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Treatment of Thrush, men

If you've had thrush before and you know what it is then you can get anti-fungal creams or a single dose pill (fluconazole) from your pharmacist without a prescription. Follow the directions on the packet, and see your GP if the infection doesn’t seem to be improving.

Your GP may suggest using a steroid cream as well as the anti-fungal medication to reduce the symptoms of the infection. If there is infection of the glans (head of the penis) then a steroid cream shouldn’t be used by itself because steroids can make infection worse.

Good hygiene and saline (salt) baths can help to clear up the infection. Wash the area carefully with warm water with enough kitchen salt added to it to make it taste like salt water. Dry your penis carefully after washing; the candida fungus thrives in damp conditions.

Don’t use perfumed shower gels on your genitals, as they can irritate them. Wash the area carefully with water (or temporarily with saline solution) instead.

Some men get a mild form of balanitis after having sex. This is probably caused by an allergy to thrush in your partner’s vagina. If your partner gets treatment, it will usually clear up.

Try to avoid having sex, or at least use a condom, while you are being treated for thrush, so that the infection doesn’t pass back to your partner.

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