Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. It is important to always consult a medical professional for any health issues.
Jock itch is among the contagious fungal infections that people might experience, and it causes different itchy problems in the groin area. Anyone who has encountered this skin condition, they know that it is painful and uncomfortable. There are a lot of reasons behind jock itch, but the usual triggers occur when the affected part is kept moist, damp, and irritated. It leads to bacterial growth, making the affected part itchy.
This skin condition is common, particularly for men. However, it is something that you should not ignore or negate. If you have been experiencing a jock itch and are searching for ways how to treat and prevent the condition, we are here to help you. In this post, we are giving you more information about jock itch and the best remedies for it.
What is Jock Itch?
Tinea cruris, more commonly known as jock itch, is a fungal infection of the skin. Like other tinea infections, mold-like fungi called dermatophytes cause jock itch. These are microscopic fungi that live on the skin, nails, and hair. These fungi are typically harmless. However, they can multiply and cause infections when they are allowed to thrive in warm and moist areas. This is why jock itch frequently occurs in the skin around the groin, buttocks, and inner thighs. [1]
The condition is also most common in people assigned male at birth, especially adolescents. Even though jock itch can be bothersome, it is usually a mild infection. To minimize the symptoms and keep them from spreading, immediate treatment is needed. A lot of people find relief by applying topical medications and by keeping the affected area clean and dry at all times. [1]
What are the Symptoms of Jock Itch?
Knowing the symptoms of a jock itch is important in order to treat it properly and in a timely manner. Doctors or dermatologists may be able to diagnose it by looking at the rash and hearing about your symptoms. Rarely, some doctors may also take a sample of the skin so a medical technician can look at it under a microscope. [2] Below are the common symptoms of jock itch in the affected area: [1]
- Redness
- Persistent itching
- Burning sensation
- Cracking, flaking, or peeling skin
- A red, scaly, circular rash with raised edges
- Rash that gets worse with activities or exercise
- Skin color changes
- Rash that worsens or spreads after using over-the-counter anti-itch creams
- Consistent pain even after the sweat and moisture has dried
- A bad odor coming from the groin area
Jock itch commonly affects the groin and inner thighs. It may also spread to the abdomen or buttocks but does not usually develop on the scrotum. [1]
What are the Causes and Risk Factors for Jock Itch?
A group of fungi referred to as dermatophytes cause a jock itch. They live on the skin naturally and often don’t cause problems. But when you stay in sweat-soaked clothes after exercising, the prolonged exposure of your skin to moisture can allow the fungi to quickly multiply. When there is an overgrowth of dermatophytes in the groin area, it causes the infection called jock itch. [1]
Keep in mind that the fungus that causes jock itch is highly contagious. This means that it can be transferred from one person to another through personal contact with a person who has the skin condition or through contact with that person’s unwashed clothes.
The following factors also put people at a higher risk of acquiring or developing jock itch: [1]
- Males
- Teenagers
- Being overweight or living with obesity, which increases the sweaty skin folds
- Having the tendency to sweat a lot, increasing the moisture of the skin
- Weak immune system due to an underlying health condition
- Wearing a lot of tight clothes
- Living with diabetes
The Dangers of Ignoring Jock Itch
A lot of athletes and active people are prone to developing jock itch. The folds in the skin are prone to collecting sweat when people play a sport or indulge in regular exercise. Since the groin area is a sensitive part and also has folds of skin, it is not surprising that jock itch is common among athletes and other active people.
Some people who develop jock itch want to simply wait out the issue or try simple home remedies. In fact, there are many cases of jock itch that go away on their own. However, there is still a chance that the rash might spread to other parts of the body, like the inner thighs, anus, and genitals. When jock itch is left untreated, it might become a major cause for concern.
Therefore, it is best to treat jock itch as soon as possible. Doing this will also prevent the chances of it coming back in the short or long term.
