Tinea cruris commonly called jock itch. It is a skin infection that belongs to the family of fungal skin infections called tinea. It is an itchy, red, and ring-shaped rash caused by dermatophytes (mold-like fungi). Typically, they are harmless, but when they are allowed growing in warm or moist areas, they reproduce quickly and cause skin infections.
That’s why jock itch skin infection mostly develops on the skin located around the groin, inner thighs, and other moist areas of your body. It is more prevalent in overweight and sweaty people. Jock itch is very bothersome, but it isn’t serious. If you keep your groin area clean and dry, you can avoid this condition.
Symptoms Of Jock Itch
The common symptoms of jock itch include:
- Redness of skin
- Itchy and burning sensation
- Peeling or cracking skin
- Changes in the colour of skin
- Half-moon shaped rashes that don’t improve and spreads over time
Causes Of Jock Itch
When you stay in wet clothes for a long time, the moisture allows the fungi(dermatophytes) to multiply quickly. This overgrowth of dermatophytes in a moist area of your body causes an infection known as jock itch. Jock itch, a highly contagious fungal infection and carries through close contact or through unwashed clothes of an infected person.
It is thought that only athletes might develop this infection, but the fact is, it can occur to anyone. Especially those who are overweight are more prone to experience jock itch because the fungus mostly develops in folds of skin, that is prone to sweating.
Treatment For Jock Itch at Padma Clinic
If your symptoms don’t cure within two weeks with home treatments, consult a doctor immediately.
The doctor might suggest an antifungal cream or lotion, such as:
- Miconazole
- Naftifine
- Ketoconazole
- Clotrimazole etc.
Sometimes he might suggest oral medications like
- Itraconazole (terbinafine)
- Fluconazole (Diflucan)