What Is Jock Itch? 

Jock itch is a type of fungal infection that affects the groin area, inner thighs, and buttocks. It’s also known as tinea cruris, or ringworm of the groin (tinea is the medical term for ringworm).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f260ac10-df10-4f3c-a3ab-e430484876b9 Jock itch is highly treatable with over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Although jock itch gets its name because it’s common in athletes, the condition is also experienced by people who sweat a lot or who are overweight. While jock itch is far much more common among men, due to the proximity of the scrotum to the thigh and the resulting friction and susceptibility to moisture, women can also be affected.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c2a13cbb-fe3c-4fcc-887b-79e2fb9de3c6 Although it can be uncomfortable, jock itch usually isn’t serious. Treatment may involve keeping the groin area clean and dry and applying topical antifungal medications to the affected skin.
Signs and Symptoms of Jock Itch Symptoms Symptoms typically appear between 4 and 14 days after the skin comes in contact with the fungi that cause ringworm.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297ece0e14-b8fe-444f-ba80-1fa550c6caa1 Jock itch often begins with a reddened area of skin in the crease in the groin, and it usually does not involve the scrotum or penis. It often spreads to the upper thigh in a half-moon shape. The rash may be ring-shaped and bordered with a line of small blisters. It may burn or feel itchy, and the skin may be flaky or scaly.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629fb057b13-a86e-478d-aa4a-63b33e15c506 In lighter skin colors, the active border of a ringworm infection may be any shade of pink or red; in skin of intermediate color, deep red, maroon, or purple; and in darker skin, the border may be subtle, or it may appear purple or grayish.
Causes and Risk Factors of Jock Itch Causes Jock itch is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi naturally live on your skin and normally don’t cause problems.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f3b13f4a-d6c2-495c-8a57-53cb6850def1 However, these fungi multiply quickly when exposed to moisture over an extended period of time (for example, when you remain in sweat-soaked clothes after exercising). This overgrowth of dermatophytes in the groin area causes the infection known as jock itch.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629caf67661-25f2-44c8-8c6a-908a9d78331d The fungus that causes jock itch is highly contagious. You can get it through close personal contact with an infected person or through skin-to-skin contact. The fungus can also be spread through contact with the unwashed clothing of an infected person. Jock itch is often caused by the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762919efff4d-d817-46a4-a2a4-6b89b515c3ed The infection often spreads from the feet to the groin because the fungus can travel on your hands or on a towel. You can also spread the infection by pulling up your underwear or pants if the waistband gets contaminated with the fungus from your feet. Certain risk factors may make you more susceptible to jock itch. These include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294f128259-e3f5-4ac9-9f53-e485d3e98e5a Being male Being a teen or young adult Wearing tight underwear Being overweight Sweating heavily Having a weakened immune system Having diabetes People who are obese are at an increased risk for jock itch because of their moisture-trapping skinfolds. If you have diabetes, your risk of jock itch is increased in two ways: the excess sugar emitted in your sweat provides food for fungus, and your immune system is not as strong in general, making you more at risk for common skin infections. People with compromised immune systems, such as those who have HIV or AIDS, hepatitis, chronic illnesses, or cancer, are also more prone to jock itch.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d054e55f-8e09-415f-bc1f-ed1360e1b9ac You may also be more prone to the infection if you are taking immunosuppressive drugs, such as prednisone (Deltasone). Those on biologic immune-system modifying drugs such as infliximab (Remicade) or etanercept (Enbrel) are also at a higher risk.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b31ba121-45fa-4fe6-a84d-80d361239d24
How Is Jock Itch Diagnosed? Diagnosis Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose jock itch based on how your skin looks. Rarely, doctors may take a small scraping of your skin to look at under a microscope. Tests are usually not necessary. If tests are needed, they may include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629115c8c93-7035-4ce7-aadd-553deb407033 A simple office test called a KOH exam to check for fungus Skin culture A skin biopsy , performed with a special stain called periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) to identify fungus and yeast
Prognosis of Jock Itch Jock itch usually doesn’t go away on its own, but it can be easily treated and cured. Jock itch usually responds promptly to treatment. It is often less severe than other tinea infections, such as athlete’s foot, but may last a long time.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ae5c7d03-7ec0-4ae6-bddf-40ac6aa695b2
Duration of Jock Itch Duration With proper treatment, jock itch should clear up in three to four weeks. If you don’t treat it, jock itch can last for months. This infection often comes back more than once, especially if you also have fungal infections on your feet or toenails.
