Jock Itch

Jock itch is an itchy rash that happens in your groin (crotch). It's a fungal infection that grows in warm, damp areas.

You’re more likely to get jock itch if:

• You’re a man, because moisture can get trapped between your scrotum and thigh

• The weather is warm

• You’re wearing wet and tight clothing

• You're overweight and have folds of skin

Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris)

Image

Image courtesy of www.doctorfungus.org © 2005.

Symptoms include:

• A red, itchy rash on your crotch and sometimes upper thighs

• The rash may have a scaly pink border

• A bad case of jock itch can be painful

Doctors can usually tell it's jock itch by looking at it. Rarely, doctors may take a small scraping of your skin to look at under a microscope.

Doctors treat jock itch with:

• Antifungal cream you put on your skin

• Sometimes, medicine by mouth

This infection often comes back more than once, especially if you also have fungal infections on your feet or toenails (athlete's foot), because fungi can spread from those areas to your crotch.