Top 5+ Home Remedies to Get Rid of Jock Itch Naturally

what is Jock Itch?

Jock itch is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes, colloquially known as ringworm. The fungus feeds on and lives in the dead skin cells found on the dermis. This is the main reason why the infection is so contagious. The dead skin cells can flake off onto objects, people, and animals and cause an infection under the right conditions.

Also called jock itch, tinea cruris can develop if the groin area is moist for a long time, from friction caused by too tight clothing, poor hygiene, or through contact with infected persons or objects. This skin infection affects mainly adolescent boys and men, but women can develop it too.

Symptoms of Jock Itch

The primary symptom of jock itch is a red, scaly rash that appears on the groin, skin folds, or anus. If the infection spreads, it typically does so to the inner thighs. The rash may flake, crack, blister and ooze, and is usually redder around the edges and bare in the center. A person with tinea cruris may experience itching in the affected area and the skin may turn abnormally light or dark. Jock itch by itself does not smell, but may cause an unpleasant odor if combined with sweat and bacteria.

Jock itch is sometimes misdiagnosed as candidal intertrigo, which is a skin infection caused by the Candida albicans fungus. However, the rash caused by candidal intertrigo tends to be redder and wetter and may form on the penis (jock itch doesn’t). Candidal intertrigo infections also heal a lot quicker than jock itch.

Causes: How Do You Get Jock Itch?

People who become infected with jock itch (tinea cruris) often wonder how they contracted the infection in the first place. There are several things that can cause jock itch. Being aware of these risk factors can aid you in avoiding jock itch altogether.

1. Excess Moisture

Jock itch loves to live in warm damp places, especially the folds of the skin. A common cause of jock itch is allowing the groin area to remain moist for long periods of time. Often this is due to athletic gear that prevents proper ventilation and allows sweat to collect around the genitals. Another issue is failing to fully dry the area after taking a shower or bath. Wearing a wet bathing suit for long periods of time can also cause jock itch.

2. Tight Clothing

Wearing tight underwear or pants often results in unnecessary friction in the groin area. This can cause skin abrasions that lead to the onset of jock itch. Additionally, tight clothing doesn’t allow for good ventilation of the genitals which may lead to trapped moisture. Men should wear cotton boxer shorts and women should wear loose cotton panties that absorb moisture and allow air to circulate. Avoid wearing tight clothing for extended periods of time.

3. Contact with Infected Person or Object

The fungus that causes jock itch feeds on and lives in the dead skin cells on the dermis. These skin cells can flake off onto objects where the fungus remains active. Touching your groin area with an infected object can lead to jock itch as does skin to skin contact with an infected person. Men are more likely to get jock itch and transfer it to their female partners. However, women can transmit the infection to their sexual partners also.

4. Other Fungal Infections

If you have fungal infections on other parts of your body, such as athlete’s foot, you are more likely to get jock itch. This is typically due to transference of the fungi from one part of the body to another due to poor hygiene. For example, you may touch your infected foot and then your groin area without washing your hands.

Get Rid of Jock Itch

Although jock itch is contagious, it is easily treatable. The best way to get rid of jock itch is to use an all-natural topical cream that will kill the infection quickly and let you get on with your life.

If the problem is severe, spreads to other parts of the body, or your immune system is suppressed for some reason, your doctor may prescribe a strong topical antifungal cream or an antibiotic medication that will treat jock itch from the inside out. Whichever treatment option you choose, it is important to use it for the entire recommended time to fully treat the condition. Frequently, the symptoms of jock itch will go away within a few days but the fungus will remain active. Stopping treatment before the recommended time could lead to another outbreak.

Treatment of Jock Itch

Most of the time, jock itch can be diagnosed via visual inspection of the affected area. If there is any question about the diagnosis, a doctor may take a scraping of the rash and conduct a potassium hydroxide test to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, he or she may need to send the scrapings to be cultured and it can take a few days to receive confirmation. It is important to be sure that the rash is tinea cruris. If the infection is treated using the wrong medications, complications can arise.

The standard course of treatment for jock itch is antifungal lotion or cream that contains tolnaftate, clotrimazole, or miconazole. Mild infections usually go away within 2 weeks.

