How to Treat Thrush in Men
Ways to treat thrush fall into two main categories - natural and pharmaceutical based cures. The best known natural thrush cure is yogurt. It has to be said that applying yogurt to the penis isn't the easiest solution to thrush but read Using Yogurt To Treat Thrush to find out how to do it. Another option is applying vinegar solution (1 to 2 tablespoons of white or cider vinegar to 1 pint water) to the infected area several times a day.
However most men will opt for the over the counter option and here you have a choice of creams or tablets.
Tablets
The best known are Canesten Oral and Diflucan One. The active ingredient in both of them is fluconazole. You just need to take one tablet. It isn't necessary to take it with food but it should be swallowed whole. Possible side effects are nausea, wind and diarrhoea and occasionally headaches.Symptoms should start to go within two days of taking the capsule and be gone within seven days. If your symptoms still persist then you need to see a doctor as there's a good chance you haven't actually got thrush.
Creams
The best known is Canesten Thrush Cream. Make sure you get the right one. There is a Canesten Cream which can be used for thrush but that only contains 1% of the active ingredient Clotrimazole. What you really want to get is the 2% cream to ensure the most effective treatment.The cream soothes the inflamed area as well as kills off the thrush. It should be applied two or three times a day. Try and aim for a thin, even spread over the infected region. Rub it in gently - don't be rough! A slight burning sensation after applying the cream is not uncommon, if it really is uncomfortable then discontinue.
Keep up the treatment until all the symptoms of your thrush have completely disappeared. For extra peace of mind applying the cream for an extra couple of days will ensure that the thrush has really gone.
A combination of the two treatments is very popular as the capsules kills off the thrush quickly while the cream soothes the inflamed skin. Canesten Duo is the most well known of the combination treatments, containing one capsule and a tube of 2% cream.
Don't forget to always read the enclosed leaflets with any OTC medication and if symptoms persist go and see your doctor.