Jock itch is caused by a fungus that spreads from person to person or from sharing contaminated towels or clothing. It’s often caused by the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot. The infection often spreads from the feet to the groin because the fungus can travel on your hands or on a towel.
How do you stop jock itch from coming back?
Jock Itch Prevention
- Bathe. Shower or take a bath daily and again after playing sports or working out.
- Stay dry. Pat your groin area dry with a clean towel.
- Don’t share. Don’t let others use your towels or other personal items.
- Wear clean clothes.
- Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes and underwear.
Can you have jock itch for years?
Symptoms of jock itch go away in a few weeks with treatment. However, if it isn’t treated promptly, the infection can last for weeks or even months. 4 In some cases, using the wrong treatment or participating in activities that worsen the infection can lead to more severe or long-lasting symptoms.
Is jock itch life long?
How Long Does Jock Itch Last? Jock itch is usually less severe than other tinea infections. If it’s not treated, though, it can last for weeks or months.
What can be mistaken for jock itch?
Jock itch is a fungal infection caused by tinea cruris, but it can be confused for other conditions — for example, inverse psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, erythrasma or a different fungal infection, Candida, among other possibilities.
Why does jock itch keep returning?
According to Bodemer, jock itch can happen anytime sweat and moisture stay on the body for a long time and cause fungus or yeast overgrowth — like if a person is sitting down for a long period while wearing tight-fitting undergarments or pants, or continues wearing sweaty underwear after working out.
Why is my body prone to fungal infections?
Anyone with a weakened immune system may be more likely to contract a fungal infection, as well as anyone who is taking antibiotics. Cancer treatment and diabetes may also make a person more prone to fungal infections.
Is jock itch a STD?
Although it often affects the area around your genitals, jock itch is generally not considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). However, since jock itch can spread through direct skin contact, it’s possible to catch or spread jock itch through sexual contact.
Is jock itch contagious toilet seat?
There is a shocking lack of research on how people catch jock itch. No studies show that toilet seats are culprits in transmitting this infection. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that contact with a contaminated toilet seat or even a locker-room bench might spread the fungus from person to person.
Can stress make jock itch worse?
Smoking and stress can also increase your risk of triggering the disease. Having obesity or overweight is also a risk factor for jock itch because the fungus can live in skinfolds. The fungus multiplies in warm, moist places. People who sweat more, such as athletes, are also more likely to develop jock itch.
How do doctors test for jock itch?
Your doctor can often diagnose jock itch by looking at the rash. If the diagnosis isn’t clear-cut, your doctor may take skin scrapings or samples from the infected area for study under a microscope.
Can jock itch be something else?
There are other rashes of the groin that can cause symptoms that are similar to jock itch. The first is called intertrigo, which is a red, macerated rash at the groin fold that’s not caused by a fungus. Intertrigo commonly occurs in people who are obese and is caused by moist skin rubbing against other moist skin.
How can I permanently cure a fungal infection?
Home Remedies For Fungal Infection are:
- Eat Yoghurt and Probiotics. Yoghurt and other probiotics have an ample amount of good bacteria that help stave off many fungal infections.
- Wash with Soap and Water.
- Use Apple Cider Vinegar.
- Use Tea Tree Oil.
- Use Coconut Oil.
- Use Turmeric.
- Use Aloe Vera.
- Garlic.
Why do I keep getting fungal skin?
Fungi often grow in warm, moist environments. Wearing sweaty or wet clothes is a risk factor for skin infections. A break or cut in the skin may allow bacteria to get into the deeper layers of the skin.
Why do I keep getting fungal infections every month?
High levels of estrogen cause Candida fungi to overgrow. Because of this, it’s common to get a yeast infection around the time of your period. Some people get yeast infections around the same time of their cycle every month, a condition called cyclic vulvovaginitis.
What happens if jock itch goes untreated?
With proper treatment, jock itch should clear up in three to four weeks. If you don’t treat it, jock itch can last for months. This infection often comes back more than once, especially if you also have fungal infections on your feet or toenails.
Does jock itch have a smell?
Jock itch has a yeasty smell that is due to the fungal overgrowth present on the body. Keeping the affected areas clean and dry and applying topical creams can help to reduce the smell until you eliminate the infection.
Does scratching jock itch make it worse?
Untreated, the rash will spread throughout this sensitive area, eventually causing painful blisters which may ooze. Scratching the rash can introduce bacteria into the skin, making the problem even worse and the blisters may also become infected.
Can jock itch live on towels?
Jock itch is contagious for as long as you have infected spores from the fungus living on your skin. These spores can even live on surfaces like bedding and towels for over a year if they aren’t washed.
Can jock itch live on clothes?
The fungus likes to grow in warm, moist spots. It got the nickname “jock itch” because athletes sweat a lot, which creates an inviting environment for fungi. But anyone can get jock itch — not just athletes. You can get jock itch from other people or objects — like towels and clothing.
Can jock itch spread in shower?
The fungus that causes jock itch lives on your skin. It often affects male athletes, but anyone can get jock itch. You may get an itchy rash on your inner thighs and rear end (buttocks). It spreads and starts to itch when you sweat or are in steamy showers or locker rooms.