Conditions & Diseases: Skin Diseases

Jock Itch (tinea cruris)

Definition: Jock itch is the colloquial term for tinea cruris, which is a fungal infection of the groin. Jock itch is characterized by a rash that itches on the groin which can spread to areas where it is warm and moist due to perspiration - like the inner thighs, genitals, perineum and anus.

There are 4 different fungi associated with jock itch which include:(3)

1. Trichophyton rubrum (most common cause)
2. Candida albicans
3. Trichophyton mentagrophytes
4. Epidermophyton floccosum

The fungus is spread through contact with fungi spores which may survive on clothing, towels, dead skin cells and other items for a long time.

Dr. Heather Brannon notes: "The warm, moist environment is the perfect place for the fungus to grow. Anything that enhances that environment puts the person at risk of getting jock itch. Therefore, wearing sweaty, wet clothing in the summer time or wearing several layers of clothing in the wintertime causes an increased incidence of jock itch. Men are affected more often than women." (2)

Symptoms:

• Itching and irritation in the groin.
• Raised patches of red, scaly skin with sharp borders.

The rash or infected area may enlarge over time without adequate treatment."The rash of jock itch starts in the groin fold usually on both sides. If the rash advances, it usually advances down the inner thigh. The advancing edge is redder and more raised than areas that have been infected longer. The advancing edge is usually scaly and very easily distinguished or well demarcated. The skin within the border turns a reddish-brown and loses much of its scale." (2)

Treatment: Jock itch usually responds well to self-treatment at home. See your doctor if your condition worsens or is still present after 2 weeks of self-treatment. Over-the-counter antifungal creams are quite effective in treating most cases of jock itch. Common names for these antifungal creams include:

• Tinactin (main ingredient, tolnaftate)
• Lotrimin (main ingredient, clotrimazole)
• Micatin (main ingredient, miconazole)

Follow the directions on the label when using these creams. If the rash persists, or in severe cases, your doctor may treat the rash and symptoms with a topical steroid and prescription strength antifungal creams. Along with antifungal creams, and topical steroids, the patient should keep the area clean and dry and wear loose fitting clothing that "breathes" such as cotton.

Prevention: Jock itch can be easily prevented by taking the following precautions:

• Keep your groin area dry.
• Wear loose fitting clothes made of natural fibers.
• Avoid wearing rough-textured clothing or clothing that rubs your skin.
• If your job or sports activity leaves you hot and sweaty, take a shower as soon as you can, apply talc or other powder to the groin area, and change into a clean pair of clothes.
• Do not dry yourself with unclean towels or towels used by other people.
• Following sports practice or game, wash your clothes immediately. Do not store them for long periods of time your gym back or locker. This environment can cause the fungus to remain on the clothing items and grow. (1, 2, 3, 4)

Article by Jason Morrow,
OmniMedicalSearch.com

Sources:
(1) MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Tinea Cruris, April 2005
(2) dermatology.about.com, Jock Itch, Heather Brannon, MD, March 2006
(3) Wikipedia.org, Jock Itch, October 2006
(4) University of Michigan Health System, McKeenson Provider Technologies, Jock Itch, September 2005