Jock itch is caused by the same fungus that causes ringworm (tinea cruris). Jock itch is much more common in men than in women and develops most frequently in warm weather.

The infection begins in the skinfolds of the genital area and can spread to the buttocks, upper inner thighs, armpits and underneath the breasts.

Usually the scrotum is not involved (unlike in yeast infection).

Anyone can get jock itch. Jock itch named because it is usually athletes who get it, but it can affect anyone who tend to be overweight or sweat a lot.

The itch may appear as a little bit of redness anywhere on the genitals but can advance to more serious inflammation, with scabs and scaling or tender, moist spots where skin has peeled away.

In humans, as the fungus grows, it spreads to surrounding tissues in a circular fashion, with the skin in the middle returning to a normal appearance.

The borders of the affected area may look red and scaly, and the individual may complain of intense itching and/or burning.

Because the borders develop a raised appearance, there may appear to be a worm beneath the skin and be referred to as ringworm.

Recurring yeast infections also know as chronic yeast infection more than just annoying. It can also lead to other illnesses like diabetes and chronic urinary tract infection. When you have more than four infections in a year, you have a condition known as recurring yeast infection. Recurring yeast infections are a common problem found in those suffering diabetes.

If you experience more than four infections in a year, you are said to be suffering from a recurring yeast infection.

Birth control is one of the most common causes of recurring yeast infection. Some women have reported that their recurring yeast infection has been minimzed after getting off of the pill.

Another cause of recurring yeast infection is food, most notably sugars and sweet foods. If your level of these sugar is not controlled and you allow it to go high, you are more likely to experience recurring yeast infection.

Constant moist conditions in the vaginal area can also promote recurring yeast infection.

One of the last causes of recurring yeast infection is a change in the immune system. This can be caused improper or extended use of antibiotics or other medications. The yeast is no longer effectively controlled by the immune system and finds an environment susceptible to infection. Women who are HIV positive are also at a higher risk for recurring yeast infection.

It is also important for recurring yeast infection sufferers to become familiar with the possible symptoms of their infections. For those with recurring yeast infections, the simple touch, tingle, or pain in the genital or pubic region can be the earliest alarm that the infection has returned.

While many patients with recurring yeast infections are eventually placed on prescription medications, medical professionals use this option only as required in order to avoid the possibility of becoming immune to the drug treatment.

It is often suggested that recurring yeast infections be treated by alternating over-the-counter medication for one course, and a prescription for the next.

One of the most common prescriptions for stubborn or recurring yeast infections is Diflucan, in varying strengths as needed. When might a recurring yeast infection happen. For example, an individual taking doxycycline or tetracycline for the prevention of acne is at a higher risk for developing recurring yeast infections. The problem with conventional medicine is that it generally does not restore a healthy body ecology, allowing a recurring yeast infection.

Skin infections involving Candida species can become a recurring yeast infection whenever the conditions leading to the infection do not change.

If those with recurring yeast infections of the skin do not keep the affected areas clean and dry, even after the infection is treated, recurrences are likely.

Perhaps the most severe form of a recurring yeast infection is that which affects the bowels. Candida overgrowth in the colon may not affect the bowel function but, instead, provide a reservoir for recurring yeast infections in other body areas, especially in the urogenital tract.

Cure A proper diagnosis is very important to ensure you receive the most appropriate and effective treatment to cure your yeast infection.

Some products merely relieve the symptoms, and others cure the infection. When choosing the treatment for your yeast infection, select a cure so you have the best chance to eliminate your yeast infection. If you're treating a yeast infection, you should abstain from sex during the course of the treatment and cure (about seven days).

Prescribed medicines may cure yeast infection but if you experience recurring yeast infections don't ignore it as it may lead to chronic yeast infection.

A fungus among us called Trichophyton rubrum exists along with a nmber of other fungal and bacterial extended family, in the hot, moist and dark areas of the groin. Constant rubbing and chafing only make the condition more miserable.

The fungus needs certain conditions to start–anyplace that's warm and moist.

It is most common in people who work outdoors all day or truck drivers who are going 12 to 14 hours a day without a shower.

But you can treat jock itch for good by taking action at the first sign and then taking measures to prevent its return.

Shower regularly and wash the infected area thoroughly with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard or Lever 2000 and then rinse thoroughly.

It may sound unconventional but you can blow away jack itch. If you've got the itch, you need to keep the crotch area as dry as possible. Use a hair dryer after showering on the coolest setting.

If you don't have a hair dryer, towel drying will work also if you do a thorough job. Be sure to dry your groin area very well.

After you've dried yourself completely, use an over-the counter cream containing the ingredients miconazole and clotrimazole (found in Lotrimin and Micatin). If you use the cream daily, following directions on the tube, you can clear up a mild case in about two to four weeks.

More persistant infections may require a prescription.

Jock Itch in Women

Jock itch is not only experienced by men. Women can egt the jock itch fungus also.

It isn't exactly the same in both. A fungus nourished by sweat and heat, will usually be found to be the cause in men, while a yeast infection called Candida albicans is usually the culprit in women.

Candida usually starts as vaginitis (infection and inflammation of the vagina) and moves more externally.

By covering the groin area with baby powder, you'll help prevent the moisture that leads to jock itch. Simply sprinkle on a light dusting of powder whenever you change your underwear.

Wear shorts under your support. Athletic supporters irritate the groin area. This irritation provides a made to order environment for the fungus to grow. One of the best ways to guard against jock itch is to put on a pair of clean, all-cotton shorts before pulling on your athletic supporter.

The athletic support won't rub the skin as much, and the cotton draws some of the moisture and the perspiration from the area and absorbs it.

