WE ALL HAVE had it – an annoying, persistent itch down there that wants to be scratched (and scratched and scratched) no matter where you are or what you are doing. Unpleasant. If it stays, it could be jock itch. The good news is that you are not alone. Jock itch is very common and also very treatable.
“Jock itch, or tinea cruris, is a superficial infection of the groin skin caused by a few different types of fungi,” says Evan Rieder, MD, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Dermatology Associates. It’s most common in men because of the external anatomy of their groin area, which adds friction and contributes to a wetter environment. Plus, especially tight-fitting clothing like the jockstrap will really add fuel to the fire,” says Ross C. Radusky, MD, dermatologist at SoHo Skin & Laser Dermatology (hence the name).
In general, jock itch can be treated and prevented with over-the-counter products, but as with most medical conditions, if it persists or you’re particularly concerned, see a dermatologist for a check-up (and to make sure it’s not something else) . . Dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, MD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics in Fulton, MD, often recommends a prescription antifungal wash to eliminate jock itch, for example. Read on for everything you need to get rid of the itch and stop it coming back — for good.
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To put it bluntly, your crotch can be a breeding ground for the fungus that causes jock itch, especially after a sweaty workout. “If you don’t have time to shower immediately after a workout, the sweat and bacteria that our pores naturally shed down there has nowhere to go. This creates a stormy environment for tinea [fungus]” says Dr. Radusky.
If you have diabetes, you may also be at higher risk. “Diabetes increases your risk of itchiness in two ways: the excess sugar released in your sweat is fantastic food for fungus, and your immune system is generally not as strong, putting you at higher risk for frequent skin infections.” , he guesses .
What are the symptoms of jock itch?
Not surprisingly, the first sign of jock itch is usually an itch, “accompanied by a bright pink or red rash with scaly flakes, usually on the outer edge of the rash,” warns Dr. Radusky. “While it can start at the scrotum or base of the penis and work its way outward, the thighs and buttocks are the most common areas affected.” If left untreated, the rash will continue to spread to your groin, causing cracked skin and occasionally a rash leads to a bad smell.
Can jock itch be prevented?
The best way to prevent jock itch is to shower right after your workout and make sure you dry off as best you can. Consider changing up your workout gear, and wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear might help — synthetic fabrics sometimes don’t wick moisture as well as natural fabrics, warns Dr. Rieder. But don’t go to command hoping that will solve the problem. “This can lead to exposure of the skin to rough fabrics like jeans, which can also be irritating,” says Dr. Rodney. And if you go further, put on your socks before you put on your underwear. The same fungus that causes athlete’s foot also causes jock itch, and “the simple act of threading your feet through your underwear when you get dressed can transmit this fungus all the way to your groin,” says Dr. Radusky.
What if these treatments don’t work?
See a dermatologist, especially if the redness spreads or you notice painful, cracked skin, says Dr. Rodney, who often gives patients a prescription antifungal that is left on for 10 minutes and then rinsed off. “I recommend it because the moisture in the groin area is a major reason fungal organisms thrive there. Because the wash solution is rinsed off after 10 minutes, it doesn’t add moisture to the area (unlike topical antifungal creams). I also prefer it to dry powders because the wash can get into all the tiny crevices and hard-to-reach places,” she says.
The other reason to see a doctor? To make sure what you think is jock itch isn’t actually anything else. “The rashes associated with psoriasis, certain bacterial infections, and yeast look similar, and the treatments are very different,” says Dr. Radusky.
Another option: “Terbinafine, the active ingredient in athlete’s foot medication, can also be used safely and effectively in the intimate area,” says Dr. Rodney.
Garret Munce
Garrett Munce writes about men’s style and grooming.
