From the Guidelines
To treat tinea cruris (jock itch), terbinafine 1% cream applied daily for 1 week is the most effective treatment, with a mycological cure rate of approximately 94% 1. This treatment is approved for children 12 years and older and has been shown to be effective in managing T cruris infection.
- The application of terbinafine 1% cream daily for 1 week is a simple and effective treatment regimen.
- Alternative over-the-counter treatments, such as butenafine applied twice daily for 2 weeks and clotrimazole applied twice weekly for 4 weeks, are also available, but terbinafine 1% cream is the most effective option 1.
- For adults, oral itraconazole (100 mg daily for 2 weeks or 200 mg daily for 1 week) has been shown to be effective in treating T cruris and is superior to oral griseofulvin (500 mg daily for 2 weeks) 1.
- It is essential to keep the groin area clean and dry, shower after sweating, wear loose cotton underwear, and avoid sharing towels or clothing to prevent recurrence and promote healing.
- If symptoms worsen, develop pus, or don't improve after two weeks of treatment, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider as you may need stronger medication or have a different condition.
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 Directions • adults and children 12 years and older o use the tip of the cap to break the seal and open the tube o wash the affected skin with soap and water and dry completely before applying o for jock itch and ringworm: apply once a day (morning or night) for 1 week or as directed by a doctor.
To treat tinea cruris (jock itch), apply terbinafine (TOP) once a day (morning or night) for 1 week or as directed by a doctor 2 2.
- Key steps:
- Wash the affected skin with soap and water and dry completely before applying
- Apply the medication once a day
- Wash hands after each use
- Important consideration: For children under 12 years, ask a doctor 2.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch)
- Topical antifungal treatments are effective in treating tinea cruris, with options including terbinafine, naftifine, and clotrimazole 3
- Oral antifungal agents such as fluconazole, terbinafine, and itraconazole can also be used to treat tinea cruris 4, 5, 6
- Allylamines (naftifine and terbinafine) and azoles (clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, oxiconazole, miconazole, and sulconazole) are commonly used topical antifungal treatments 7
- The choice of treatment depends on patient compliance, medication accessibility, and cost 7
Efficacy of Treatment Options
- Terbinafine has been shown to be effective in achieving clinical cure rates, with a risk ratio of 4.51 compared to placebo 3
- Naftifine 1% has been shown to be effective in achieving mycological cure rates, with a risk ratio of 2.38 compared to placebo 3
- Clotrimazole 1% has been shown to be effective in achieving mycological cure rates, with a risk ratio of 2.87 compared to placebo 3
- Oral terbinafine 250 mg daily has been shown to have a poor cure rate in tinea cruris and corporis after 4 weeks of treatment, and an increased dose of 500 mg did not have any additional benefit 5
- Itraconazole has been shown to be effective in achieving mycological cure rates, with 91.8% of patients achieving cure after 4 weeks of treatment 6
Safety and Adverse Effects
- Adverse effects of topical antifungal treatments are generally mild and include irritation and burning 3
- Oral antifungal agents can cause adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset, headache, and taste disturbances 5, 6
- The safety and efficacy of combination treatments, such as topical steroids and antifungals, are unclear and require further study 3