How To Treat Jock Itch?

What is jock itch?

Jock itch is a fungal infection in the groin (which can extend to inner tights and buttocks) area that can be acquired by both sexes. Most of the time males have contracted it. Fungal infection is caused by fungi. Fungi are microorganisms that live everywhere. The Tinea cruris is a fungus that causes the jock itch most of the time. It is a form of ringworm (not a worm at all) that can infect other parts of the body such as hair, nails, skin or membrane.

How does jock itch acquire?

Jock itch is acquired by a poor hygiene and suppressed immune system. Normally, fungi grow on the top of the skin that may or may not infect. Opportunistic fungi can infect when the body is unhealthy and always unclean. Fungi grow in a moist, warm and less ventilated areas in our body. These areas in the body are groin, armpit, between the toes, inner tights, buttocks and even the soles of the feet. Jock itch is also acquired by using others towel, soap, body scrub, clothing, bed and even the use of facilities such as toilet and bathroom, which have been also used by other infected individuals. Athletes and sporty individuals can contract it, due to the fact that their body sweats more that fungi do love most.

Symptoms of Jock Itch

1. Persistent itch with slight pain is felt.
2. Rash on the groin, inner thighs, skin folds and buttocks progresses but spares the scrotum and penis.
3. The rash edges have defined scaly and sometimes blistering structure. Color of the rash in the middle is turning to red-brown color.
4. Attack of itch mostly felt during night time when you are sleeping.
5. Jock itch produces moist when scratching too much.
6. Irritability and discomfort are badly felt.

How does jock itch diagnose?

Visiting a physician/dermatologist can be embarrassing, but it is needed to better understand what is the disease's origin and to establish better therapy. Because sometimes a skin rashes or eczema can be confusing from jock itch. Physician can ask you if you have it before and can scrape the infected area and send it to the laboratory to be examined through microscope.

Treatment for Jock Itch

1. Jock itch can be treated by using antifungal ointments such as clotrimazole, terbinafine, ketoconazole, tioconazole and other antifungal drugs.
2. Zinc containing shampoo or lotion (antidandruff shampoo) can be used as an adjunct treatment. In fact most dandruff are caused by fungi.
3. Adjunct therapy such as use of sulfur containing soap can augment the curative effect of the antifungal drugs.
4. Ventilate the area that is infected. Fungi do not want dry and ventilated environment.
5. Do not use alcohol, body powder, or any superstitious treatment. These may complicate the situation. Body powders contain starch which can provide nutrition for the fungi to strive more.
6. If wounds appear due to excessive scratches, antibiotics can be given to treat bacterial infections. Usually bacteria and fungi can grow together at the same time.
7. Change polyester underwear to cotton underwear.

Prevention

1. Should not borrow or lend personal things from/to other individuals to avoid acquiring the disease.
2. Proper hygiene can help to prevent jock itch. Take a bath everyday and after every strenuous activity. Use a high skin germ protection soap. Change your clothes everyday and never reuse used clothes.
   
3. Avoid wearing tight-fitting and synthetic polyester clothes and underwear. Cotton made clothes are the best to use, because it does not only prevent jock itch to grow but also provide comfort every time you wear it.
4. Eat nutritious food and supplement your body with vitamins and minerals. Strong immune system fights microbes and prevents them to infect you more. Sufficient sleep boosts also the body's defense system.
5. Know if your partner has jock itch or other genital diseases before embarking with intimate activity with him/her. Knowing these things can not only prevent jock itch but also other STDs that could also be transmitted to you.
6. If possible avoid the use of public toilets and bathrooms. These facilities might be infected with fungi. If inevitable, be sure that they are properly cleaned and sanitized.