From the Guidelines
Tinea cruris, commonly known as jock itch, is a fungal infection that affects the groin area, inner thighs, and buttocks, typically caused by dermatophyte fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, or Epidermophyton floccosum. This infection is more common in men, particularly those who are overweight, have diabetes, or engage in activities causing excessive sweating 1. The infection presents as a red, itchy, ring-shaped rash with raised edges.
Causes and Risk Factors
The causes of tinea cruris include fungal infections, typically spread through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing personal items such as towels 1. Risk factors for developing tinea cruris include excessive sweating, obesity, and diabetes. Athletes, especially those involved in contact sports like wrestling and judo, are at higher risk due to the potential for skin-to-skin contact and shared use of equipment or facilities.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment usually involves topical antifungal medications such as clotrimazole 1% (Lotrimin), miconazole 2% (Micatin), or terbinafine 1% (Lamisil) cream applied twice daily for 2-4 weeks 1. For more severe cases, oral antifungals like itraconazole may be prescribed. To prevent recurrence, it is essential to keep the groin area clean and dry, wear loose-fitting cotton underwear, change clothes after sweating, avoid sharing personal items, and treat any athlete's foot infections promptly, as these can spread to the groin area 1. Maintaining dryness in the affected area is crucial for both treatment and prevention, as the fungi thrive in warm, moist environments.
Key Prevention Strategies
- Keep the groin area clean and dry
- Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear
- Change clothes after sweating
- Avoid sharing personal items
- Treat any athlete's foot infections promptly
- Completely dry the crural folds after bathing
- Use separate (clean) towels for drying the groin and other parts of the body 1
From the FDA Drug Label
Uses • cures most athlete's foot (tinea pedis) • cures most jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm (tinea corporis) • relieves itching, burning, cracking and scaling which accompany these conditions Tinea cruris is also known as jock itch. It is a condition that causes itching, burning, cracking, and scaling. 2
From the Research
Definition of Tinea Cruris
- Tinea cruris, also known as jock itch, is a superficial fungal infection of the groin and adjacent skin 3, 4, 5.
- It is caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus that infects the skin 3, 4.
- The infection is characterized by intense pruritus (itching) and can be a troubling and important entity that is a clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic challenge 5.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Predisposing factors for tinea cruris include heat, humidity, and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) 5.
- Obesity and diabetes mellitus are also risk factors for tinea cruris, particularly in adolescents 5.
- The infection can be spread through direct contact with an infected person or by sharing personal items such as towels or clothing 3.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis of tinea cruris is usually based on history and clinical appearance, and can be confirmed by direct microscopy of a potassium hydroxide preparation or culture 3.
- Treatment options for tinea cruris include topical antifungal agents, such as terbinafine, naftifine, and clotrimazole, as well as systemic antifungal agents, such as fluconazole and itraconazole 3, 4, 6, 7.
- Treatment duration varies from one week to several weeks, depending on the severity of the infection and the type of treatment used 3, 4, 6, 7.