Hello readers, in this article I’m writing about a common health issue called as jock itch. Most people are shy or don’t like tell about this or take medication, even if they have this problem. So I thought to write about the symptoms of jock itch and what are the treatments for jock itch and some home remedies for jock itch. So let’s get on to the article. 

Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a form of ringworm. Ringworm is not a worm at all. It is a fungal infection of the outer layers of skin, hair, or nails. Fungi (plural of fungus) are present everywhere in our environment.

Ringworm of the skin appears as a rash with patches that may be red or peeling or that has bumps on the edges that look like blisters. The skin often is itchy, and the rash can spread quickly. You can have both jock itch and athlete's foot (tinea pedis) at the same time.

Jock itch is caused by a fungus. Fungi commonly grow on or in the top layer of skin. They may or may not cause an infection. Fungi grow best in warm, moist areas of the body such as the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks.

As the name suggests, jock itch mostly affects male athletes, but anyone can get it. Using public showers and locker rooms increases your chances of getting jock itch. Fungi grow best in the steamy rooms among damp towels, sweaty workout clothes, and wet floors. So it's not surprising that jock itch and athlete's foot often occur at the same time, since both are caused by fungi.

Common symptoms of jock itch include:

Jock itch typically affects the groin and inner thighs. It may spread to the abdomen and buttocks, but the scrotum usually isn’t affected.

Your doctor will likely be able to diagnose jock itch simply by performing a physical exam and inspecting the affected area of skin. In some cases, your doctor may take some scrapings of skin cells from the area to help with diagnosing the condition. This may also help rule out other skin disorders, such as psoriasis.

Most ringworm infections of the skin, such as jock itch, can be treated at home with antifungal creams and powders you can buy without a prescription. But have your doctor look at any infection that does not go away, is severe, or comes back. To treat jock itch, follow these steps:

    Wash the rash with soap and water. Spread an antifungal cream over the rash. Apply the cream beyond the edge of the rash.

    Use an antifungal cream or powder that contains terbinafine, miconazole, or clotrimazole. You can buy these products without a prescription. Brand names include Lamisil, Lotrimin, Micatin, and Monistat. Follow the directions on the package, and don't stop using the medicine just because your symptoms go away. Use the medicine exactly as the label says. If symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks, call your doctor.

    In rare cases, ringworm of the skin causes large areas of blisters. If your ringworm forms blisters, you can use compresses (such as Burow's compress, which you can buy without a prescription) to soothe and dry out the blisters. After the skin is dried out, use antifungal creams that you can buy without a prescription.

    If you have jock itch and athlete's foot, you should treat both to prevent reinfecting your groin when you put on your underwear.

In most cases, jock itch can be treated at home effectively. You can try the following remedies to get rid of the infection:

If your symptoms don’t improve after two weeks of home treatments, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. You may have developed a secondary infection that needs prompt treatment.

If you do have jock itch, but it’s not responding to over-the-counter medications and home remedies, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Possible medications include:

Oral antifungal medications may cause unpleasant side effects, such as upset stomach and headaches. If you experience any of these side effects, make sure to discuss them with your doctor.

Practicing good hygiene is the best defense against jock itch. Regular hand-washing can greatly reduce your risk of getting this infection from someone else. It’s also important to keep your skin clean and dry, especially the area around your groin. Wash the area regularly with soap and dry the area thoroughly after bathing. Applying baby powder around the groin can also be helpful for preventing excess moisture.

Avoiding tight-fitting clothing further reduces your risk of getting jock itch. Tight clothes can rub or chafe your skin, which makes you more susceptible to jock itch. You may want to try wearing boxer shorts instead of boxer briefs. It’s also beneficial to wear loose-fitting clothing in hot or humid weather. Loose clothing can prevent sweating and the warm, moist environment in which fungus thrives. Make sure you wash any workout clothes or athletic supporters after each use.

Athlete’s foot is another infection that can be caused by the same fungi that cause jock itch. If you have athlete’s foot, treat it quickly. You can avoid spreading it to your groin area by making sure you don’t use the same towel you use on your feet for your groin.

You can help prevent jock itch by keeping your groin, inner thighs, and buttocks clean and dry. Dry off well after you exercise and shower. Try these other steps to prevent jock itch:

    If you have athlete's foot, you should treat it. During treatment, put your socks on before you put on your underwear. This will prevent the spread of the fungus from your feet to your groin.

    If you keep getting athlete's foot, dry your feet last when you towel off after a shower or bath. This can help prevent spreading infection from your feet to your groin.

So this is the end of the article. Hope you learn something from this article. Please comment share and like to this article.

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Source -  WebMD and Healthline