine test (the doctor prescribes additional tests if there is a genitourinary tract infection);
- serological studies for the presence of various sluggish infections;
- chest x-ray to exclude tuberculosis;
- testing for HIV infection.
Often, several doctors treat patients with candidiasis at once, with the exception of common situations: thrush, intestinal dysbiosis, stomatitis in children.
How does a doctor treat candidiasis?
In women and men, candidiasis is treated by the doctor with the same drugs. Specific antifungal agents are used, of which there are not so many in the doctor’s arsenal. The most effective remedy is Nystatin, which is produced in various forms. Additional medications, but less effective against Candida fungi, are Ketoconazole and Fluconazole. In severe cases, intravenous injections of Amphotericin are used.
Depending on the location, various routes of drug administration are used.:
- Oral candidiasis is treated by a doctor by prescribing rinses;
- damage to the genital organs requires the use of suppositories;
- dysbacteriosis is treated with systemic drugs, sometimes rectal suppositories;
- skin lesions are treated with ointments.
Systemic administration of medications is not always required, so the doctor makes the decision to prescribe tablets or injections on an individual basis. This takes into account the severity of the patient and associated risk factors.
12.04.2017
Candidiasis is a disease caused by the Candida fungus. Normally, a healthy person always has these fungi in the microflora of the mouth, intestines, and genitals.
A person can get thrush for the first time already in infancy, having become infected from the mother, when the parents do not take good care of hygiene. Thrush occurs in different parts of the body in both sexes, but in men it is more often diagnosed on the genitals.
The cause of excessive activity of the fungus is a decrease in immunity under the influence of certain factors. As a result, fungi begin to multiply in any area of the mucous membrane, causing discomfort and thrush.
Frequent factors causing disease, are:
- stressful situations;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- HIV;
- neglect of hygiene rules;
- long-term use of antibiotics, corticosteroids;
- increased sweating while wearing synthetic underwear.
A man can also become infected during intimacy. The fungus can affect not only the genitals, but also manifest itself in the intestines, mouth, skin and nails.
The initial stage of thrush on the penis goes unnoticed, later redness of the skin, itching and burning, pain during urination and intimacy, and a white coating appear. On the skin, the fungus reveals itself as a rash, swelling, and redness.
When the intestines are damaged, diarrhea, excessive gas formation, and white spots in the stool occur. With candidiasis, a white coating appears on the mucous membranes in the mouth, with bleeding ulcers underneath.
With nail fungus, there is delamination, clouding of the plate, it becomes cloudy and crumbles. In some situations, systemic candidiasis progresses, when several organs are affected, and the fungus enters the bloodstream.
Which doctor should I contact?
It is impossible to answer unequivocally which doctor treats thrush. Since the fungus can affect different parts of the body, you need to contact a specialist whose competence includes this area.
If you have candidiasis of the penis, you need to contact a dermatovenerologist or urologist; if you have thrush in the intestines, you should contact a gastroenterologist or therapist. If fungus develops in the mouth, you can visit a dentist or family doctor.
Diagnosis includes visual examination, microscopic examination of skin scrapings, and culture on the medium.
Treatment of thrush in men
Before using any anti-fungal remedies, you should consult a specialist. Often, urogenital candidiasis causes an exacerbation of infections that already exist in the body.
It is important to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. If the results of the analysis reveal only thrush, the doctor will select a course of antimycotic drugs that are taken externally and internally. If a man has a constant companion, both partners need to be treated at once.
Correcting your diet is the key to successful treatment. You need to give up alcohol, eat less sweets and baked goods, chocolate and candies. To boost your immunity, you need to eat fruits and vegetables every day, and include legumes and whole grains in your diet.
It is imperative to consume fermented milk products, alternating cottage cheese, kefir, fermented baked milk, etc. It is better to limit smoked meats and pickles.
Herbs are used as complementary therapy. You can use decoctions for lotions, washing, and also drink medicinal teas. The most effective against fungus are calendula, chamomile, oak bark, cloves, and barberry.
Chamomile can be brewed instead of tea, other plants can be used for water treatments. Calendula solution gives good results. To prepare it, you need to dissolve 1 tbsp in 1 glass of water. calendula tinctures.
The genitals are washed with the prepared solution. Celandine juice is applied to the affected areas; it fights fungus well. Foci of the disease are treated with carrot and cranberry juice, decoction of viburnum. Urogenital candidiasis in the acute stage can be quickly cured if you follow the doctor’s recommendations.
Intestinal function needs to be normalized if the fungus has settled on the gastrointestinal mucosa. The doctor will prescribe medications that restore the microflora. These are Linex, Laktiale, Laktovit, Acipol, etc.
Antifungal drugs in the form of creams and ointments will help destroy fungal colonies. They are applied several times during the day to the affected areas of the body according to the instructions. The following drugs have become effective: clotrimazole, mycosan, nizoral, dermazole, sebozole, triderm, amiclon, etc.
If local therapy is not enough, the thrush does not go away for a long time and recurs, systemic tablets are prescribed. A popular drug is Diflucan.
Maintaining hygiene is important for preventive purposes and during therapy. At the beginning of treatment, you need to change all the underwear to new ones, change them as they get dirty, preventing the spread of infection. Linen should be washed when high temperature, or boil. Underwear should not be made of synthetics. Natural fabrics and loose fit are welcome.
During treatment, you should refrain from sexual intercourse, especially since it causes discomfort. You cannot visit the pool, take a bath, or go to the sauna. After hygiene procedures, the skin must be dried and then treated with an antifungal drug.
Chronic form of thrush
When is thrush diagnosed? chronic form, this suggests that the treatment will be long and thorough. The patient is given a course of medications, which is adjusted by the doctor to prevent the fungus from developing resistance to the active ingredients in the medications.
Choosing medications on your own is dangerous, as the fungus can spread to other organs and systems and cause serious complications.
Prevention of thrush
To reduce the risk of thrush or re-infection, you need to take some measures:
- pay attention to your diet, introduce foods that are healthy for microflora and health, and minimize the consumption of harmful ones;
- Eat a couple of cloves of garlic every day;
- refuse untested sexual contacts;
- when overweight- set a goal to reduce it to normal, otherwise you will have to suffer from excessive sweating and fungus in the folds of the skin;
- choose underwear only from natural fabrics that do not create a greenhouse effect on the skin;
- When treating with antibiotics and other potent drugs, it is imperative to take measures to prevent fungal activity. To do this, the doctor may prescribe 1 tablet of fluconazole or its analogue.
A good specialist will provide the patient with due attention, select an individual course of treatment taking into account age, course of the disease, the presence of contraindications and other factors.
Statistics show that responsible patients who strictly follow the recommended course of therapy recover quickly and subsequently rarely bother the doctor on this issue.