What is Jock Itch?
Jock refers to “a person trained to participate in competitive sports”; the term is usually used for young male athletes.
Picture 1. Jock itch – Tinea cruris (source: Samuel Freire da Silva, M.D., atlasdermatologico << click and search for ‘Tinea cruris’ for additional images)
Jock itch(other names: Tinea cruris, tinea or ringworm of the groin, dhobi itch, scrot rot) is a fungal infection affecting the moist skin on inner thighs, genitals, anal area, or buttocks, appearing in both men and women. Affected skin is covered by red or brown rash that may be ring-shaped. Rash may itch or burn; affected skin may peel off or crack.
What Causes Jock Itch?
Jock itch is usually caused by fungi that normally live on the skin (dermatophytes), but in the healthy person their growth is maintained under control. In moist areas like the groin, these fungi may overgrow and cause infection. The group of fungi usually involved is called Tinea cruris (Greek crus = limb), but infection can also spread from athletes foot (caused by Tinea pedis) or from scalp fungal infection (caused by Tinea capitis). The common name for these fungi is ringworm, since the rash they cause often has a shape of ring.
How is Jock Itch Spread?
Jock itch is easily spread with sharing towels or sportswear, or with sexual contact.
Who Gets Infected?
Adult men that often have moist groin are often infected. Jock itch may also appear in women. It rarely appears before 15 years of age. Risk factors for getting jock itch are:
- Wet groin; (male athletes, dhobi itch is known in western washermen)
- Tight underwear
- Obesity; infection occurs in wet skin folds
- Immunodeficiency: AIDS, diabetes
How is Jock Itch Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of jock itch is made by doctor’s inspection. In doubtful cases, rash can be scrapped and sent into microbiological laboratory.
Rash in the groin may be caused by other types of fungi (Candida albicans), viruses (Herpes genitalis), bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), allergies (itchy pants syndrome, cholinergic urticaria), inverted psoriasis, Darier’s disease, Hailey-Hailey disease (pemphigus), intertrigo, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.
Treatment of Jock Itch with Antifungal Medications
Antifungal ointments (over-the-counter) for mild infection (1):
- Terbinafine (Lamisil)
- Naftifine (Naftin)
- Miconazole (Micatin)
- Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
If over-the-counter ointments don’t help in few days, other potent drugs should be used:
- Ointments such as Econazole (Spectazole), or Oxiconazole (Oxistat)
- Medications by mouth such as Itraconazole (Sporanox), or Fluconazole (Diflucan)
- Terbinafine (Lamisil)
Prevention of Jock Itch
To prevent jock itch:
- shower or bath daily and after each sport activity or work
- keep groin area dry by wearing boxer pants and airy trousers
- don’t share towels and sportswear with anyone
Further Reading:
References:
- Jock itch treatment (mayoclinic.com)
Further Reading :
I was given doxycycline for 2 weeks for popssible prostate infection. Into the second week I started getting rectal itching and a rash. Called Dr he said to use hydrocortisone for 2 weeks if it comes back or doesn’t get better come back in. It started to come back and got worse he looked at it and said it’s now a fungal infection gave me Augmentin antibiotic and oxistat cream. He said there were 4 or 5 fissures? I guess open sores. It’s been 2 days and thought I would see some improvement. Any suggestions?