Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a contagious skin infection that can be passed from person to person in a number of different ways. The primary way is through skin to skin contact and usually sexual activity. The fungus thrives in moist damp places and sexual activity produces the perfect environment for its transmission and growth. You can dramatically lower your chances of getting jock itch by cleaning and drying the groin area after sex.
Another way jock itch is transmitted is by sharing clothing, towels, or bedding with an infected person. Tinea cruris causes a rash that can crack and flake. The rash may also develop pimples or pustules that ooze. Clothing that contains residual traces of the fungus can easily transfer the fungus to another, unsuspecting victim. Always wash clothing and other items in hot water and antifungal cleansers before using them.
You can also get the skin infection from objects handled by an infected person. Wash exercise equipment, particularly bicycle seats and chairs, before and after using it to reduce your chances of transmitting or getting jock itch. Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) can cause jock itch, so wear sandals when using public showers or walking through pool areas.
Jock itch is only one form of this type of skin infection. It is actually ringworm of the groin, but ringworm can occur on any part of the body. You can spread a ringworm infection from other parts of the body to the groin but touching an infected area and then touching the genitals. Always practice good hygiene and wash your hands before and after handling your genitals.
Female Jock Itch
Men and adolescent boys are the ones most affected by jock itch. However, teenage girls and women can get it too. Wearing underwear or clothing that rubs against the area or doesn’t allow proper ventilation increases a woman’s chances of developing jock itch. Sexual contact with an infected partner is another common way women get tinea cruris.
Jock itch can mimic other vaginal skin problems like yeast infections, so it important to have the condition correctly diagnosed. If you develop a rash and experience itching in the groin area, see your gynecologist as soon as possible for proper diagnosis.
How Long Does Jock Itch Last?
It can be agonizing waiting for jock itch to go away. The itching, burning, and unsightly rash can make the days until it disappears seem like an eternity. So exactly how long does it take for jock itch to go away? That depends on a couple of factors.
If you are healthy and practice good hygiene, jock itch will sometimes go away without treatment. However, it can take up to a month to do so. If you use an antifungal ointment to treat jock itch, it usually goes away within two weeks.
For people that are not healthy, do not practice good hygiene, or have weak immune systems, it can take a lot longer for jock itch to go away even with treatment. The problem people in this category runs into is reoccurrence of the infection. They may cure the first instance of jock itch only to have the skin infection erupt in another place. In cases like these, it can take months for the infection to go away depending on the individual’s physiology.
Another thing that can complicate the healing process is constant contact with the infectious agent. The fungus that causes jock itch can live on inanimate objects for a long time. This is why it is important to thoroughly clean your living space with an antifungal agent if you have the infection. You can be infected again simply by coming into contact with those items, which will extend the healing time.
Facts About Jock Itch
The fungus that causes jock itch lives on the dead skin cells found on the surface of the body. These skin cells can flake off onto objects, and the fungus contained in those cells will continue to be active. If your immune system is healthy, you will not get jock itch through casual contact, such as from a toilet seat. Prolonged skin to skin contact, such as sexual activity, or wearing clothing worn by an infected person can transmit the fungus between humans.
Jock itch is just one variation of this skin infection. Tinea can occur on any part of the body including the head, hands, feet, and face. You are more likely to get jock itch if you already have the infection on another part of your body. It is important to treat all instances of the infection all at once; otherwise you risk a continuous reoccurrence of the problem.
Getting Rid of Jock Itch for Good
If you want to get rid of jock itch for good, then you need to take steps to eradicate the fungus from your environment. First, you need to get diagnosed and start a treatment regimen to kill the fungus causing the infection.
The next thing you need to do is clean your environment with an antifungal agent. The best one is bleach which has been proven to kill most of the germs and fungi that cause illness. Wash everything including bed sheets, towels, underwear, and surfaces. This will prevent a reoccurrence of the infection and help you avoid spreading it to others.
Lastly, it is critical to practice good genital hygiene. Take a shower after exercising and thoroughly dry your groin area. Wear cotton underwear and loose clothing that allows for ventilation and avoids unnecessary rubbing against the skin. Never share clothing or towels with other people, especially if you suspect they have jock itch.