Apple cider vinegar for male yeast infection

Balanitis is male yeast infection and is a common male yeast infection that troubles a lot of men. In balanitis, the head or glans of the penis gets inflamed due to bacterial, fungal, or yeast infections.

• What causes balanitis?
• Home remedies for balanitis
  • Use over the counter ointments
  • Wash the penis thoroughly every day
  • Use mild soaps and avoid any irritants
  • Use Tea tree oil
  • Apply Coconut oil
  • Yogurt 
  • Add Ginger to your diet
  • Apply Aloe Vera Gel
  • Increase Garlic intake 
  • Use Apple Cider Vinegar
• When to seek medical attention for balinitis?
• Final words

What causes balanitis?

Balanitis is more commonly found in uncircumcised men in comparison to the circumcised ones. The main cause of balanitis is poor hygiene practices. Due to improper hygiene, microbes such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast can thrive and multiply in the dark and moist area under the foreskin, eventually leading to infections. Due to these infections, the head of the penis, and sometimes the foreskin too gets swollen.

Balanitis occurs mostly in men with the tight foreskin(prepuce) that is difficult to retract over the glans penis.

Balanitis is a very discomforting condition which can hinder your personal as well as professional life. It can often be a very painful experience and can impact your sexual life as well.  Therefore, it is quite obvious that one would want to get rid of balanitis as soon as possible. Well, you’ll be glad to know that there are a few things you can do to get faster and better results.

So, without any delay, let’s get an insight into some of the most effective home remedies for balanitis.

Home remedies for balanitis

Most cases of balanitis can be treated at home, with home remedies and nonsurgical treatment options.  Even if you wish to try home remedies for balanitis, it is still important to consult a urologist, who sepaclialises in male urology issues including penile yeast infections like balanits. Speak to the urologist once before starting home remedies to treat balanitis. Some effective home remedies for Balanitis are- 

• Use over the counter ointments

Topical antifungal creams or ointments can be effective in treating mild cases of balanitis at home. You will not need a prescription to get an over the counter ointment for balanitis. But if you see no benefit with the OTC ointment for balanitis after few days of use or notice any side effects, discontinue the use and consult a urologist. Typically, if balanitis does not respond well to over the counter ointments or antifungal creams  in case of uncircumcised men, the urologist might suggest a circumcision to treat the condition effectively. 

• Wash the penis thoroughly every day

The most essential tip for preventing the inflammation from worsening is to maintain proper penile hygiene. Wash the penis every day while bathing. Make sure to clean the area under the foreskin properly as it is a favorable area for the microbes to harbor. For cleaning the area under the foreskin, you can also use cotton swabs.

• Use mild soaps and avoid any irritants

Use mild soaps for maintaining the hygiene of the penis. Remember not to use scented soaps, washes and shampoos as these can further irritate the skin and add to your miseries. Also avoid taking bubble baths as they can cause irritation and worsen the balanitis. 

• Use Tea tree oil

The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of tea tree oil are very effective in relieving balanitis. The best way to apply tea tree oil on the penis is by mixing with coconut oil. This prevents any chances of burning and reddening of the penis. So, you can use this home remedy for balanitis every day and experience fast healing. 

• Apply Coconut oil

Coconut oil has soothing and nourishing effects on the skin. It also cures mild skin allergies or infections. Lauric acid and caprylic acid present in coconut oil are very effective in soothing the irritated skin. Therefore, coconut oil is one of the ideal remedies to get fast relief from balanitis. The best thing about coconut oil is that it is easily available and not at all pricey. 

• Yogurt 

Yogurt contains natural probiotics and has anti-inflammatory effects. Including yogurt in your regular diet increases the growth of positive bacteria in your body and thus helps fight off infections. You can also apply yogurt to the affected skin. Doing this reduces the swelling and soothes the irritation caused due to balanitis.

• Add Ginger to your diet

Ginger is enriched with the anti-microbial and very effective in preventing inflammation of any kind. Hence, you should include ginger in your regular diet to get rid of balanitis fast. 

• Apply Aloe Vera Gel

Using aloe vera gel in its pure form is certainly among the best remedies for balanitis. The cooling and anti-bacterial effects of aloe vera gel on the skin helps in curing balanitis as well. There are no side-effects and also no hassles involved with using aloe vera gel for balanitis.

• Increase Garlic intake 

If balanitis occurs due to either bacteria or fungi, using garlic as a remedy is an excellent choice. Garlic has outstanding antibacterial and antifungal properties which help improve the condition of balanitis significantly. Studies have shown that garliccan sometimes be as effective as some anti-fungal creams used to cure balanitis. Therefore, increase your garlic intake for faster results.

• Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is another excellent home remedy for balanitis. It is particularly beneficial in the cases of balanitis caused due to Candida infections. The topical use of apple cider vinegar provides relief from the swelling and pain of balanitis. Apple cider vinegar also has anti-fungal properties that help fight the infection. All you need to do is mix apple cider vinegar with a little water and then apply it to the irritated penile region.

When to seek medical attention for balinitis?

The aforementioned home remedies can work wonders in mild cases of balanitis. However, relying solely on home remedies is not a wise choice if your symptoms are severe. It is always better to discuss the issue with a medical professional in order to root out any serious complications.

Your doctor will assess the root cause of the problem and then suggest appropriate treatment options. If balanitis in your case is a result of improper hygiene and even after prolonged treatment, if the problem persists, your doctor may suggest undergoing circumcision. (Also read: How to cure balanitis fast?)

Circumcision is nothing to fret about. It is an established medical procedure and cures the problem of balanitis permanently. With techniques like laser circumcision, the procedure has become absolutely safe and simple. Therefore, while choosing the treatment options, make a well-informed decision. (Also read: Circumcision: common myths vs facts)

Final words

While initially, the symptoms of balanitis can be mild, immediate attention is still necessary. Be aware and keep a check on your reproductive health. Timely and proper treatment can save you from a lot of hassles. 

Untreated balanitis can cause more complications and problems. Delaying circumcision surgery for balanitis when your urologist has suggested you to undergo surgery is not a wise decision. 

So, if you identify yourself with balanitis, make sure that you reach out to a specialist today and also discuss with them which home remedy you can use along with the treatment. To remind you of a common fact, indulging in self-medication can cause you more harm than benefit. 

Be wise, be careful, and be healthy!

Also read:

• 16 skin problems affecting the penis
• Balanoposthitis treatment