Jock Itch

Also known as tinea cruris or scrot rot (in British English), jock itch is an infection caused by a fungus that appears in the groin area of either men or women, but it is most prevalent in men. As the name implies, jock itch tends to cause strong itching or burning sensations. In addition, the skin in the groin area, which may include the genitals, the upper inner thighs, the buttocks, the perineum and the anus, darkens to varying shades of red, tan or brown and begins to flake, ripple, peel or crack as well as swelling and forming raised sores, oozing blisters and scaly patches.

Causes of Jock Itch

The damp, warm, cloistered and dark environment of the groin area provides a perfect arena for the following fungi to thrive and multiply and a weakened immune system prevents the body from fighting off the opportunistic fungal parasite: Trichophyton rubrum is the most common fungus causing jock itch that, under the microscope, looks like translucent, branching, rod-shaped filaments or hyphae; Tinea pedis is the fungus which also causes athlete’s foot. A few other fungi known to cause jock itch are Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum. Tight clothing causes the affected groin area to sweat and clothing which rubs against the infected skin exacerbates the condition and prolongs the unpleasant symptoms.

Treating Jock Itch

There are numerous remedies for treating the jock itch infection and for relieving its symptoms:

1/ Antifungal drugs in the form of topical creams or ointments such as tolnaftate, clotrimazole, miconazole and butenafine are applied directly to the infected areas. These antifungal drugs stop the fungi from producing essential components for their cell membranes and, therefore, this leads to the ultimate death of the fungus.

2/ To reduce the itching and burning, gluccocorticoid steroids are often used in conjunction with the antifungal drugs but never on their own because this may worsen the fungal infection. Gluccocorticoid steroids will also decrease the risk of a secondary bacterial infection that may be caused by scratching and which may then require antibiotics.

3/ To fight the jock itch more naturally –

- Wearing soft cloth and loose fitting clothing.
- The affected area must be kept clean and dry.
- Clothing, towels, blankets or bed sheets which come in contact with the fungus must be changed daily to avoid transmitting the fungus to other parts of the body.
- Talcum powder will help retain the area’s dryness and medicated powders containing menthol or zinc oxide will alleviate the itching.
- Anti-dandruff shampoos often have anti-fungus compounds such as pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide and ketoconazole (Nizoral). Anti-dandruff shampoos are, therefore, great for cleansing the distressed groin area.
- Garlic contains allicin which has anti-fungal properties.
- Tea tree oil is also a natural anti fungal.

The best medicine is the preventive kind and the surest way to prevent jock itch is by employing the same methods that are used to relieve it and they are:

4/ Keeping the groin area clean and dry at all times.
5/ Avoiding clothing that is overly tight, rough in texture and rubbing the groin area.
6/ Daily washing athletic supports such as jockstraps.
7/ Applying medicated powders after every bathing.

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