It might not be comfortable to talk about, but "jock itch" -- or, as your doctor would call it, Tinea Cruris -- is a common and easily spread condition that can affect men and women alike. Jock itch is found around the groin region, where it causes a great deal of discomfort. Because warmth and moisture exacerbate jock itch, any activity that causes sweating or friction in the affected area can increase the itch and burn.
Description
Jock itch got its nickname because it tends to appear on people who perspire heavily, such as athletes, and on anyone who spends too much time in clothing that is damp and close to the skin. Sweaty shorts and underwear that cover the inner thighs, genitals and/or buttocks create a breeding ground for a group of fungi called dermatophytes, which also happens to be the cause of athlete's foot and ringworm.
Infection and Transmission
Dermatophytes love to breed on moist skin, which is why the groin area and feet are so often affected. The fungus can appear spontaneously when the conditions are right, or it can be spread between affected people. Athlete's foot can even be spread to the genitals through direct contact -- for example, if your infected feet were to touch someone else's genitals -- or through indirect contact, e.g., if you were to scratch your feet, then touch your genitals, or someone else's. So even though it sounds like odd advice, it is good practice to wash your hands after scratching your feet or genitals, especially before touching anywhere -- or anyone -- else.
Symptoms and Identification
As with other skin conditions, such as heat rash and eczema, jock itch causes an itching, burning, bumpy rash. You can often distinguish the jock itch rash by its shape. The patches might look like red rings with white, scaly skin in the middle. The rash might also blister. You can see a photo of a typical lesion at Skinipedia.org. Be aware, however, that not every Tinea Cruris rash will look this way. If you suspect jock itch, you should visit your doctor for a definitive diagnosis.
Treatment
Almost any skin rash will be exacerbated by heat, sweat and friction; however, compared with other skin irritations, the discomfort of jock itch does not go away, even after the activity is over, and cannot be cured by applications of regular powder, or anti-itch creams such as hydrocortisone. True jock itch requires an over-the-counter cream or powder, such as miconizole or clotrimazole, or a doctor-prescribed antifungal cream with ketoconizole or terinafine to cure it. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed as well. The affected area should also be kept as dry as possible, and the skin kept clean.
Prevention
One of the best preventive measures to avoid spreading jock itch is to wash your hands whenever you think you have been in contact with it. In addition, PubMed Health, a publication of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, recommends several simple practices for the prevention of jock itch. First, keep the skin around your genitals, buttocks and upper thighs as clean and dry as possible. Secondly, wear loose-fitting underwear and clothing, and try to find smooth-textured fabrics that won't irritate your skin. Third, wash your clothes, especially athletic supporters, regularly to eliminate sweat and kill any existing fungi. Finally, apply regular or antifungal powder to your groin to help keep the area uninhabitable for the jock itch fungus.