The Different Treatments and Remedies for Jock Itch
The good news is that most cases of jock itch are absolutely curable. There may be some rare cases that might stick out for the long term, and there are also some stubborn conditions that might need proper medication and professional treatment. But if the jock itch you are experiencing is fairly mild, there are various ways that you can do to treat the condition. Below are the different ways to treat and speed up the recovery from jock itch:
Use Antifungal Creams Immediately
Jock itch is mainly treated with antifungal creams. These creams can either be prescribed or bought over the counter and are used to get rid of the fungus causing the infection. The sooner you begin the treatment, the faster the infection will go away.
There are a lot of antifungal creams that are available over the counter without a prescription. These include creams like clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, tolnaftate, and butenafine. It is not clear if one cream works better than another. But according to some experts, starting with terbinafine or butenafine is a good idea. [3]
Antifungal creams are usually applied to the rash 2 to 3 times a day for about 2 weeks. However, if the rash is not getting better or you notice it getting worse after using over-the-counter creams, it is best to see a healthcare provider as you may need to use a prescription-strength antifungal cream or take some oral medication to fight off the fungus and infection. [3]
Below are some examples of antifungal creams for jock itch to help you choose:
- Lotrimin Ultra Antifungal Jock Itch Cream: This one is prescription strength and is clinically proven to cure most cases of jock itch. It might cost a fair bit per ounce, but the result is well worth it for many users. The first thing this cream does is to soothe that itchiness that comes with most cases of jock itch. It’s safe to use on the sensitive groin area. But this cream can only be used by people 12 years old and above.
- Miconazole Globe Nitrate Antifungal Cream: Miconazole is the active ingredient of this antifungal cream. It can relieve the itching, burning, cracking, and scaling associated with fungal infections like jock itch. For best results, cleanse the affected area with mild soap and warm water and pat dry before applying a thin layer of this medicated cream twice daily.
- Rite Aid Clotrimazole Antifungal Cream: This is an antifungal cream that contains clotrimazole as its active ingredient. It can cure most jock itch and other fungal infections along with their symptoms.
- Terrasil Jock Itch Treatment: This cream can help relieve jock itch fast. It contains natural and organic ingredients, such as tea tree oil. It is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and alcohol-free, making it safe for sensitive skin.
Try Using Antifungal Powders
In addition to using antifungal creams for jock itch, you can also try using antifungal powders. An antifungal powder absorbs excess sweat and moisture, particularly from the sweaty and damp areas of the body, such as thigh folds and more. In addition, it also helps relieve itching, rashes, swelling, and redness in the affected area. Below are some examples of antifungal powders for jock itch to help you choose:
- Zeasorb Super Absorbent Antifungal Powder: This powder targets and treats jock itch. It is a dual-action treatment that can relieve the itching, burning, and scaling caused by fungal infections. It also soothes chafing and absorbs unwanted moisture.
- Leader Miconazole Antifungal Powder: This is a moisture-absorbing powder that can help relieve the symptoms of chafing, itching, burning, and scaling caused by fungi. It can cure and soothe most jock itch when used daily.
- Comfort Zone Miconazorb Antifungal Powder: This is a talc-free, medicated powder used to treat most jock itch. It has 2% miconazole nitrate to help stop the spread of fungus on the areas in the groin, thigh, and buttocks area. It also absorbs moisture, making it difficult for fungi to spread and thrive.
- Lotrimin AF Jock Itch Antifungal Powder Spray: This powder spray can effectively relieve the discomfort of itchy skin on the groin and inner thighs. It can cure most jock itch. It can treat hard-to-reach areas of the skin as it sprays easily between the folds of the skin.
- Puregen Labs Antifungal Powder: This antifungal powder can help stop the spread of fungus on the skin in the groin, thigh, and buttocks area. It can also relieve itching, burning, and irritation, which are associated with common fungal infections.
