Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a form of ringworm.
Ringworm is not a worm at all. It is a fungal infection of the outer
layers of skin, hair, or nails. Fungi (plural of fungus) are present everywhere
in our environment.
Ringworm of the skin appears as a rash with
patches that may be red or peeling or that have bumps on the edges that look
like blisters. The skin often is itchy, and the rash can spread
quickly. You can have both jock itch and athlete's foot (tinea
pedis) at the same time.
Jock itch is caused by a fungus. Fungi
commonly grow on or in the top layer of skin. They may or may not cause an
infection. Fungi grow best in warm, moist areas of the body such as the groin,
inner thighs, and buttocks.
As the name suggests, jock itch mostly
affects male athletes, but anyone can get it. Using public showers and locker
rooms increases your chances of getting jock itch. Fungi grow best in the
steamy rooms among damp towels, sweaty workout clothes, and wet floors. So it's
not surprising that jock itch and athlete's foot often occur at the same time,
since both are caused by fungi.
Symptoms of jock itch include the following:
- Itching and pain are common.
- A rash is on the groin, skin folds, inner thighs, or
buttocks. The rash usually does not occur on the scrotum or penis.
- The edge of the rash is very distinct and may be scaly or have bumps
that look like blisters.
- The center of the rash may have a red-brown color.
Remedies
for Jock Itch
1.
Alcohol
Alcohol
helps kill fungi that causes jock itch and keeps the skin around the groin dry.
Use alcohol that is 90% isopropyl. Dab a cotton ball in the alcohol and apply
on the affected area. Alcohol evaporates immediately, so you do not have to
wash it off. Do this 4 to 5 times in a day until the itch subsides.
2. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Apple cider
vinegar is a strong anti-fungal that checks different kinds of skin
inflammations. Mix two cups of warm water with two tablespoons of apple cider
vinegar. Use the mixture to wash the affected area and let it dry (do not wash
off with water). Do this thrice a day.
3. Bleach
Bleach has
three-in-one properties and is ideal for treating jock itch. Fill a bath tub
with water and add ¼ cup of bleach to it. Now soak your body in the water for
15 minutes. Do this every day or on every alternate day. The itch will
subside quickly. Do not forget to wash your body with regular water afterwards.
4.
Listerine
Listerine mouthwash
has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that ward off the red inflammation
on skin. Apply Listerine mouthwash on the affected areas using a
cotton ball. Let the solution dry.
Note- Do
not use Listerine, if you have any open wounds around the groin area.
5. White
Vinegar
Mix vinegar
and warm water in the ratio 1:4. Soak a cloth or handkerchief in the solution.
Wipe the affected area with this cloth and allow the solution to dry. Do not
rinse it off. Repeat this two times in a day.
- Another option is to mix equal amounts
of coconut oil and vinegar. Apply the mixture on the affected area and
leave it overnight. Wash it off in the morning and repeat again until the
infection clears off.
6. Salt
Bath
Salt helps prevent
the infection as well as treats blisters. You can use any type of salt for this
treatment. Fill a bath tub with water and add 200 grams of salt to it.
Soak your body in the water for 30 minutes and then wash it off with regular
warm water. Do this every day at night before going to bed.
7. Onion
Make an
onion paste and apply it on the affected area. Keep it on for half an hour and
then rinse it off with water. You can also use onion oil or juice instead of
the paste.
8. Honey
Honey makes
the skin smooth. To treat fungal infections such as jock itch,
use manuka honey on the affected areas. Wash it off with warm water
after 30 minutes and pat dry.
- Mix two tablespoons of honey with ½ teaspoon of minced garlic and apply it onto the affected skin. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then wash off. Try any one of these remedies at least twice in a day.
Garlic has
anti-fungal properties that help cure jock itch. People with sensitive skin
should not use this remedy, as it can cause a burning sensation.
- Apply garlic paste on the affected
skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash it off and pat dry. Repeat it 3 times in a
day.
- Fry a few cloves of garlic in 1
tablespoon of olive oil. Strain the oil and let it cool down. Now apply
the oil onto the affected area before you sack out. Wash it off in the
morning. Do this daily until the infection clears off.
10.
Baking Soda
Make a paste
by mixing baking soda with water. Apply it on the infected skin. After 20
minutes, wash it off with water and pat the skin dry.
11.
Coconut Oil
Use coconut
oil in its purest form. Wash the area and pat it dry. Next apply coconut oil on
the infected skin and let it be there. Do this two times in a day.
12. Corn
Starch
Sprinkle
corn starch on the affected area of the groin. It will keep that area dry. Do
this after every 4 hours.
13.
Oatmeal Bath
Add two cups
of powdered oatmeal to a bath tub. Soak your body in the tub for 20 minutes.
Massage the groin area with the water. Repeat this every night before you hit
the hay.
14. Baby
Powder
Baby powder
is very useful for keeping the moist areas of our body dry. Sprinkle baby
powder generously in the areas where you sweat the most.
15.
Sunlight
Sunlight
helps kill any type of fungal infection. Walking in the sun, especially in the
morning, is ideal for patients suffering from acute jock infection.
16.
Anti-dandruff Shampoo
Washing the
groin area with a good anti-dandruff shampoo will help clear the boils and blisters.
How to prevent jock itch?
You can help
prevent jock itch by keeping your groin, inner thighs, and buttocks clean and
dry. Dry off well after you exercise and shower. Try these other
steps to prevent jock itch:
- Wash your workout clothes,
underwear, socks, and towels after each use.
- Wear shower shoes when you use public
showers and locker rooms.
- If you have athlete's foot, you should
treat it. During treatment, put your socks on before you put on your
underwear. This will prevent the spread of the fungus from your feet to
your groin.
- If you keep getting athlete's foot,
dry your feet last when you towel off after a shower or bath.
This can help prevent spreading infection from your feet to your groin
REMEMBER
Most ringworm infections
of the skin, such as jock itch, can be treated at home with anti fungal creams
and powders you can buy without a prescription. But have your doctor look at
any infection that does not go away, is severe, or comes back.