So you think you have Jock Itch

Jock itch is one of the many fungus infections that our bodies love to get. If you're into Latin, you can tell everyone that you have tinea cruris, if you tell them anything at all. Fungi love to grow in warm, dark, moist areas, and your groin is a perfect fungi farm. Keeping sweaty clothing on for too long, not changing out of a wet bathing suit all day, and even wearing clothing that is too tight, or made of synthetic materials that do not wick moisture away from your body, can all cause this fungus to thrive. Men seem to get the condition more than women do, but women are not exempt!

Not just for your crotch

Trichophyton rubrum, the actual fungus that causes all of the trouble, is the same fungus that causes problems for your toes, feet, and elsewhere. When it takes up residence in your groin area it usually starts in your groin fold which is that area where the very top of your legs meet that oh-so-personal area. From there it makes its way down your inner thigh. The very edges of the affected area are usually bright red and raised and will appear scaly. The rest of the affected area will generally turn reddish-brown and the scale will not be present.

If you're thinking that you have jock itch, but your penis and scrotum are also affected, then you're more than likely experiencing Candida Albicans, or the good old fashioned yeast infection instead. Yes, guys get yeast infections too, although not as frequently as women do.

There are other rashes that favor the groin area as well. One, called intertrigo, is caused by the friction of moist skin rubbing against moist skin. This is a condition that is often seen in people who are seriously overweight.

The other jock rash look alike is called erythrasma. Rather than being a fungus infection, this one is caused by bacteria. The best way to identify this condition is that the actual edges of the rash will not be raised, and there will not be any scales or blisters present.

Treating Jock Itch

Never self-diagnose. Even if your rash looks 100% like what is described in this article, you need to get a doctor's opinion.

Once your doctor confirms that you have jock itch you will either be given a prescription or advised to purchase an over-the-counter anti-fungal medication. More often than not you will be applying a cream or ointment. Follow your doctor's instructions to the word and don't stop using the medicine too soon. Just because the rash has cleared up doesn't mean that you're all set. Your doctor will generally want you to continue using the medicine for at least one week after all symptoms have disappeared.

Prevention is more fun than treatment

It's better to try and avoid getting jock itch to begin with. Remember, your body sweats in the summer and winter, so follow these precautions all year round! Don't wear tight clothing. Try and keep your fabric selections to cotton, wool, or synthetic materials that will wick moisture away from your body. If your groin area gets wet, dry it as soon as possible. When you are drying it, use your own towel and don't borrow someone else's. Apply a little anti-fungal body powder, or a cornstarch powder, to your groin area if you have a tendency to sweat a lot. An apple a day keeps the doctor away but it doesn't do much for your crotch. So follow these helpful hints and you'll hopefully never have to grapple with the decision to add tinea cruris to your vocabulary.