Jock itch , also called tinea cruris, is an infection caused by fungi on your skin. The fungus that causes jock itch lives naturally on your skin, hair, and nails. When the fungus multiplies too quickly, it can overtake the other bacteria that keep your skin healthy.
The resulting infection causes a scaly red rash that can itch and burn. In the groin area, this is called jock itch. This condition is most common in men and can affect women too. The fungus that causes jock itch can be spread from person to person.
Keep reading to find out the ways that jock itch can be spread. The fungus that causes jock itch can be easily spread between people. Sexual contact and skin-to-skin contact can spread the fungus from the groin area to other body parts and trigger infections elsewhere, too.
For example, a person who touches the genitals of someone with jock itch could then develop ringworm , another fungal infection, on their hand. Even though jock itch is more common in men, women can get it, too. The fungus can travel from any contact with a groin with the infection to cause other types of fungal infection, which can develop nearly anywhere on your body.
Jock itch gets its name from how easily it spreads in places like locker rooms where personal items are shared and moisture is common. Fabrics and plastics can all harbor the tinea fungus and spread the infection. Underwear, jock straps, cups worn during sports, and towels can all transmit jock itch.
To stop the spread of jock itch, personal items should be limited to your personal use. Certain lifestyle factors and health conditions can make you more likely to develop jock itch.
Having jock itch puts you at risk for developing infections elsewhere from the same fungus. When you are treating ringworm, it is important to finish the full course of medicine prescribed, even if the symptoms have gone away, so that the infection does not return. This prescription medicine should be used with caution and for no longer than 2 weeks, because complications can occur with long-term use of corticosteroids. People who are taking antifungal pills should have a doctor monitor their blood counts and liver and kidney function during treatment to watch for any harmful side effects.
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You are here Home » Ringworm of the Skin. Top of the page. Topic Overview Is this topic for you? For information about other fungal infections, see the topics: Athlete's Foot. Diaper Rash. Fungal Nail Infections. Ringworm of the Scalp or Beard. What is ringworm of the skin? What causes ringworm? What are the symptoms? How is ringworm of the skin diagnosed?
How is it treated? Can you prevent ringworm? To prevent ringworm: Don't share clothing, sports gear, towels, or sheets. If you think you have been exposed to ringworm, wash your clothes in hot water with special anti-fungus soap. Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms and public bathing areas.
Shower and shampoo well after any sport that includes skin-to-skin contact. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Change your socks and underwear at least once a day.
Keep your skin clean and dry. Always dry yourself completely after showers or baths, drying your feet last. If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear so that fungi do not spread from your feet to your groin. Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could be a sign of a fungal infection.
Cause Ringworm infection is caused by a fungus. Symptoms Most ringworm infections cause a rash that may be peeling, cracking, scaling, itching, and red. Symptoms of ringworm of the body include a rash: On the chest, stomach, arms, legs, or back. With edges that are red and scaly or moist and crusted.
The rash also may have small bumps that look like blisters. The center of the rash may be clear, giving it a ring-shaped appearance, or there may be a cluster of red bumps. That may form large, round patches. Symptoms of ringworm of the face include a rash: On the face, the ears, or both.
With a border that may not be very distinct. That may get worse after being in the sun. Symptoms of ringworm of the groin jock itch include a rash: On the groin, skin folds, inner thighs, or buttocks. The rash usually does not occur on the scrotum or penis. With edges that are very distinct and may be scaly or have bumps that look like blisters.
That may have a red-brown center. Symptoms of ringworm on the hand include a rash: On the palm that may be mistaken for eczema. On the palm that is thickened, dry, and scaly, similar to athlete's foot, while skin between the fingers may be moist and have open sores.
On the back of the hand that is red and scaly, with edges that have bumps that look like blisters. What Happens Ringworm of the skin can start as a small patch of itchy, red, or scaling skin. Ringworm can also spread to other parts of the body, including the feet, nails, scalp, or beard. What Increases Your Risk Your risk of getting ringworm is higher if: You come in contact with a person who has a fungal infection or with a carrier, a person who has the fungi but does not have symptoms.
You are susceptible to fungal infections or you have had a previous fungal infection. You have an impaired immune system due to a disease such as diabetes or cancer. You live in a warm, damp climate. You wear tight-fitting clothes or you let your skin stay damp for long periods, such as by staying in a wet bathing suit or sweaty workout clothes. You are a wrestler.
When should you call your doctor? If you suspect you have ringworm of the skin, call your doctor if: You have patches of skin that are itchy, red, or scaly with bumps that look like blisters, and they have not improved after 2 weeks of treatment with a nonprescription antifungal product. Signs of bacterial infection develop. Signs may include: Increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, or heat. Red streaks extending from the area.
Discharge of pus. Fever of The rash appears to be spreading even after treatment. Watchful waiting Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. Any persistent, severe, or recurring infection should be checked by your doctor. Who to see The following health professionals can diagnose and treat ringworm of the skin: Family medicine physician Pediatrician Dermatologist Nurse practitioner Physician assistant Internist.
Exams and Tests Doctors often can easily recognize ringworm by its ring-shaped rash. Tests for ringworm of the skin include: A KOH potassium hydroxide preparation. This test can help your doctor find out whether a fungus is causing your rash. The doctor will take a sample of your skin by lightly scraping the infected area. The sample is placed on a slide with potassium hydroxide KOH solution and gently heated.
If fungus cells are present, the doctor can then see them with a microscope. The rash can look circular, with well-defined or even elevated edges. It can also spread to the area around the anus where poop comes out. It may itch, sting, or burn, or simply feel uncomfortable.
A fungus is a microscopic plant-like organism that thrives in damp, warm environments. Fungi usually aren't dangerous. But when they infect the skin, they cause mild but annoying rashes also known as tinea infections. Jock itch is caused by fungi that normally live on the skin, hair, and nails, called dermatophytes. When the groin, upper thighs, and buttocks area gets warm and moist, they can grow out of control and start to cause symptoms. Jock itch can spread from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments.
It can also spread to other areas of the body if someone touches the affected area and touches other body parts. Jock itch often spreads from a fungal infection on the feet, known as athlete's foot. Jock itch can affect anyone who tends to sweat a lot. It most often affects boys, but girls can get it too. A doctor can often diagnose jock itch just by looking at it and asking about symptoms and the child's lifestyle. Sometimes the doctor will scrape off a small sample of the flaky infected skin to look at under a microscope or to test in a laboratory.
Over-the-counter OTC antifungal creams, sprays or powders may solve the problem if it is mild.
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