Jock itch or tinea cruris is a form of ringworm, a fungal infection that affects the outer layers of skin, hair, or nails. The fungi that cause jock itch thrive in steamy, moist environments, such as locker room floors, damp towels, and sweaty workout clothes, which is how the infection got its name.
Jock itch doesn’t just affect athletes. It is also common in people who sweat a lot and people who are overweight. Jock itch is rarely serious and can typically be easily treated with over-the-counter medications.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Symptoms of jock itch include:
- Rash on groin, skin folds, inner thighs, or buttocks
- Itching and pain around rash area
- Rash often red, raised, or scaly and may have blisters that ooze
- Rash patches are typically redder around the outside and may be red-brown in the middle
Treatment: Jock itch typically goes away after a few weeks with self-treatment. If you suspect you have jock itch, you should:
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Wear loose fitting clothing around the affected area
- Use over-the-counter antifungal or drying powders to control the infection
Prevention: After you successfully treat jock itch, you can prevent getting it again in the future by keeping your groin, inner thighs, and buttocks clean and dry.
If your symptoms last more than two weeks, is severe, or frequently returns, a trip to your local FastMed Urgent Care could be in order. You could require a stronger antifungal medication to treat the infection or an antibiotic if the area has become infected.
FastMed is open 365 days a year, making it easy for you to stop by as soon as you notice the first symptom. We aim to have our patients in and out within an hour, so you can get home and start treatment fast.
About FastMed
FastMed is a leading provider of high-quality, convenient, affordable, and compassionate healthcare in 34 counties across North Carolina. FastMed serves both urban and rural communities across the state with a wide range of care options, including preventive, telemedicine, occupational health, and primary and urgent care. FastMed is one of the few urgent care providers in the nation that has earned The Joint Commission’s coveted Gold Seal of Approval® for quality, safety, and infection control in ambulatory healthcare. For more information, visit www.fastmed.com.