What Is Jock Itch?
Jock itch is an infection caused by fungi. It affects the skin near the genital area. It manifests itself in the form of a stinging rash and is common among people who sweat a lot (such as athletes). The medical term for jock itch is tinea cruris. It occurs in the groin area, inner thighs, and buttocks. It occurs mostly among men, although women can also experience it. Jock itch is a contagious infection. It can spread by close skin contact or by sharing clothes and accessories like socks or towels. We will now look at how the various causes of jock itch.
What Causes Jock Itch?
Jock itch is caused due to:
Warmth near the inner thighs and groin area, facilitating fungal infection Skin friction or chafing Excessive perspiration or moisture in the groin area Tight clothing and undergarments that keep sweat trapped
Any or all of the above factors can lead to jock itch. Let us now see who are more likely to contract this infection.
Risk Factors Of Jock Itch
If you are an athlete or engage in intensive workouts, you are more likely to contract jock itch. The infection can also occur if you have issues with excessive perspiration. Other factors include:
Gender: You are more likely to contract jock itch if you are a man.
Body Weight: People who are overweight are more likely to have jock itch. This can be attributed to a greater number of folds on their skin where they are likely to contract an infection.
Profuse Sweating: Excessive moisture on your skin due to sweating can also cause the fungal infection.
Age: If you are a teenager, you are more likely to have jock itch. This is because teenagers are more inclined to be involved in physical activities.
Wearing Tight Clothing And Underwear: Tight clothes can trap moisture and create an environment conducive for a fungal infection.
Diabetes: People with diabetes are susceptible to skin infections like jock itch. If you think you may have a risk factor, you need to be wary of the symptoms.
What Are The Symptoms Of Jock Itch?
Jock itch is characterized by a red and itchy rash. Typically, it first shows its signs on the inner thighs, eventually forming a ring-like pattern. You will observe that the center of the rash looks healed as the rash spreads. A red border will appear, characterized by a line of blisters. If the rash continues to spread, it may infect the groin area, thighs, and buttocks. However, it usually spares the scrotum. The following signs accompany the red rash:
Itching and burning sensation near the rash. Scaling and flaky skin. Sometimes, the rash will not respond to most itch-relieving creams.
Let us now take a look at how jock itch is diagnosed.
How Can You Diagnose Jock Itch?
Just looking at the rash is enough for doctors to diagnose jock itch. In some cases, the doctor may suggest that you send a skin sample to the lab for closer examination. The doctor may also prescribe certain medications. What medication can you take to treat jock itch? Read on to find out.
Medications For Treating Jock Itch
The treatment for jock itch is reasonably simple. It must tackle the rash and the uncomfortable itching sensation. Mostly, jock itch responds to over-the-counter medication. This could include the use of antifungal ointments, sprays, or lotions. However, in certain cases, such medication does not take care of the rash. You must consult your doctor for an antifungal medication with a higher dosage.
When To Visit Your Doctor
Jock itch is not a serious condition, but if it persists longer than it should, you must visit your doctor. Also, if over-the-counter medication fails to show results, a visit to the doctor is necessary. In addition to visiting the doctor, you can also make use of certain simple and effective home remedies.
Home Remedies To Treat Jock Itch
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar possesses antifungal and antimicrobial properties (1). These properties can help prevent the jock itch from spreading, thereby assisting in its healing.
Apple cider vinegar Cotton ball
Do this 2 times daily.
2. Garlic
Garlic contains bioactive compounds, such as ajoene and allicin. They have antifungal properties that fight the infection and can alleviate the symptoms of jock itch (2).
4-5 cloves of garlic 100 mL of olive oil
You can use this remedy 2-3 times a day until the rash heals.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (3). This may help reduce the infection caused by jock itch, thus promoting faster healing of the rash.
A few drops of tea tree oil Warm water
Repeat 2-3 times daily.
4. Honey
Honey is one of the oldest natural remedies for fungal infection. It possesses antifungal properties that can fight the infection caused by jock itch (4), (5).
A sterile cotton ball or gauze One tablespoon of honey
You can repeat this 3-4 times daily.
5. Calendula
Calendula extracts are known to exhibit antifungal properties (6). These can help mitigate the rash caused by the fungal infection.
A sterile cotton ball or gauze 1 tablespoon of calendula oil
Repeat 3-4 times.
6. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil possesses fungistatic and fungicidal properties (7) (8). These properties may help in mitigating the infection that causes jock itch.
