Jock itch
What is jock itch?
Jock itch is an uncomfortable itchy, red rash in the groin area, caused by a fungal skin infection. It is referred to as jock itch, because athletes (colloquially known as 'jocks') commonly get the condition. However, anyone can potentially develop it, particularly individuals who have a fungal skin infection elsewhere on the body.
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Groin
The area where the abdomen joins the thighs.
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Fungal
Relating to a fungus, an organism from the fungi kingdom, which is a separate group to plants or animals, and includes yeasts, molds and mushrooms.
Causes
Jock itch, which is medically known as tinea cruris, is a common fungal skin infection, caused by a group of mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi also cause other skin infections (collectively known as tinea) such as athlete's foot, when it affects the feet, and ringworm, when it affects other areas of the body. The fungi live off dead skin cells and thrive in warm, moist surfaces, such as those found in the groin when it gets sweaty. You can catch these fungi from close contact with someone who has tinea, or contact with unwashed clothing or towels used by someone with tinea.
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Groin
The area where the abdomen joins the thighs.
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Ringworm
A common skin infection that can appear anywhere on the body. It is not due to a worm, but rather a fungus that causes a ring-shaped rash. It is also known as tinea.
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Fungal
Relating to a fungus, an organism from the fungi kingdom, which is a separate group to plants or animals, and includes yeasts, molds and mushrooms.
Risk factors
Anyone can develop jock itch, however, athletes more commonly get it due to regular sweating while playing sports, chafing from wearing protective clothing and/or sharing clothes. It is also more common in men. The risk of developing jock itch can be increased by being obese, which results in moisture being trapped in skin folds. Medical conditions, such as diabetes, increase the risk by lowering the body's immune defenses. The severity of jock itch can vary upon the presence of these underlying risk factors.
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Diabetes
A metabolic disorder that is caused by problems with insulin secretion and regulation and which is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Also known as diabetes mellitus.
Signs and symptoms
The common symptoms are itching, chafing and/or burning in the groin, thigh and anal area. There is often a characteristic red, raised rash that commonly has a ring-shape, which spreads down the inner thighs from the groin area (much like ringworm elsewhere on the body).
Jock itch rash in the groin area.
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Groin
The area where the abdomen joins the thighs.
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Ringworm
A common skin infection that can appear anywhere on the body. It is not due to a worm, but rather a fungus that causes a ring-shaped rash. It is also known as tinea.
Methods for diagnosis
Potassium hydroxide exam
A scraping of your skin from the affected area is added to potassium hydroxide (KOH) and examined under a microscope. KOH destroys non-fungal cells, making it easier to see if any fungal cells are present.
Fungal culture
If fungus is present on the skin, it can be cultured using a special gel plate that selectively grows it.
Skin biopsy
A skin biopsy is performed only when other skin infections need to be ruled out.
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Skin biopsy
A diagnostic procedure in which a sample of skin is removed and tested for abnormalities including cancer and infection.
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Fungal
Relating to a fungus, an organism from the fungi kingdom, which is a separate group to plants or animals, and includes yeasts, molds and mushrooms.
Types of treatment
Good hygiene practices
Regularly bathing followed by thorough drying with clean towels, particularly using a separate towel for the affected area, will help to contain the infection. Changing your clothes, especially the underwear or other clothing in direct contact with the affected area, at least daily, will also help.
Antifungals
Jock itch can be treated with topical antifungal creams that are available over the counter, such as ketoconazole and terbinafine, applied directly to the affected area. Oral antifungal medications such as fluconazole are used for infections that don't respond well to topical cream. Treatment for some time after symptoms have subsided is required to prevent it returning. It is also advisable to treat other fungal skin infections, e.g. athlete's foot, to prevent spread throughout the body. If symptoms persist for longer than two weeks, seeing your doctor will help.
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Fungal
Relating to a fungus, an organism from the fungi kingdom, which is a separate group to plants or animals, and includes yeasts, molds and mushrooms.
Potential complications
Antifungal side effects
Oral antifungal medications can cause nausea and liver damage if used for a prolonged period of time. Antifungals applied to the skin (topical) can cause itching and a burning sensation.
Tinea
Jock itch spreads easily to other parts of the body, where it can cause tinea and athlete's foot.
Bacterial infection
Jock itch can cause breaks in the skin, which can lead to concurrent bacterial infections that will require separate treatment with antibiotics and may also cause permanent scarring.
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Antifungals
A medication that kills fungi or inhibits their growth.
Prognosis
Although jock itch can usually be cured, it is common for it to come back.
