Smart Shopping for Jock Itch Treatments

Jock itch is a fungal infection found on the skin. Tinea cruris, the fungus that causes jock itch, is the same fungus that causes athlete's foot and ringworm. Tinea lives on the skin under normal circumstances but flourishes in warm, moist areas such as in the groin, between the toes and between skin folds. It appears as an itchy, reddish area that spreads outward from a central point. Because athletes sweat, and because locker rooms are warm, moist places, tinea is especially common among people who frequently play sports. It is mildly contagious and can be transmitted via a damp towel or skin-to-skin contact.

Preventing jock itch is easy enough. Be sure to dry yourself thoroughly after showering or swimming. Applying powder to troublesome areas can absorb moisture and stave off even the beginning of jock itch. It is important to know that athlete's foot is the same fungus, and reinfection can occur when the groin is exposed to underwear that have been pulled over infected feet. Putting on socks before underwear and treating athlete's foot at the same time you treat jock itch goes a long way toward resolving this issue.

Sometimes it is not even necessary to treat jock itch. If you have a healthy immune system and a mild case of it, it might simply go away on its own. Otherwise, there are several quality powders, sprays and creams sold over-the-counter that kill the fungus and restore skin to normalcy. Follow the instructions that come with the product, and be sure to finish the recommended treatment time, even if your symptoms go away.

If jock itch does not respond to over-the-counter remedies, there are prescription strength options, both topical and oral. Keeping yourself as dry as possible and treating jock itch early on will probably eliminate the need for prescription interventions.

What to Look for

When purchasing an over-the-counter treatment, make sure it is specific to jock itch or athlete's foot, since both are caused by a specific fungus. The two main types of topical treatments are classified as azoles and allylamines. Both are effective, and whichever you use is really a matter of personal preference. Azoles generally cost less yet require a longer length of treatment. Allylamines treat infections faster but cost more.

Common Pitfalls

Because of the supposed effectiveness, oral treatments for jock itch and other fungus infections are tempting. These should be used only if all topical interventions fail. In general, the oral medications used to treat fungus are overkill for ordinary cases and unnecessarily harsh on the kidneys.