ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Jock itch

What is jock itch?

4 May 2021

It consists of a fungal infection that causes reddish skin rashes, burning, and itching in body parts that are little exposed to light, with high humidity and temperature, generally affecting the inguinal area and the inner thighs.

Also known as tinea cruris, jock itch is very common in people who play sports or exercise regularly, as well as in individuals who suffer from excessive sweating due to obesity or some other condition.

Although it is annoying and uncomfortable, it is not a serious condition, so treatment consists only of topical application of antifungal creams, good hygiene, and not allowing moisture to build up in the affected area.

The fungi responsible for jock itch, which are usually the same ones that cause athlete’s foot, can be spread directly by contact with someone infected, sharing clothing or towels, as well as touching contaminated feet and transferring the fungus to the groin.

Signs and symptoms Jock itch

  • Redness in the groin area and upper inner thigh.
  • Round-shaped rash surrounded by small blisters.
  • Burning.
  • Itch.
  • Scaling.

If the skin rashes are painful, you have a high fever, or you do not see improvement after 15 days of applying antifungals, see your doctor to receive specialized treatment promptly.

Potential risks:

  • High sweating.
  • Depressed immune system.
  • Diabetes.
  • Being male
  • Childhood or adolescence.
  • Wearing too tight clothing.
  • Overweight and obesity.

How can I prevent it?

  • Keeping the inguinal and genital area dry.
  • Changing sweaty clothes for clean ones as many times as necessary during the day.
  • Avoid wearing tight clothing.
  • Not sharing towels or personal care items.
  • Preventing the spread of athlete’s foot, using sandals in common humid areas. 

Diagnosis and treatment Jock itch

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination, paying special attention to the affected area, and diagnosing the characteristic rash of jock itch at a glance. If there are doubts, they will take a sample of the lesions to analyze them in the laboratory and confirm the diagnosis.

The treatment to follow for mild cases consists of antifungal cream or solution for topical application in the affected area for several weeks to kill the fungi and prevent reinfection.

In severe cases, in addition to topical medications, you’ll be prescribed oral antifungals to more effectively eradicate fungus.

At the ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, of chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Jock itch

Internal medicine
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • topdoctors.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • cun.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Conejo FA, Martínez-Roig A, Ramírez BO, et al. Extracto del «Documento de consenso SEIP-AEPap-SEPEAP sobre la etiología, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de las infecciones cutáneas micóticas de manejo ambulatorio». Parte 1. Rev Latin Infect Pediatr. 2017;30(2):48-56.
  • Padilla-Desgarennes MC, Morales-Sánchez MA, Lazo-García EC. Epidemiología de la tiña incógnita en el Centro Dermatológico «Dr. Ladislao de la Pascua». Rev Cent Dermatol Pascua. 2014;23(3):85-89.
  • Valks R, Asbati M, Sandin S, et al. Tiña incógnita y eczema profesional. Med Cutan Iber Lat Am. 2003;31(2):119-120.
  • Galván-Martínez IL, Fernández-Martínez R, Narro-Llorente R, et al. Frecuencia de tiña del cuerpo en un hospital del estado de Quintana Roo. Med Int Mex. 2017;33(1):5-11.

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