What is Jock Itch?

Jock itch is a prevalent rash that causes itchiness of the groin area. Jock itch can cause an extreme itch without being pink or red rash that’s usually present in the genitals and groin folds. Jock itch chiefly affects men.

The symptoms of jock itch can appear and go away, and majority of jock itch cases heal on their own naturally without any treatments. Jock itch mainly affects the groin area, although it can hit the inner thighs or genital area. Most prone areas are penis, labia, scrotum, anus and vaginal opening.

Jock itch is noticed in healthy patients but individuals suffering diabetes and/or being overweight are more vulnerable. Probable causes of this frequent groin itch are due to irritation from tight or coarse underwear, too much moisture due to sweating, skin rasping, allergy problems, fungus related infection, yeast infection due to Candida Albicans and bacterial overpopulation or a skin disease.

In order to cure fungus related jock itch a doctor may prescribe single or a mixture of antifungal soaps to rinse the groin followed by antifungal cream applications, and at times complemented by antifungal oral drugs. Treatment of jock itch which is not due to fungal infection may require simple and adequate groin hygiene. It’s vital to keep the groin area dry and clean. It’s recommended to wash the area with soap that’s gentle on your skin after perspiring or sports activities.

Jock itch exposes itself as red or pink rash on the areas of the groin folds. There could be scaly dry rash, or a group of little, pinpoint red or pink bumps at hair follicles. At times, you may not see the rash at all.

What causes jock itch?

Jock itch is a result of inflammation of the skin in the groin area. This inflammation could be due to plain mechanical friction, bacterial and yeast infections, or other skin diseases. Causes of jock itch can also be due to:
-    Warmth, moisture, and skin rubbing in the groin folds
-    Tight underwear or clothes that promote sweat
-    Being exposed to Fungus, bacteria or yeast contaminated surfaces or objects

Other skin infections that can cause jock itch:

-    Candida albicans yeast
-    Fungus medically termed as Trichophyton
-    Fungus from a family of Epidermophyton floccosum

Jock itch is most prevalent among senior and middle-aged male individuals. However anyone is susceptible jock itch, which is believed to be present in almost everyone at some point in their lives.

There’s a certain group of people who are more vulnerable to jock itch. These individuals have other serious health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and those with weakened immune system as a result of HIV/AIDS, chronic illnesses, hepatitis, cancer, chemotherapy, immunosuppresant medications such as prednisone, and those on biologic immune system interfering drugs like infliximabor or etanercept.

What are signs and symptoms of jock itch?

Jock itch normally starts with mild on and off itching sensation in the groin folds. The itching might get worse over time and turn unbearable at a later stage. The rash is normally found on both parts of the groin and hits the folds area.

The rash will turn rough, dry, and bumpy. It may even produce pus bumps and start to ooze. At times rash on the uppermost skin subsides while spreading further down to the thigh area. The itching and rash may go further to the genital area affecting the labia, vagina, penis, anus and scrotum.

Women might notice vaginal white discharge and yeast infection. Men could get infections on the head of the penis, particularly if they have not had circumcision.

Serious cases can be inconvenient and bring other complications with them. Some of them include breaks in the skin, ulcers, open sores, and even cellulitis.

How to diagnose jock itch?

In order to diagnose jock itch the doctor will usually assess the patient based on the symptoms and skin condition.

In some instances, a skin biopsy might be required to assist the doctor to make sure the diagnosis is accurate. Skin biopsy involves surgically pulling a tiny piece of skin after sedating the area for histopathological examination of the tissue under the microscope. This will help determine atypical or widespread cases. Sometimes tissue analysis can help to rule out other possible problems. At times, a skin swab or culture is analyzed in the laboratory condition to check for infections that could be causing the jock itch. Normally, no special laboratory exams are needed to diagnose common jock itch. Unfortunately imaging examinations such as X-rays or CT scans are not helpful at all. A bacterial culture is helpful to look for bacteria’s presence such as Staphylococcus on the skin. Microscopic skin analysis and fungal exams with potassium hydroxide can help to ensure if the jock itch is caused by a fungus or yeast. It is because other medical problems can appear just like jock itch and need to be tested further by a dermatologist.

Medical conditions that may appear as jock itch are:

-    ringworm (tinea cruris)
-    eczema, impetigo, atopic dermatitis, intertrigo, erythrasma, irritant or contact dermatitis
-    dry skin, heat rash and inverse psoriasis.

Jock itch can also be due to athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis. The identical fungus that triggers athlete’s foot in a person can actually infect the groin in some instances. It is vital people with jock itch to look for rashes on their feet. Spread of the fungus normally starts when fungus pass onto the crotch of the pants when getting dressed. Any foot infections have to be cured to stop recurrence of the jock itch.

How to treat jock itch?

There are a lot of treatment choices and skin-care mixtures to treat jock itch. Since the two key causes of jock itch are too much moisture and fungus related infections, treatment will depend on the defined cause of the jock itch. Treatments of jock itch due to skin irritations and too much of moisture must be addressed with simple hygienic practices such as keeping the groin dry and clean. Treatment of fungal jock itch may also involve antifungal creams applied throughout the period two to four weeks.

It is vital to remember that there’s no consistently effective therapy that works for all people. The doctor can only assist you to find out the cause of your jock itch and then follow the best proven methods or practices.

Home remedy for jock itch

If you were not aware there are a few home remedies and practices that might help bring some relief for mild jock itch, however this is for milder instances of jock itch:

- Try practicing basic hygiene by washing the groin skin 2 to 3 times a day using a gentle soap free cleansers such as Cetaphil and water or soap free cleanser from Dove.
- Keep the groin area dry at all times
- Try to avoid any kind of skin friction in the groin area not to cause irritation. Always wear 100% cotton clothes so that they don’t trap heat and cause sweating
- Don’t use bleaches, fabric softeners, harsh laundry powders as the remaining chemicals may aggravate your jock itch rashes
- Try to combine over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment and clotrimazole solution 1 to 2 times a day onto the jock itch area.

Natural treatments for jock itch

Here are some popular natural home remedies for jock itch:

-    Cleansing the jock itch affected rash or spot daily with a washcloth soaked in diluted white vinegar. Dilute 1 part vinegar with 4 parts of water and then dry the skin with dry, clean towel.
-    Having a bathtub daily or every other day with very diluted Clorox bleach. Dilute 1 quarter cup of Clorox bleach in a bathtub filled with water and then dry the skin.