Cure Jock Itch

Jock itch is annoying, uncomfortable, and can be a real pain. If you are down with the itch, check out this article.

10 Second Summary

1. Apply an anti-fungal cream.
2. Keep your skin clean and dry.
3. Don't wear tight clothing.
4. Avoid scratching it.
5. See your doctor if it doesn't go away within a few weeks.

Steps

Treatment Options

  1. Use an anti-fungal cream. Your best options include Lamisil, Lotrimin Ultra, and/or Naftin. These are more expensive, but they will get rid of jock itch faster. Prefer Lotrimin Ultra which contains Butenafine Hydrochloride over regular Lotrimin AF which just contains clotrimazole. Studies have shown Butenafine can be faster and more effective than clotrimazole. Furthermore, generic clotrimazole can be purchased for as low as a dollar a tube whereas regular Lotrimin AF (containing clotrimazole) can retail for up to 10 times that amount.
    • You can also purchase cheaper creams containing clotrimazole or miconazole. These will take a little longer to work, but they will effectively wipe out jock itch.[1]
    • Even when the symptoms disappear, you need to apply cream to your groin area for the amount of time specified on the package. Just like you take antibiotics until all of the medicine is gone, you need to follow the full treatment regimen using your cream.
    • Treat athlete's foot at the same time if you have it. Doing this will decrease the risk for recurrence.[2]
  2. Keep your skin clean and dry. Make sure to dry yourself thoroughly after a shower because fungus thrives in warm, moist environments. When you can, either go without underwear or go naked to expose the affected area to air. When that's not feasible, at least wear boxers instead of briefs.
  3. Avoid wearing any clothing that rubs or irritates your crotch. Avoid tight underwear and tight pants of any kind.
  4. Refrain from scratching. Scratching will irritate the rash and could break your skin, creating the potential for infection.
    • Trim your nails if you can't stop scratching. Wear gloves when you're trying to go to sleep at night.
    • Take a cool bath for relief. Sprinkle the water with uncooked oatmeal, baking soda or a substance called colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno is a good brand) that is made specifically for the bath. Just dry your crotch thoroughly when you get out of the tub.[3]
  5. Talk to your doctor if the scaly redness doesn't go away within a couple of weeks, if it starts getting worse or if you notice that it's turned yellow and oozes. Your doctor can offer you a couple of options:
    • Prescription creams: Doctors can prescribe prescription strength anti-fungals including econazole and oxiconazole.
    • Antibiotics: If your jock itch has become infected, doctors can prescribe an antibiotic to help clear up the infection.
    • Oral anti-fungal medications: Sporanox, Diflucan or Lamisil are all medications that your doctor may prescribe for you. You may experience gastrointestinal problems or abnormal liver function. If you're taking antacids or warfarin, you probably shouldn't take these medications. Another option, Grifulvin V, takes longer to work but seems good for people who are allergic to other anti-fungals or who have conditions that makes taking other medications a bad idea.[2]

Preventing Future Episodes of Jock Itch

  1. Shower daily. Don't wait long to shower after you've been perspiring heavily or exercising. Use mild soap and water, and avoid anti-bacterial and deodorant soaps.
  2. Keep your groin clean and dry at all times. If you find you're susceptible to jock itch, then cover your groin or athletic cup with anti-fungal or drying powders after you take a bath or shower.
  3. Avoid clothing or underwear that irritates the area. Choose loose-fitting clothes with smooth fabrics. Wear boxers instead of briefs.
  4. Wash your underwear and athletic supporter frequently. Also, never share your towels or your clothing with other people. Jock itch can spread by contact with unwashed clothing or athletic cups.
  5. Put on your socks before you put on your underwear if you have athlete's foot. Doing this keeps the fungus from spreading to your groin from your feet.
  6. Take off wet swimsuits quickly. Change into something dry.
  7. Avoid carrying wet or sweaty clothing in your gym bag. Also, don't keep damp clothing in your locker. Instead, wash your gym clothes after each use.[1]

Tips

  • Think about switching gyms if you're getting jock itch or athlete's foot frequently. You'll definitely want to consider a cleaner environment.
  • Reduce sugar intake, as it feeds yeast, fungus and bacteria.
  • When it's raging, you may need to shower or bathe twice or more a day, making sure to change your underwear each time.

Warnings

  • Go to a doctor or an emergency room as quickly as practicable if you develop any of the following symptoms other than the rash: fever, weakness, vomiting, rapid spread of the rash (especially to the trunk), swollen glands, lumps in the groin area, drainage of pus, open sores or ulcers, boils, rash that involves your penis or vaginal area, or difficulty urinating.
  • If you have an impaired immune system (e.g., from having diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or atopic dermatitis – a chronic, genetic skin condition characterized by itchy, inflamed skin and associated with asthma and seasonal allergies), you may be more likely to get jock itch. This happens because the skin barriers that normally protect you from viral, bacterial and fungal infections become compromised. Use extra care to prevent and treat jock itch, and watch out for any potential complications when you get jock itch.
  • While jock itch is typically very responsive to treatment, occasionally complications may result, such as permanent change to the skin color, secondary bacterial infection requiring use of antibiotics or potential side effects from the medications.[4]

Things You'll Need

  • Anti-fungal cream
  • Baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal
  • Prescription creams, antibiotics or oral anti-fungal medications (don't over do the antibiotics as they don't always work, try taking natural supplements like, spirulina 550mg and sea kelp 150mg)
  • Mild soap and water
  • Anti-fungal or drying powder (zeasorb powder works best)
  • Loose-fitting clothing and boxers

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=11736
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/jock-itch/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20229553
  3. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/itchy-skin/ds00847/method=print&dsection=all
  4. ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000876.htm#Symptoms
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