Use Antifungal Balms and Salves
If you do not like the feeling of creams and powders on your skin, you can also try using antifungal balms and salves to treat your jock itch. Most of them are soothing and can provide quick relief for dry, itchy, irritated, and cracked skin. They also contain most of the active ingredients present in antifungal creams and powders. Below are a few examples of antifungal balms and salves to help you choose:
- Teliaoils Oregano Powerful Antiseptic Salve: This is a fast-acting balm that offers soothing relief from irritated skin due to jock itch and other fungal infections. It has a rich, extra-strength formula with enhanced moisturizing properties to relieve the symptoms of jock itch. It contains organic essential oils and extracts, helping the skin repair itself.
- Urban ReLeaf Jock Itch Healing Salve: This salve can help relieve the itching caused by jock itch. It contains raw shea butter that can moisturize the skin while providing anti-inflammatory and cellular renewal deep into the layers of the skin. It is made from natural ingredients, making it gentle but effective.
- Tea Tree Oil Balm for Jock Itch: This is a fast-acting balm that can provide relief for skin conditions like jock itch. It contains tea tree essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil, which can both soothe itchy, burning skin. It also has nourishing macadamia oil that can relieve dryness and discomfort on the skin. It is sweatproof and non-greasy.
Avoid Scratching the Rash
Scratching the affected area might bring some temporary relief, but doing it can only make things worse. Scratching may increase the risk of developing an infection such as cellulitis on top of the fungal infection. When this happens, it will become more difficult to treat and get rid of jock itch.
Aside from that, scratching the affected part may also transfer the fungus to the nails and hands. This can make it easier for the fungus to spread to other parts of the body, which can give an individual not one but two or more fungal infections to deal with. [3]
Always Keep Your Groin and Thighs Dry
As we’ve mentioned earlier, fungi love moist areas. Therefore, you need to make your skin a place they do not want to grow by always keeping your groin and thighs dry. Also, if you are suffering from a jock itch, as much as possible, avoid swimming and other water activities until the rash goes away. After taking a bath, dry off your skin completely before getting dressed. Applying some powder to your groin and thighs after bathing may also help keep things dry. [3]
Wear Loose-Fitting Underwear and Clothes
Wearing tight-fitting clothes and underwear can keep moisture close to the skin, creating the moist environment that fungi love. Therefore, you need to opt for loose-fitting clothes and underwear like boxers, shorts, and loose pants. It is also a good idea to switch to cotton underwear, as synthetic fibers do not always wick away moisture, as well as natural fibers. [3]
Clean Your Skin Gently
It is also important to wash the rash daily using soap and water. However, you need to be gentle and avoid scrubbing, as it will not help in getting rid of your jock itch. You should also choose gentle cleansers to avoid further skin irritations. [3]
After One Use, Wash Everything That Touches Your Skin
Keep in mind that fungi that cause jock itch can live on objects for up to 18 months. Using an item that has fungi on it can undo all your treatments. Therefore, it is essential to wash your clothes, underwear, and towels after every use. It is also important to wash anything that touches the rash as soon as possible, including your bedding. [3]
Things to Look for in a Jock Itch Treatment
Before deciding on what cream, powder, and other types of treatments for jock itch to use, there are important factors that you need to consider. Below are the things that you should look for in a jock itch treatment:
Prevention with Treatment
Along with treating and curing our jock itch and its symptoms, the treatment should also prevent the condition from returning. This could be in the form of creating a defensive layer on the skin that protects it in moist and humid conditions. Other products might serve to kill off the fungus in the affected area so that it doesn’t grow back again. Some items, such as an antifungal powder, might actively prevent the groin area from contracting jock itch in the first place. It does so by absorbing the risky moisture from that place, thus reducing the risk of fungal growth or bacteria spreading.
Price
Some antifungal treatments are more expensive than others. Before clicking the order button, make sure you check the volume of the packaging for your cream, powder, spray, or balm. Some prices might seem quite reasonable, but that could be because they’re in a mere 0.4-ounce packaging. You could also opt to buy in bulk if you’re a regular athlete. This will save you quite a bit in the long run.
