Jock Itch

Also known as

Tinea Cruris

It is a fungal infection of the skin around the groin or the area in between the buttocks. It usually causes a scaly rash that may cause some burning or itching. Treatment is usually with anti-fungal creams or with oral anti-fungal pills.

Most people have a scaly rash in the groin or in between the buttocks. It usually does not involve the skin around the scrotum.
The rash is generally red and scaly with sharp margins. It often spreads outward, with the central part becoming clear as the rash spreads.
In some people, the area may remain darker than normal skin, even after the infection has been fully treated.
The rash may not cause any symptoms but usually it is very itchy. In some cases, it may also cause stinging or burning. The rash is usually not painful.
It can also cause the skin to be wet and “weepy.”

Jock Itch is due to a fungal infection of the skin around the groin and in between the buttocks.

Examination — the doctor usually easily recognizes the typical appearance of the rash.
The doctor may also scrape the rash and examine it under the microscope.

Treatment with any one of the numerous anti-fungal creams.
Usually, the treatment needs to be continued for 1 to 2 weeks. Sometimes, over-the-counter anti-fungal creams are enough. Other times, one may need a prescription-strength cream.
For Jock Itch that does not respond to creams, an oral anti-fungal medicine such as Griseofulvin (250-500 mg twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks), itraconazole (200 mg once a day for 1 week), or terbinafine (250 mg once a day for 1 week) can be used. However, all of these medications are expensive.

General measures used to prevent fungal infections are important. Keep the skin dry — moist skin encourages fungal infections.
Dry all areas of the skin after a bath or after heavy sweating, especially in between skin folds and in the groin area.
Wear loose-fitting clothing.
Change socks frequently – this is especially important for those who have a tendency to perspire a lot.
Try to wear open-toed shoes or sandals.
Use talc or other drying powders to keep dry the areas that perspire a lot, especially the groin. You can even use over-the-counter anti-fungus powders for this purpose.
People using steroid creams, taking steroid pills, or those with diabetes have a higher chance of developing fungal infections, and need to be especially careful.

People who perspire a lot and obese people should be very careful to keep the area around the groin and buttocks dry. Remember, moist skin encourages fungal infections.