Jock Itch

This Care Guide Covers:

If not, see these topics

When to Call Your Doctor

	Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
	You feel weak or very sick Fever
	Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
	You think you need to be seen You are a woman (jock itch is less common in women) Rash is painful to touch Boil or infected-looking sore
	Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
	You have other questions or concerns Have diabetes Have a weak immune system (HIV positive, cancer chemo, long-term steroid use, splenectomy) You are worried you might have an STD Using over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for 1 week and rash is not better Using OTC treatment for 2 weeks and rash has not gone away
	Self Care at Home If
	Slowly spreading, itchy, pink-red rash on the inner thigh(s) next to scrotum

Causes & Health Information

Some Basics...

Jock itch is a fungal infection. It grows best on the warm, damp skin of the inner thigh. It is also called "Tinea Cruris." It is most often caused by the same fungal infection that causes athlete's foot.
A person can get jock itch from sweating a lot. This causes wetness in the groin area. It can also be caused by friction from clothing.
Jock itch is much more common in men than women.
Most people can treat jock itch at home using an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream.

CARE ADVICE FOR JOCK ITCH

What You Should Know:
- Jock itch is a fungal infection. It grows best on the warm, damp skin of the inner thigh. It is also called "Tinea Cruris." It is most often caused by the same fungal infection that causes athlete's foot.
- Most people can treat jock itch using an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream.
- You can treat jock itch at home.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Genital Hygiene:
- Keep your penis and scrotal area clean. Wash this area 1 time a day with un-scented soap and water.
- After washing, dry the groin area before the feet. This will stop the spread of fungus to your groin.
- Keep your penis and scrotal area dry.
- Wear cotton underwear. It breathes and keeps you drier. Avoid nylon or tight fitting underwear.
Antifungal Cream for Treatment of Jock Itch: Put antifungal cream on the area of itching and rash 2 times per day. Put it on the rash and 1 inch outside of its borders. Keep using the cream for at least 7 days after the rash has gone away.
- Sold over-the-counter (OTC) in the United States as clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). It is also sold as miconazole (Micatin, Monistat-Derm).
- Sold OTC in Canada as clotrimazole (Clotrimazole cream). It is also sold as miconazole (Micatin Cream, Micozole, Monistat-Derm).
What to Expect: The rash should fully go away in 2-3 weeks.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Rash is not better after 1 week on treatment
- Rash is not fully gone by 3 weeks
- Fever or pain occurs
- You get worse

Remember! Call your doctor if any of the "When to Call" symptoms occur.

Jock Itch
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