If the tinea cruris is treatment resistant, spreads to other parts of the body, or your immune system is compromised, then your doctor may prescribe jock itch medication. This medication may take the form of a stronger antifungal cream or an oral medication like griseofulvin. Many people successfully treat jock itch using these medications, but it is important to remember that prescription drugs can cause side effects like diarrhea, headache, and nausea.

There are alternative medications made with all-natural ingredients that will quickly and safely heal jock itch without unpleasant side effects.

Popular Jock Itch Home Remedies

In addition to keeping the area dry and avoiding clothing that rubs or irritates the area, you may have some success with a few home remedies designed to treat jock itch. Staying healthy is one way of preventing jock itch from occurring in the first place.

People with a strong immune system can sometimes fight the infection before it becomes a problem. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and avoid refined foods that contain excess amounts of sugar and fat.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been used to treat numerous hair, skin, and nail issues such as nail fungus. It contains antifungal and antibacterial properties that get rid of jock itch naturally without the use of any added chemicals that may further irritate the skin. The great thing about is apple cider vinegar can be found on any grocery store shelf and typically only costs a couple of dollars.

To use this remedy, mix two tablespoons of the vinegar with two cups of warm water. It may be helpful to put this mixture in a spray bottle as you’ll be using it multiple times. Spray the affected area with the mixture and wash thoroughly. Let the skin air dry before putting on clothing. Treat the area at least two to three times per day until the infection goes away.

Be aware that the vinegar may sting, especially if you’ve been scratching. If the sensation is too much for you, rinse the area with cool water. Additionally, the vinegar may smell a little, so take appropriate measures.

2. Salt Bath

One of the problems with having jock itch is it can be difficult to keep the area dry enough to let the skin heal. Salt is a natural absorbent that will help keep the skin dry in the area by soaking up any excess moisture.

To use this method, simply add several tablespoons of table salt to a warm bath and soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Another option is to mix table salt with warm water and soak a clean washcloth in the mixture. Then place the cloth over the affected part of your genitals for about 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse and dry the area thoroughly. Treat the area with this method two to three times each day for at least three days.

Like the vinegar, the salt may cause mild irritation.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is another powerhouse homeopathic remedy that has been used for hundreds of years to treat a number of skin conditions. This oil has antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties that kill the infection and help alleviate irritation and itching in the best way possible.

There are a couple of different ways you can use this oil. You can put a few drops on a cotton ball and apply it directly to the infected skin twice per day. However, this oil sometimes causes an intense burning sensation. To alleviate this, combine the oil with another one such as coconut or olive before using it. Following up with a session in a tanning bed and compound the benefits of tea tree oil because it will help dry out the genital area.

Another option is to add a few drops of the oil to a warm bath and soak for at least 15 minutes. Do this once per day and be sure to dry the area thoroughly afterwards. Alternatively, you can use bath products that contain tea tree oil. This is a convenient way to get the benefits of the oil while minimizing mess.

4. Listerine

Another way of getting rid of jock itch at home is to use Listerine. This mouthwash is a strong antiseptic well known for killing germs in the mouth and preventing gum disease. However, it also has antifungal and antibacterial properties that make it ideal for use as a jock itch treatment.

Soak a cotton ball in Listerine and apply to the infected area three to four times per day. The mouthwash also contains alcohol, so it may sting or burn at first. However, this should subside after a few minutes. It can take several months of consistent use for the infection to heal.

5. Diaper Rash Cream

Diaper rash cream is designed to treat a similar type of rash in babies and young children. Most forms contain zinc oxide, which forms a protective layer to keep out moisture and provide relief from itching and irritation. One of the benefits of using this product is that it’s formulated to gentle to the skin and is less likely to cause problems.

To use, simply apply the cream as directed on the package.

6. Onion

Another home remedy is to use onions. Onions have natural antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties that help fight off the fungus that causes jock itch. Not only can you apply the vegetable directly to the rash to treat the disease, you can increase the benefit you receive from onions by adding them to your diet and eating them on a regular basis.

The simplest way to use onion is to purchase onion juice or onion oil. Use a cotton ball to dab the affected area with the liquid and let the skin air dry. Another option is to cut a piece of raw onion and grind it into a paste. Apply the solution to the rash and let sit for half an hour. Rinse off completely using warm water. You’ll want to use either treatment option at least twice per day until the infection disappears.