Many people sit around in their workout clothes after they exercise. That is a great way to promote jock itch. You need to get out of your workout clothes as soon as possible and wash them prior to next use.

Losing excess weight will also help. If you are a man or woman carrying extra pounds, you may be at increased risk of getting the itch.

Many persons with jock itch have shown to be on the over weight scale and, as a result, perspire more and have more skin to -skin contact that encourages the condition.

To treat jock itch, you can buy sprays or creams that are also available at a drugstore over the counter. In some cases, your health care professional may need to prescribe stronger medication to kill the fungus, either a cream, a spray or a pill.

Recurrent fungal infections are a common sign of stress or sometimes of suppressed immune function. If jock itch is a recurring problem consult your health care professional. Eating a lot of garlic or taking garlic capsules has been shown to inhibit the growth of many types of fungus.

With treatment, the symptoms will be better in 7 or 10 days. The rash should go away in 3 to 4 weeks. If the rash does not get better in a week, or is not completely gone in a month, call your health care provider.

Some Jock Itch Cures

You can treat simple jock itch at home. You should try to treat it before the area becomes highly inflamed and possibly infected.

To reduce natural heat and friction induced chafing, apply cornstarch to the affected areas. It will act to reduce abrasion. Talcum powder also can be effective. In women the use of talcum powder has been associated with cancer of the ovaries.

Over the counter creams effectively treat jock itch. It is important to know what is actually causing your problem. Chafing in itself will not be effectively treated with jock itch creams.

Simple skin disinfecting ointments containing zinc oxide or hydrocortisone work well for jock itch brought on by chafing. On the other hand, if you have jock itch caused by fungus, you may require salves made with miconazole or clotrimazole.

Sweat is home to bacteria that cause or further irritate itchy genital areas. After workouts make sure to bathe as soon as you can. And always bring along a clean, dry change of clothes if you're showering away from home.

Dry yourself thoroughly after washing. You may even wish to dry thoroughly using a hair dryer set at hte low setting.

More Jock Itch Cures

It will be much better if you don't wear tight or ill-fitting clothes that might chafe against the skin between your legs and restrict air flow.

Soothe your hot infected skin with cool compresses. Wrap a few ice cubes in a towel, or soak a washcloth in cool tap waterand apply for a brief period. Dry thouroughly when finished.

When practical, providing an opportunity to let jock itch heal is a good excuse to get naked. You will aerate the inflamed skin and give it a chance to dry thoroughly.

Topical treatments include poultices of peppermint, oregano, or lavender.

Tea tree oil diluted with a carrier oil of almond oil can be applied to the rash several times per day.

Cedarwood and jasmine oils can relieve itching when applied in the same manner.

Grapefruit seed extract can be taken as a strong solution of 15 drops in 1 oz of water.

Bupleurum, or Chinese thoroughwax, is an Asian plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Japanese Kampo formulations to treat jock itch and other fungal skin infections. Bupleurum contains compounds known as saikosaponins, which have anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Other Jock Itch Home Remedies

A good remedy for jock itch is to wash the groin area with the diluted juice of a freshly squeezed lemon, which can help dry up the rash.

A hair dryer on the cool setting can also be used on the area after showering to dry it thoroughly.

A warm bath relieves itching in many patients.

The affected area should kept clean and dry, and patients are advised to wear loose-fitting pure cotton underwear.

Fabrics that contain polyester or nylon hold moisture against the body.

There are a number of jock itch symptoms. Do you notice a circular, raised, red rash around your groin? Have you been experiencing a lot of itching? Does it seem like the more you scratch, the more you itch? Have you had any flaking or peeling of your skin in the groin area? All of these are classic symptoms.

The acute infection begins with an itchy area of redness about a half-inch across. In typical jock itch fungus symptoms, the area may enlarge, and other sores may develop in no particular pattern. The rash appears as raised red areas with sharp borders. The border may exhibit tiny pimples or even pustules with central areas that are reddish and dry with small scales.

If you become infected with candidal organisms, the rash tends to be redder and wetter. The skin of your penis may be involved, whereas other organisms spare the penis.

Women who also have vaginal infection experience vaginal itching and white, thick, cottage cheese -like discharge with candidiasis.

Jock Itch Fungus Symptoms

inflammation of the groin, anal area and upper thigh, sparing the genitals themselves
slightly raised patch
sharp borders
expanding or spreading, with clearing in the centre
dry or scaly blisters, occasionally oozing or crusting
abnormally dark or light skin
skin redness or inflammation
Fungal infections often spread out in a circle leaving normal-looking skin in the middle.
At the leading edge of the infection the skin is raised, red and scaly.

Classic jock itch typically affects the inner thighs and lower buttocks, not the genitalia themselves.

If the scrotum is inflamed, it is more likely due to a different yeast condition called candidiasis. You alternatively may have other fungal skin rashes such as athlete's foot or ringworm on other body parts.

Jock itch is a fungal infection of the skin, which occurs mainly in moist, warm areas of the body like inner thighs, buttocks and groin region. It is caused by the fungus trichophyton rubrum. It causes itchiness, redness and ring shaped rash leaving you in an uncomfortable condition.

Yes jock itch can be contagious, and it can be transmitted if you have sex with a partner who has jock itch
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So treat the infection first by applying over the counter antifungal cream or powder over the infected skin. Tell your partner to wear loose, preferably cotton undergarments and keep the infected skin dry to avoid further spreading of the infection.

The fungus will not flourish on dry, normal skin

It is commonly spread through contact with the athlete's foot fungus which causes the same fungal infection to the groin area.