Ingredients
The ingredients in an antifungal jock treatment are the main players in its testament, cure, and prevention. Make sure to check these ingredients before placing an order, as you might turn out to be allergic to some of them.
Some people might prefer natural ingredients such as essential oils in their jock itch treatment products. These are easily available, though tea tree oil is the usual choice here. This is logical, as tea tree oil has drying and antioxidant properties, making for an excellent choice to serve as a remedy for jock itch. While it’s not recommended for use in an undiluted form, using tea tree oil with other ingredients could be an effective treatment method.
Convenient Application
Some athletes might not be able to use antifungal creams regularly, especially if they have to suit up, sweat profusely, and shower every single day. Such a routine means that the cream will wash off before it can be effective. In such cases, an antifungal balm or spray might prove to be more convenient.
Age Appropriate
Not all antifungal treatments are suitable for all ages. Kids might develop cases of jock itch, but one can’t use all sorts of creams or any other product on their genital areas as these might result in harm to their development process. If a kid has developed a jock itch, make sure the product you use for them is suitable for their age. The same goes for teenagers as well.
How to Prevent Jock Itch
Aside from learning about the different treatments and remedies for jock itch, it is also essential to learn about how to prevent the condition from developing on your skin. There are several effective ways to reduce your risk for jock itch, and below are some of them:
Always Practice Good Hygiene
Washing your hands regularly is one of the ways to reduce your risk of getting a jock itch from someone else. It is also essential to always keep your skin clean and dry, particularly the area around your groin. [1]
Wear Loose Clothing During Hot or Humid Weather
Wearing loose clothes can help prevent sweating and create the warm, moist environment that fungus loves. This is important, especially during hot or humid weather when most of us sweat more. [1] Tight-fitting clothes may also rub and chafe your skin, which can make you more prone to getting jock itch. [2]
Bathe Daily
It is also very important to take a bath every day. If you are into sports or living an active lifestyle, it is essential to shower or take a bath daily and again after working out or playing sports. [2]
Avoid Sharing Personal Items
One of the ways to stop the spread of jock itch and lower your risk of acquiring it is by not sharing your personal items like towels with other people. Keep in mind that fungi can transfer to items, which can transfer them to your skin, too. [2]
Always Wear Clean Clothes
It is important to wash your workout clothes or sports uniforms after each use. Always change your underwear every day, or more often, if you tend to sweat a lot. When using athletic supporters and cups, always make sure that they are clean. [2]
When To Contact a Doctor About Jock Itch
If the symptoms of your jock itch do not improve after two weeks of home treatments or using over-the-counter creams and powders, making an appointment to see your doctor is important. It’s because it is possible that you have developed a secondary infection that needs immediate treatment. [1]
Conclusion
Jock itch is truly an unpleasant condition as it is itchy and annoying. It can also sting or burn, which can affect your day-to-day activities. But there are many antifungal medications and home remedies that may help you get rid of jock itch. In addition to those, you should also ensure that you do not scratch the affected area as it can spread the fungus to other parts of your body.
Following your doctor’s treatment plan is also important to get rid of the infection fast. The reviews and ratings on products for jock itch treatment can also go a long way in helping us choose the right one. People might have different needs for curing jock itch, as others have certain allergies or preferences for natural ingredients.
Still, it’s best to keep in mind that preventative methods are always better than curative ones. Always keep yourself clean and hydrated and your athletic clothing a bit loose. These and other precautions will hopefully help you have a healthy, safe, and fungus-free experience. We hope this post helped you learn more about the best remedies for jock itch.
References
[1] Nall, R. (2021, November 16). What do you need to know about jock itch? Healthline. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/jock-itch#What-is-jock-itch?
[2] Gardner, S. S. (Ed.). (2022, January 15). Jock itch: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, prevention. WebMD. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/men/causes-and-prevent-jock-itch
[3] Clements, J. (2022, May 24). 8 tips for getting rid of jock itch. GoodRx. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/fungal-infection/jock-itch-tinea-cruris-prevention