7. Garlic

Garlic is another powerful herb that has proven to have a number of health benefits such as protecting the heart. It has antifungal and antibiotic properties as well as sulfur compounds that can aid in eradicating a jock itch infection. Like onions, garlic can be used directly on the skin and eaten to provide internal and external healing.

Raw garlic helps boosts the immune system, so adding it to your diet can help strengthen your body so you can fight the infection from the inside out.

To use the garlic externally, crush a clove into a paste and apply to the skin. Let it sit for 5 minutes before washing it off with warm water. Another option is to fry garlic in a few tablespoons of olive oil. Let the oil cool for a few minutes, strain, and then apply to the skin. Leave it on for several hours before washing off. Use either of these treatments two to three times per day.

Garlic does have a pungent smell, so you’ll need to take appropriate measures if you plan to be around other people.

8. Bleach

Bleach is a caustic chemical designed to kill a wide variety of bacteria, funguses, and viruses including jock itch fast. It is extremely powerful, and probably the fastest way to get rid of jock itch. At the same time, it can burn your skin if you don’t use appropriately.

The bleach can only be used if it’s diluted with water. One way you can do this is to add about 50 ml of bleach to a tub of water (warm to tepid) and soak in it for 20 minutes. Avoid rubbing your eyes while your hands are wet. The bleach will kill the fungus and prevent it from spreading further or to other parts of your body. After the bath, rinse your body with clean warm water and dry thoroughly. You shouldn’t need to do this treatment more than once or twice.

If the bleach makes the skin the area too dry, follow up with a little bit of aloe vera. This will add some moisture back into the skin while also providing alleviating itching and inflammation.

9. Baking Soda

Like salt, baking soda is an absorbent substance. Not only does it work great at making baked goods rise, it also absorbs water and odors. In addition to absorbing excess moisture from the rash, the baking soda will sooth any irritation you feel and alleviate itching.

Combine a little bit of baking soda with water and apply the paste to the skin. After 15 minutes, wash it off with warm water and dry the skin thoroughly. This treatment should be done twice per day until the rash fades away.

Other substances include Isopropyl alcohol, another over-the-counter product that may inhibit the growth of the tinea cruris fungus. Whatever you do, always keep the area clean and dry to prevent the infection from returning or spreading.

Prognosis

Jock itch is a mild disease that can be easily cured when you use effective medication, home remedies, or other simple methods. Even left untreated, the infection will usually resolve on its own, albeit it may take longer than if you actively treated it. Most of the time, the disease will go undetected by others and will not spread to other parts of your body. However, on the rare occasion, possible complications from not treating the skin infection is it may spread to other parts of the body, the skin affected may permanently change colors, the fungal infection may lead to the onset of secondary bacterial infections and cause disfigurement or extreme distress.

When You Should See a Doctor

If the infection

• Doesn’t respond to any treatment
• Persists for one to two weeks
• Gets worse or continues to spread all over the genitals
• Causes sores, pus, or abscesses in the area

Or You

• Come down with a fever or chills
• Develop a red streak that runs from the groin area
• Experience increased pain or discomfort

You should see your personal physician for an examination. You may be infected with something other than jock itch, or the disease may have evolved into something worse. Only a doctor can properly diagnose the problem.

Tips for Preventing Jock Itch from Spreading

There are several things you can do to prevent jock itch from spreading all over your body. The primary way is to treat the affected area as soon as possible. The longer you treat the area with an antifungal product, the less contagious it becomes because you are killing the fungus.

While there are several prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications you can use to treat jock itch, many of these products can cause side effects. For a natural remedy that will eliminate jock itch quickly and without the problems associated with using prescription medications, take a look at the top jock itch remedies we reviewed and recommend.

Practicing good hygiene is another way to prevent the spread of jock itch to other parts of the body. Always wash your hands after touching an affected area. This will also prevent you from passing the infection to other people.

Use a separate washcloth and towel when washing your genitals. Make sure to wash these items in hot water with an antifungal cleanser like bleach. This will kill any fungus that transfers to the towels and prevent transmission to other parts of your body. It is also a good idea to clean your environment on a regular basis using an antifungal agent for the same reason.