It’s uncomfortable in more than one way – learn more about jock itch. Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a fungal infection of the groin, affecting thighs, buttocks
and lower parts of the abdomen. It is caused by dermatophytes, a group of fungi that thrive in moist and hot environments like wet or tight-fitting clothing. You can catch it through contact with contaminated towels or clothing, or transfer fungi from other affected areas of your skin through scratching. You might be suffering from jock itch if you notice:Jock Itch
See your doctor if:
- If your symptoms do not improve after treatment
- If symptoms return within a few week
Understanding Jock itch
Dermatophytes are fungi that cause jock itch as well as a variety of other skin conditions. They spread easily from affected areas, which is why you should treat any fungal infections as early as possible.
Jock itch treatment
Start treatment early to get rid of jock itch fast
The best course of treatment for jock itch is an anti-fungal cream combined with an anti-inflammatory agent. Treatment alleviates symptoms like itching and pain resulting from fungal infections.
Canesten offers a range of effective products that treat jock itch.
Discover Canesten products
Preventing Jock itch
Facts about jock itch
Frequently Asked Questions:
Not usually, as jock itch is normally found around the groin area, inner thighs and buttocks, not your genitalia. If you have a rash on your scrotum and/or your penis, it’s best to see your doctor so you get the correct diagnosis and treatment. Once you start treatment your jock itch should clear up within 3-4 weeks. If the symptoms do not improve or worsen, please consult your doctor. Yes, you should. Since this fungal infection is contagious, it could be transferred to your partner during sex. You don't have to be a jock to get jock itch. While it usually affects guys, girls can become infected by it too. Certain factors can make jock itch more likely to develop such as excessive sweating while playing sports, hot and humid weather, friction from wearing tight or wet clothes for extended periods (like bathing suits), sharing towels with
others. Jock itch can be spread from other fungal infections such as athlete's foot which can be picked up from walking barefoot in a public shower floor, swimming pools or from using someone
else's towel. It is possible to spread the fungus to your groin area from your towel or sharing towels. You can catch jock itch by contaminated towels,
clothing and bed linen. You can also transfer the infection by skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected, and of course by touching an object that carries the fungus. The area of the groin is a perfect environment for the growth of the fungus that causes jock itch as it's warm and moist. Wearing tight fitting clothing can often encourage the growth of fungi, making looser cotton underwear a better alternative. While the vast majority of individuals who suffer from jock itch symptoms are male, females can also get this form of infection themselves.What can I do to treat Jock Itch?
I have a rash on my scrotum and/or penis, is this jock itch?
How long does the treatment last?
Should I stop having sex until my jock itch clears up?
Who gets jock itch?
How did I get jock itch?
Can I get jock itch by sharing a bed with someone who has it?
Does being a boxers or briefs guy make a difference?
Can women also get jock itch?
Learn more about skin & foot health
Having jock itch can be an uncomfortable experience – learn more about jock itch. Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a fungal skin infection of the groin area, affecting the upper
part of the thighs, buttocks and lower parts of the abdomen. It is caused by fungi that thrive in warm and moist environments such as those found in sweaty, wet or tight-fitting clothing. Jock itch is very contagious, and you can catch it through contact with contaminated towels and clothing or through contact with an infected person. You can also transfer the fungi from other affected areas of your skin such as your feet if you are suffering from an athlete’s foot infection. You might have jock itch if you notice: Jock itch symptoms
See your doctor if:
- Symptoms do not improve or worsen after using a jock itch treatment
- Symptoms return within a few weeks after treatment
Understanding jock itch
Jock itch can be uncomfortable, embarrassing and annoying but it is important that you recognise the symptoms so you can treat it quickly. It often starts with a red, itchy rash with raised edges that can be painful. The rash may then spread out from the crease in the groin in a half-moon shape onto the upper thigh.
What causes jock itch?
Jock itch is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes which infect the uppermost layers of the skin. Normally these fungi live harmlessly on your skin but can multiply quickly and cause infection in warm and moist environments, for example if you wear sweat-soaked clothes for long periods of time e.g. after exercise. You can also get it through close contact with an infected person or through contaminated towels, clothes or your hands if you touch other infected areas of your body. Fungi are easily spread through scratching, so if you have athlete’s foot or a fungal nail infection you are more at risk of catching jock itch too.
Who is at risk of getting jock itch?
As the name suggests, jock itch is common in athletes who sweat a lot and wear tight, wet clothes for long periods of time. It mostly affects men and adolescent boys because moisture can get trapped between the scrotum and thighs. Additionally, if you are overweight you are more likely to experience jock itch because the fungus can thrive in folds of skin, which are prone to sweating. However, jock itch can affect anyone because it is highly contagious.
The following can also increase the chance of you getting a jock itch infection:
- Wearing clothes that are tight and irritate your skin
- Having moisture in your groin area from sweating
- Leaving on a wet bathing suit for a long time
- Sharing damp towels or sweaty clothing
- Being in close contact with someone infected
Jock itch treatment
You can treat your jock itch easily at home with an over the counter (OTC) topical anti-fungal medication.
Anti-fungal jock itch creams and sprays target the main types of fungi that cause the infection. They’re easy to apply and normally contain anti-fungal ingredients such as clotrimazole.
If you have symptoms of inflammation, you can use a combination treatment containing both a mild corticosteroid (e.g. hydrocortisone) and an anti-fungal medication to treat your jock itch.
Canesten offers anti-fungal only treatments as well as a hydrocortisone containing combination treatment.
Canesten jock itch treatments
Canesten offers a range of effective jock itch treatments which effectively treat your fungal infection. They are easy to apply and penetrate your skin to stop fungal growth, destroy the fungi and relieve your jock itch symptoms such as irritated and itchy skin. The treatments are available from your local pharmacy and supermarket pharmacies.
- Canesten Hydrocortisone® Athlete’s Foot 1% w/w Cream – Is the only treatment you can buy formulated with a combination of clotrimazole and hydrocortisone acetate. The active anti-fungal ingredient clotrimazole effectively treats your jock itch infection, while hydrocortisone acetate treats the inflammation.
- Canesten Cream® – This anti-fungal cream treats the infection and relieves your uncomfortable symptoms.
- Canesten Dermatological Spray® - This convenient spray is ideal for hard to reach areas that may be infected with jock itch. Like the cream, it contains the anti-fungal ingredient clotrimazole to treat your jock itch infection and provide relief from your symptoms.