Prevention
Maintaining good hygiene by washing and drying properly, washing linen and towels in hot water and not sharing them with others, can help prevent the spread of jock itch.
References
- Antifungal Medicines - Side effects - NHS Choices. Accessed 16 September 2014 from link here
- Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. Accessed 16 September 2014 from link here
- Diagnosis and Management of Common Tinea Infections - American Family Physician. Accessed 16 September 2014 from link here
- Epidemiology of dermatophytoses: retrospective... [New Microbiol. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI. Accessed 16 September 2014 from link here
- Jock itch | University of Maryland Medical Center. Accessed 16 September 2014 from link here
- Mycology Online | Dermatophytosis. Accessed 16 September 2014 from link here
- Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira - Efficacy of topical antifungal drugs in different dermatomycoses: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Accessed 16 September 2014 from link here
10 Most frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Jock itch, medically known as tinea cruris, is an uncomfortable itchy, red rash in the groin area, caused by a fungal skin infection. What are the symptoms of jock itch? The common symptoms of jock itch are itching, chafing and/or burning in the groin, the thigh and the anal area. There is often a characteristic red, raised ring-shaped rash that spreads down the inner thighs from the groin area. Jock itch is a common fungal skin infection, caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. The fungi live off dead skin cells and thrive in warm, moist surfaces, such as those found in the groin when it gets sweaty. You can catch these fungi from close contact with someone who has tinea, or from being in contact with unwashed clothing or towels used by someone with tinea. How is jock itch diagnosed? Jock itch can be diagnosed by the following tests: 1) Potassium hydroxide exam - a scraping of your skin from the affected area is added to potassium hydroxide (KOH) and examined under a microscope. KOH destroys non-fungal cells, making it easier to see if any fungal cells are present. 2) Fungal culture - if fungus is present on the skin, it can be cultured using a special gel plate that selectively grows it. 3) A skin biopsy, in which a sample of skin is removed and tested for abnormalities such as an infection. It is performed only when other skin infections need to be ruled out. How is jock itch treated? Treatment for jock itch includes: Good hygiene practices: bathing regularly, then thorough drying with clean towels, particularly using a separate towel for the affected area compared to the rest of the body (to prevent spread), will help to contain the infection. Changing your clothes, especially the underwear or other clothing in direct contact with the affected area, at least daily, will also help. Jock itch can be treated with topical antifungal creams that are available over the counter, such as ketoconazole and terbinafine, applied directly to the affected area. Oral antifungal medications such as fluconazole are used for infections that don't respond well to topical cream. To prevent jock itch from returning, treatment needs to continue for some time after the symptoms have cleared. Will jock itch clear on its own? Jock itch will not clear on its own. If you have jock itch you will need to use antifungal medications to get rid of the fungus causing the infection. Medication has to be taken for some time after symptoms disappear, otherwise the infection can return. Can jock itch be prevented? Maintaining good hygiene by washing and drying yourself properly, washing linen and towels in hot water and not sharing them with others, can help prevent the spread of jock itch. Anyone can get jock itch, however, athletes are more prone to it due to regular sweating whilst playing sports, chafing from wearing protective clothing, and/or sharing clothes. It is also more common in men. The risk of developing jock itch can be increased by being obese, because moisture can remain for a long time in skin folds. Medical conditions such as diabetes increase the risk of jock itch by lowering the body's immune defenses. Jock itch is contagious; it is passed by direct contact with the dermatophyte fungus. Will jock itch keep coming back? Although jock itch can usually be cured, it is common for it to come back. To prevent it from returning, you will need to continue treatment for some time after symptoms have cleared.
Related topics
Tinea, also known as ringworm, is a common skin infection with a characteristic ring-like appearance. It is caused by several types of fungus and can appear on different parts of the body including the scalp, chest, feet, groin, face, hands and nails. Tinea is very contagious but easily treated. Athlete's foot (Tinea) is a fungal infection that causes itchy blisters which usually occur between the toes. Treatment options, such as antifungal creams, can improve symptoms within a few weeks. Acne is a common skin condition that causes outbreaks of pimples and cysts, mainly on the face, back, arms and chest. It occurs when hair follicles become blocked with oil and/or debris, such as dead skin cells. Anyone can get acne, but it's more common during the teenage years. Treatment options are available to help prevent and treat acne. Contact dermatitis is inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritant or something that induces an allergic reaction. It commonly presents as a red, itchy skin rash usually on the hands or face. Avoiding the cause once identified can prevent it happening it the future.