Treatment for jock itch is quick and usually effective, but the condition often comes back. When To Call A ProfessionalĬall your doctor whenever you develop a skin rash. Men should wear boxer shorts rather than briefs. You also should avoid hot baths and tight-fitting clothing. The affected skin also starts to itch less. The itching can be alleviated with an over-the-counter treatment such as Sarna lotion. During the jock itch healing stages, the rash begins to disappear and your skin starts looking more normal. You can apply powder daily to help keep the area dry. Untreated athlete's foot can cause jock itch to return.īecause jock itch commonly comes back, you need to be extra cautious. If you have athlete's foot, your doctor should treat that as well. Most likely, your doctor will prescribe a topical antifungal treatment for you to apply once or twice a day for at least two weeks.

Wear sandals in the shower area at the gym and swimming pool.

Do not share clothing or towels with others wash towels frequently.

Shower immediately after athletic activities.

Dry yourself well after showers and baths.Here are other steps you can take to remain fungus-free: Remaining healthy through diet, rest and exercise is the first step in avoiding fungal infection. The healthier you are, the less likely you are to get a fungal infection. Treatment for chronic (long-lasting) infections may last one or two months. Jock itch usually can be treated within weeks, although it commonly comes back. Other causes of a rash in the groin include yeast infection of the skin, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. With stubborn cases, your doctor may send the sample to a laboratory to pinpoint the fungus that's causing the trouble. Your doctor may gently scrape the skin to get a sample to look for fungi under the microscope. Your doctor often can make the diagnosis just by looking at the rash. Jock itch can spread to the pubic and genital regions and sometimes to the buttocks. The border is sharply marked, slightly raised and often beefy red in color. It spreads outward in a ringlike circular pattern while the center clears up partially. SymptomsĪ flat, red, itchy rash first appears high on the inner side of one or both thighs. The jock itch fungus may cause a rash on the upper and inner thighs, the armpits, and the area just underneath the breasts Many people with tinea cruris also have athlete's foot. It occurs more commonly in men, but can affect women as well. This creates an environment in which fungi multiply and flourish. Jock itch can develop when tight garments trap moisture and heat. Tinea is the name of the fungus cruris comes from the Latin word for leg. Although there are many causes of jock itch, this term has become synonymous with tinea cruris, a common fungal infection that affects the groin and inner thighs.

The term 'jock itch' typically describes an itchy rash in the groin.

Jock itch stages of healing