What Causes Jock Itch?
Anyone who has ever had jock itch (tinea cruris) knows how uncomfortable it is. The itching and the unpleasant looking rash make most people wish they could have prevented the onset of the skin infection in the first place. Knowing the causes of jock itch can help you deftly sidestep the infection.
Jock Itch Causes
Jock itch is a common skin infection that thrives in warm moist places. A common cause of jock itch is allowing the groin area to remain moist for long periods of time. This often occurs because of participation in sports or exercise that lead to sweating around the genitals or from not drying the groin area thoroughly after showering. Taking a shower directly after exercising and making sure the area is dry can prevent the fungus that causes jock itch from taking hold.
Other causes of jock itch include:
- Skin to skin contact with an infected person
- Intimate contact with the spores on an infected object
- Developing athlete’s foot or a ringworm infection in other parts of the body
- Friction caused by clothing that is too tight
- Not changing underwear often enough
- Diabetes
- Poor overall health
- Taking broad-spectrum antibiotics
- Wearing wet clothing, like bathing suits, for long periods of time
- Obesity
- Suppressed or weak immune function
- Poor hygiene
- Excessive sweating
Preventing Jock Itch
Good hygiene will prevent most cases of jock itch. Wash the groin area with soap and water after exercising or participating in sexual activity. Avoid using creams, lotions, and other products in that area that contain irritants like perfumes. Using an antifungal powder on the groin can inhibit the growth of the fungus that causes jock itch.
Minimize the moisture that accrues in that area by wearing cotton underwear and loose fitting clothing that allows maximum ventilation. Be certain to change your underwear on a regular basis, particularly after exercising or sweating. Keep clothing and workout gear free of infectious spores by washing them in hot water using an antifungal cleaning agent such as bleach.
You are more likely to get jock itch if you have a fungal infection on other parts of the body. Treat athlete’s foot and other tinea infections as soon as possible. Avoid walking barefoot on questionable surfaces such as shower and pool floors. If you have athlete’s foot, put socks on your feet before putting on your underwear to avoid any possible transfer.
Jock Itch Prognosis
Jock itch is not life-threatening and generally responds to treatment. The only complication that may arise from not treating the skin infection is it may spread to other parts of the body, the skin affected may permanently change colors, and the fungal infection may lead to the onset of secondary bacterial infections.
Treat Jock Itch
Treating jock itch is easy. The primary way to get rid of the skin infection is to use a topical medication that kills the fungus, which will also eliminate the other symptoms of jock itch. We have reviewed hundreds of jock itch treatment products and only found a few that really eliminated the infection quickly and without the side effects you may experience with other medications. Click here to read our reviews of these popular and effective jock itch remedies.
If your skin infection is severe, caused by a bacteria rather than a fungus, or your immune system is weakened, your doctor may prescribe a medication like erythromycin. This is an antibiotic that works by reducing the production of proteins that bacteria need to survive. This medication can cause side effects like dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea, so it is important to talk to your doctor about the benefits and disadvantages of using it.