A sterile cotton ball or gauze 2-3 drops of lavender oil (and a few drops of coconut oil)
You may try this remedy 3-4 times daily.
7. Coconut Oil
Lauric acid is the main component of coconut oil that exhibits antifungal properties (9). This can help in managing and preventing further infection related to jock itch. 1 teaspoon of virgin coconut oil Repeat 2 times daily for best results.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera possesses antifungal and antiseptic properties (10). This can help inhibit the fungal infection that causes jock itch and also prevent further infection (11). ½ teaspoon of aloe vera gel Apply the gel on the rash 2 times daily.
9. Lemon Essential Oil
Studies show that lemon essential oil can function as a potent antifungal agent (12). Its antifungal properties can help in fighting the infection that causes jock itch.
2-3 drops of lemon essential oil 1-2 drops of carrier oil Cotton ball
You can apply this oil onto the rash once daily. Caution: Lemon oil can cause skin irritation. Make sure to do a patch test before using this remedy.
10. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel contains bioactive compounds that exhibit antimicrobial properties (13). These compounds can help manage the infection that causes jock itch.
Witch hazel extract A sterile cotton ball or Q-tip
You may apply this to the affected area 2-3 times daily.
11. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly contains petrolatum that exhibits antimicrobial and moisturizing properties (14). These properties can help treat jock itch. 1 tablespoon of petroleum jelly You can repeat this until the rash is healed.
12. Onion
Onions contain allicin, an antifungal peptide. This bioactive compound shows potent inhibitory activity on several fungal infections (15). Hence, it may help alleviate the symptoms associated with jock itch.
½ onion Cotton pad
You can repeat this until the rash heals. Caution: Onions may cause a stinging sensation. Make sure to do a patch test before employing this remedy.
13. Neem Leaves
Neem leaves and their constituents have antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties (16). This can help relieve itching.
Neem leaves Water
You can use this 1-2 times a day. These were a few of the home remedies you can use to treat jock itch at home. It is also important to know how to prevent this infection. We will explore the tips in the following section.
Preventing Jock Itch
Here are a few tips to prevent a jock itch:
Maintaining basic hygiene by keeping your body clean. Try to stay as dry as you can. Moisture increases the chances of contracting a fungal infection. Keep your inner thighs and the groin area free of moisture. Use a powder after activities like a workout session to facilitate moisture absorption. Do not wear tight-fitting underwear as this can allow moisture to build up. Wear clean undergarments at all times. Avoid sharing personal items like towels, socks, etc. as this can increase the risk of spreading the infection. Keep your feet covered in public spaces (such as showers or pools) to avoid the risk of infection. People with a weak immune system are more susceptible to fungal infections. Hence, it is important to take care of diet and lifestyle. Limit or reduce intake of simple carbohydrate foods. Stick to leafy vegetables, nuts, and lean protein. Reduce the intake of salt and sugar. Avoid fried and spicy foods.
Is jock itch contagious? To know the easiest remedies to get rid of jock itch, check out the infographic below. Yes, it is contagious. Jock itch can easily spread through close skin contact or by sharing personal items of clothing. Which is the best antifungal cream for jock itch? The best topical antifungal creams are miconazole, clotrimazole, or terbinafine as they can inhibit the aggravation of the fungal infection (17). How long does jock itch take to heal? Jock itch most often heals in 10 days after you start using the prescribed medications and/or the natural remedies. Does scratching make jock itch worse? If you have jock itch, you must avoid touching or scratching the affected area. This prevents it from getting worse. It also prevents the infection from spreading to other parts of your body. Is a yeast infection the same as jock itch? Jock itch is a type of yeast infection. Vaginal yeast infections seen in women are caused by a different type of fungus known as Candida albicans. Is jock itch a sexually transmitted disease? Jock itch is not usually considered a sexually transmitted disease as it can also spread through sharing other infected items. Does hot water hurt or help jock itch? Using hot water can irritate the rash and increase the itching. Use warm water for showering and washing. Does shaving help jock itch? Shaving the pubic areas will keep it clean and dry. It can help reduce the chances of developing a jock itch infection. However, take measures before and after shaving to avoid skin chafing. Is petroleum jelly safe to use for jock itch? Non-adulterated petroleum jelly can help relieve the itching and keep you from scratching when applied at night before going to sleep. How do I reduce the darkness of my skin after jock itch infection? Applying aloe vera gel even after the infection has cleared can help to restore the natural health of your skin and reduce darkness as well.
