• jock itch

Treating Jock Itch: What You Need to Know

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Conditions like jock itch are much more common than most people realize. Around the world, somewhere between 20% and 25% of people deal with jock itch and similar conditions caused by cutaneous mycoses. In the United States alone, there of been almost 30 million reports of similar fungal infections.

Because jock itch is so common, the bad news is that there is a significant chance that you will develop it at some point in your life. However, the good news is that doctors and scientists have created effective methods for treating jock itch.

On the other hand, many people do not know for sure whether or not the symptoms they are experiencing are the result of jock itch or something else. Understanding more about this condition can help you recognize it in yourself as well as apply an effective treatment.

Read on to learn all about the most vital things to understand about jock itch and what you can do to treat it!

What Is Jock Itch?

Jock itch is a mild fungal infection. In many ways, it is similar to athlete’s foot. In fact, it is caused by the same kind of fungus, a type of ringworm.

This fungus tends to find warm areas around the body to grow. When it starts growing in the groin area or around the inner thighs, it is known as jock itch.

You can recognize that you have jock itch if you notice yourself developing a rash made of circular blotches. In many cases, the edges around these blotches will be slightly higher than the surrounding skin.

Jock itch rash blotches tend to itch and may cause a burning sensation as well. They are often dry, so skin may peel or flake off of them.

Depending on how light or dark your skin is, your jock itch rash might be purple, red, or tan. In some cases, it will even appear white.

If these symptoms match the condition you are experiencing, there is a good chance that you are dealing with a case of jock itch. But how could you have developed this condition?

Causes of Jock Itch

Just as with athlete’s foot, many people develop jock itch while engaging in regular athletic activities. These activities can increase the chance that the groin area of the body will be sweaty for long amounts of time on a regular basis.

This does not have to lead to jock itch, especially if you make sure to wash this area and keep it dry after athletic activities. On the other hand, the more often this area is damp, the higher the chance that you will develop jock itch at some point.

Being overweight is also a risk factor for developing jock itch because it tends to lead to higher amounts of sweat. If you wear clothing that creates a lot of friction around the groin area, this can also irritate your skin and increase the chance that you develop jock itch.

However, you can also get jock itch by being in close contact with someone else who already has it. If you share clothing or towels with others, there is an increased chance that you will catch jock itch from one of them.

Jock Itch Treatment Options

In most cases, it is simple to diagnose jock itch once you know what you are looking for. If you speak with your doctor about your condition, they may be able to diagnose you with jock itch based on the appearance of your rash. In unusual cases, your doctor might also decide to send a skin sample for further testing.

However, in the vast majority of cases, it is easier and faster to treat your jock itch and see if it goes away in response to normal treatments.

To help manage jock itch, you will want to start staying as clean as possible and staying dry as well. You will also want to avoid sharing clothing or towels with anybody else. It can also be helpful to start using two towels, one for the affected area and one for the rest of your body.

With these preparations done, you can often clear up jock itch in a couple of weeks using antifungal medicines.

Stop Jock Itch Before It Starts

People who have had jock itch before appreciate the value of preventing it from ever coming back again. Following some simple steps can lower the chance that you develop jock itch almost to zero.

First, you should make sure to wear comfortable clothing that does not create too much friction against your skin. Then, you can focus on keeping your body and clothes clean and dry for as long as possible. It is important to avoid letting damp clothes sit around your grown area for hours at a time.

If you decide it is necessary, you can also keep applying antifungal medicines to your groin area to prevent yourself from developing jock itch again.

Know the Details of Treating Jock Itch

When you notice yourself developing jock itch for the first time, you may not have any idea what to do. We hope that this article will help you recognize jock itch when you get it and know a little bit more about treating jock itch. As long as you learn a little bit about this condition, it is not difficult to resolve with lifestyle changes or the right medicine.

To learn more about how you can find the treatment you need for jock itch and other conditions, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!