From the Guidelines
Terbinafine 1% cream applied daily for 1 week is the most effective treatment for Tinea cruris (jock itch) infection on the groin, with a mycological cure rate of approximately 94%. This treatment option is supported by a study published in Pediatrics in 2017 1. The study found that terbinafine 1% cream is approved for children 12 years and older and has been used effectively to treat T cruris.
Some key points to consider when treating Tinea cruris include:
- Applying the medication to the affected area and surrounding skin daily for 1 week
- Keeping the groin area clean and dry
- Wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear
- Changing clothes after sweating
- Avoiding sharing personal items
Other treatment options, such as butenafine and clotrimazole, are also available over-the-counter, but terbinafine 1% cream is the most effective treatment option, with a higher mycological cure rate compared to other alternatives 1. Oral itraconazole (100 mg daily for 2 weeks or 200 mg daily for 1 week) has also been shown to be effective in adults for treating T cruris, but terbinafine 1% cream is a more convenient and less invasive treatment option.
It is essential to note that if symptoms worsen, spread, or don't improve after two weeks of treatment, consulting a healthcare provider is necessary to rule out bacterial superinfection or a different diagnosis.
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 Principal Display Panel TopCare Miconazorb AF ANTIFUNGAL POWDER MICONAZOLE NITRATE 2%/ ANTIFUNGAL Cures Most Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch & Ringworm Relieves Itching, Burning, Scaling & Chafing Comforts & Refreshes Absorbs Moisture Talc-Free NET WT 2.5 OZ (71 g)
The treatment medications for Tinea cruris (jock itch) infection on the groin are:
- Terbinafine (TOP) 2
- Miconazole (TOP) 3 These medications cure most jock itch infections and relieve accompanying symptoms such as itching, burning, scaling, and chafing.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tinea Cruris
- Topical antifungal treatments are commonly used to treat tinea cruris, with options including azoles, allylamines, and benzylamines 4
- Terbinafine and naftifine have been shown to be effective in achieving clinical and mycological cure 4, 5
- Clotrimazole 1% has also been found to be effective in achieving mycological cure 4
- Oral terbinafine can be used to treat tinea cruris, with a dose of 250 mg daily being as effective as 500 mg daily 6
Treatment Duration and Application
- Treatment duration for tinea cruris typically ranges from 2-4 weeks 7, 8
- Topical treatments can be applied once or twice daily, depending on the specific medication and patient needs 8, 5
- Newer medications may require fewer applications and a shorter duration of use 8
Considerations for Treatment
- Patient compliance, medication accessibility, and cost should be considered when choosing a treatment option 5
- The presence of inflammation may necessitate the use of an agent with inherent anti-inflammatory properties or a combination antifungal/steroid agent 8
- Combination antifungal/steroid agents should be used with caution due to the potential for causing atrophy and other steroid-associated complications 8