Preventing and Treating Jock Itch

Jock itch is caused by fungal skin infections in the sensitive areas of the inner thighs, buttocks and groin area. The trichophyton rubrum fungus which causes jock itch thrives in abundance in these warm and often damp areas of the body. People who indulge in serious exercise and sports and are prone to sweating often complain of jock itch.


Obese people prone to sweating are more susceptible to jock itch. Jock itch can cause an intense itching, redness of skin and much discomfort in the groin area and be a cause for much embarrassment.

The first step towards preventing and treating jock itch, is observing daily hygiene rituals.


It is important to shower daily, using a mild antibacterial soap and to dry your groin area thoroughly after your shower. If necessary your can use a blow dryer to blow away any moisture. This is particularly effective if you are prone to heavy sweating. However you must remember to keep the setting of the blow dryer at the coolest since too much heat can cause sweating which makes the entire process of blow drying your groin area ineffective! You should also dust yourself liberally with a baby powder which absorbs the sweat and soothes the irritation from the jock itch. Since baby powders are milder they are more suitable to skin that has been irritated by a jock itch. If you are already suffering from a serious case of jock itch, you should also consider applying some anti-fungal creams after your shower. It is also important to change your clothing from inside out after you have exercised or if you have been playing or indulging in physical work that makes you sweat. You should also opt for cotton underwear that absorbs the sweat and does not irritate the sensitive skin of the groin area. If you wear an athletic jock support while playing, you should wear some cotton shorts under the supporter. This way the supporter will not rub as much against the sensitive skin of your groin area and the cotton will also absorb some of the sweat caused by the exercise as well as the synthetic material of the supporter. Garlic is helpful in treating jock itch, so you can apply the juice of garlic on your groin area till the problem has been controlled. Alternately you can apply some honey in your groin area to soothe the irritation and treat the infection effectively.