Treatment and Medication Options for Jock Itch Treatment Jock itch can usually be treated with nonprescription antifungal creams, lotions, or powders applied to the skin for two to four weeks. The nonprescription products available to treat ringworm include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762918cf0867-079e-4c58-9a64-3b1f2482d50d clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche) miconazolel terbinafine (LamISIL) ketoconazole (Nizoral) If you are not responding to over-the-counter medications, your doctor may prescribe something stronger, including these topical medications: econazole oxiconazole (Oxistat) You may also be prescribed one of these oral medications: fluconazole (Diflucan) itraconazole (Sporanox) If you tend to get jock itch, you should continue to apply antifungal or drying powders after bathing to help prevent reoccurrence. Prevention of Jock Itch 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. You should also avoid tight-fitting clothing that can further increase your risk of jock itch. Wearing loose-fitting clothing, especially in hot and humid weather, can prevent sweat from creating the warm, moist environment in which the fungus thrives. Be sure to wash your workout clothes after each use and don’t share clothing, towels, or personal items with others. To avoid spreading athlete’s foot to your groin area, don’t use the same towel you use on your feet for your groin. Putting socks on before underwear can also help prevent you spreading nail and foot fungus (athlete’s feet) to the groin area.
Complications of Jock Itch Complications Complications are uncommon, but you may experience one of the following:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629040d9bca-a699-42ee-b262-3e21b113d6e4 Rash that spreads past the groin and onto the thighs, genitals, and buttocks Secondary skin infections, such as cellulitis or abscess formation from scratching or rubbing Temporary skin discoloration
Research and Statistics: How Common Is Jock Itch? Research and Statistics Some studies estimate that 20 to 25 percent of the world’s population is affected by a superficial fungal infection of the skin or nails at any given time.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762938251be3-7984-44d5-88ba-bf217797ab76 And most people develop at least one type of ringworm infection at some point in their lives.
Conditions Related to Jock Itch Related Conditions Diseases that may mimic jock itch include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290b3383c6-7af4-4fa7-9675-d3e13a3921f5 Psoriasis A common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, psoriasis results in thick scaly patches called plaques. These plaques, which tend to itch, burn, or sting, most commonly appear on the knees, elbows, lower back, or scalp.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297f80634d-f579-45f8-b5cf-9afe62a44301 Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) ACD is a common inflammatory disease of the skin that results in a rash. It is caused by direct contact with allergens such as nickel, poison ivy , rubber products, and paraphenylenediamine (PPDA), an ingredient found in permanent hair dyes.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bdea9215-c014-4774-a3e6-cf98dd86ed94 Hidradenitis Suppurativa This little-known disease, often mistaken for another condition (such as boils, infected hair follicles, or a sexually transmitted disease), causes deep and painful lumps under the skin, usually in the armpits or groin.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629587dcacb-97b7-43d3-8a6b-878608c2ad85 Dandruff (Seborrheic Dermatitis) Dandruff , a common condition considered to be a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis, causes the skin on the scalp to flake. It can almost always be controlled with a medicated shampoo.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296bef4070-2a1d-413c-8fd3-e996680ac78c
Q & A’s
The Takeaway Jock itch, or ringworm of the groin, is a common, contagious fungal infection affecting the groin and thigh area that often causes discomfort, itching, and a rash. While it’s common in athletes, anyone can get jock itch, especially if they are male, sweat a lot, have obesity, wear tight clothing, or live with other medical conditions like diabetes or a compromised immune system. Jock itch usually clears up in three to four weeks, and over-the-counter and prescription lotions, creams, and powders can help to soothe and treat the rash. Staying dry, practicing good hygiene, washing workout clothes after each use, and avoiding sharing personal items might help to reduce a person’s risk of jock itch.
Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: Jock Itch: Symptoms and Causes Cleveland Clinic: Ringworm Medline Plus: Jock Itch Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Treatment for Ringworm American Academy of Dermatology Association: 8 Reasons Your Groin Itches and How to Get Relief