by V. Kumar

Created on: October 09, 2009

'Jock itch' is a fungal infection of the groins, inner thigh and perineal area. It is caused by the dermatophyte group of fungus. Also called as Tinea cruris, Crotch itch or Crotch rot, the name jock itch reflects its higher incidence in people who work a lot like athletes.

The fungal infects warm and damp skin. The reason it is often seen in athletes is partly because of the perspiration and dampness of groins, and partly because of easy communicability of the fungus infection between athletes sharing the dormitory or towels and bathrooms. However, there is another factor that also predisposes to this disease, and that is a reduction in the immunity level that can result because of excessive stress, another disease or inadequate nutrition. Most of the prevention strategies revolve around these predisposing factors.

The first and perhaps the most important measure to prevent jock itch, is to maintain cleanliness and dryness of the vulnerable area, i.e.. groin and area surrounding areas. This can be achieved by many ways including use of antifungal or ordinary powder and properly drying the body after taking showers. These measures are more important when the climate is also warm and highly humid.

The second measure that can help is the prevention of infection itself. Certain dermatophytes are commensals, i.e.. they quietly live on the surface of the skin, and thrive on dead skin, without causing any problems for our health, and in fact help us by preventing other more dangerous bacteria from settling down on our skin. However, there are certain varieties and types which are more pathogenic and cause the jock itch. One can get infected with these varieties by sharing of any common article (fomite) like towels and bed, or even by sharing of bathrooms, or by any other article that comes in contact with many persons. Avoiding such contact can reduces the chances of infection.

Thirdly, appropriate clothing can help. Using boxer underwears, or other loose cotton undergarments, especially at night helps in keeping the groin drier. The significance of cleanliness and hygiene is equally important with reference to clothing.

Lastly, tinea has some association with falling immunity levels. Often people develop jock itch during periods of stress, physical or mental. The more common reasons of such temporary fall in body's immunity that makes it vulnerable to this fungal infection are overexertion continued for a few days at a stretch, a bout of flu, inadequate nutrition over a few weeks, presence of any other illness or severe psychological stress. Taking care of these underlying conditions can save the body not only from jock itch, but also many other opportunistic infection.

In case, one does get caught by this fungus, the treatment is simple, and consists of antifungals like Miconazole and Clotrimazole usually available as cream, in combination with a topical steroid, which can be applied locally on the affected area three times a day. Other anti-fungals available include Tolnaftate, Terbinafine, Econazole and Butenafine, which are also effective.

While applying the treatment, one must try to keep the area dry and clean and take care of the nutrition and any other underlying disease or stress. Lastly, one must remember one important principle while applying the treatment continue the treatment for at least two weeks after the rash has completely disappeared, otherwise there can be a recurrence of the rash.

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