Candida, or candida albicans, is a common type of fungus found in small amounts in the body and on the skin, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is commonly associated with vaginal yeast infections but men can also get genital and skin yeast infections from an overgrowth of candida. Yeast isn't usually a sexually transmitted infection, but under the right circumstances a man can contract a genital yeast infection.
Itching
When candida overpopulate in any particular area, such as the penis or other areas of the skin, the result can be itching. Itching may be mild to moderate in most cases. Scratching the area can exacerbate the infection and should be avoided. When the candida impact the genitals, the most likely areas of itching include the shaft of the penis, the head of the penis and the surrounding skin tissues like the thighs or buttocks.
Redness and Rash
Redness of the skin is a common symptom of a candida infection regardless of the location of the infection. When this occurs on the penis, the University of Maryland Medical Center points out that the penis may develop the red rash after sexual intercourse with an infected partner. The rash can spread into the groin and anus. A characteristic rash of a candida infection is one that has small red lesions next to bigger ones. As the infection progresses, the small lesions may be so close together and great in number that they appear as one larger patch.
Skin Blemishes
Candida infections can cause various skin blemishes depending on the location of the infection. Oral thrush, a candida infection of the mouth, can cause a sore throat with white creamy patches on the soft membranes of the mouth. This includes the tongue, the inside surfaces of the cheeks and sometimes the throat or gums. Candida infections of the hair follicles, called folliculitis, can cause redness and white headed pimples. CandidaSupport.org points out that similar bumps can appear on the head of the penis when a genital yeast infection occurs.
Burning
A male genital yeast infection can lead to burning at the tip of the penis, according to the MayoClinic.com. This can be most noticeable when urinating or having intercourse.
Discharge
A genital candida infection can lead to an abnormal discharge from the penis. CandidaSupport.org describes this as clumpy. It is often white, but can be yellowish.
