Yeast Infection in Men.

Q. My friend is afraid to go the doctor due to little holes wrapped around the foreskin of his penis. They appear yeast-like or paste-like substances in the pores with a bad odor. Invisible to the eye, the yeast falls out when you flip the skin inside out. He is concerned and is afraid to have sex, possibly infecting others of his disease…at least that's what he thinks. What could it be?

A. It is always hard to deal with a friend who is afraid to see the doctor. Certainly the longer one waits, the more justified that fear becomes because the underlying disease often progresses. On the other hand, in your friend's case, it does not sound like a serious disease is likely. In fact, if this is a yeast infection, it is very easy to treat.

Your friend has either not been circumcised or still has a fair amount of foreskin. When the foreskin is retracted, the underlying tissue is exposed. Since yeast like warm, dark, moist places, the unretracted foreskin is in such a location for yeast to grow. The treatment is a simple cream that can be applied a few times a day and rapidly resolves the problem. Your friend is right in not wanting to have sex with anyone until a final diagnosis has been made and the condition (if contagious) has been treated.