Jock itch is caused by fungi called dermatophytes.

These microscopic organisms are normal inhabitants of

your skin, and stay in check as long as your skin is clean and dry. But on some areas of the body where skin is
likely to be moist and warm, such as the groin the fungi grow and thrive, resulting in a fungal infection.
Dermatophytes live on the dead tissues of your skin, hair, and nails and thrive in warm, moist areas like the
insides of the thighs. So, when the groin area gets sweaty and isn't dried properly, it provides a perfect
environment for the fungi to multiply and thrive.
Jock itch is only mildly contagious. It can spread from person to person by shared use of contaminated towels
or clothing or through direct contact during sexual intercourse with someone who has the infection.

Risk factors
The organisms that cause jock itch thrive in damp, close environments. Warm, humid settings that promote
heavy sweating thus washing away fungus-killing oils, making the skin more permeable and in turn making
the skin more prone to infection favor its spread. Jock itch often affects men who wear tight underwear or
athletic supporters that aren't washed after each use. People who are obese or sweat a lot also are at higher
risk of jock itch. Some people may be genetically prone to this type of infection.
People with impaired immune systems such as people with diabetes or HIV/AIDS also may be at
increased risk of jock itch. If you have atopic dermatitis a chronic, inherited skin disease characterized by
itchy, inflamed skin you may be more susceptible to jock itch. The barriers in your skin that normally protect
you from viral, bacterial and fungal infections often are weakened or compromised.

Screening and diagnosis

Your doctor can determine if you have jock itch or another skin disorder, such as dermatitis or psoriasis.
Your doctor may take skin scrapings or samples from the infected area and view them under a microscope.
This is called a KOH examination. If a sample shows fungi, treatment may include an antifungal medication. If
the test is negative, but your doctor still suspects that you have jock itch, a sample may be sent to a lab to
determine whether it will grow fungi under the right conditions. This test is known as a culture. Your doctor may
also order a culture if your condition doesn't respond to treatment.

Where Did I Get Jock Itch From?

Some of the most common ways to you can get jock itch is from walking barefoot on a public shower floor,
Jacuzzis, swimming pools, or from using a towel from someone else. If you also have athletes foot, you could
have transmitted the fungus to your groin area.
Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a form of ringworm. Ringworm is not a worm at all. It is a fungal infection of the outer
layers of skin, hair, or nails. Fungi (plural of fungus) are present everywhere in our environment.Ringworm of
the skin appears as a rash with patches that may be red or peeling or that have bumps on the edges that look
like blisters. The skin often is itchy, and the rash can spread quickly. You can have both jock itch and athlete's
foot (tinea pedis) at the same time.

Period of Communicability
A person can spread ringworm as long as lesions are present and viable fungus persists on contaminated
materials and surfaces.

Prevention/Care

 Students infected with tinea pedis should be excluded from swimming pools, and from walking barefoot on
locker room and shower floors until treatment has been initiated.
Cleaning and draining the school shower areas should be done frequently.

How Do I Get Rid of It?

Jock itch usually responds to self-care: Over-the-counter antifungal creams, powders, and sprays will probably
clear it up. Sometimes, though, a person may need to see a doctor for a prescription antifungal cream. When it
comes to healing a fungal infection, it's essential to keep the affected area clean and dry. Follow these steps
when treating jock itch:

Wash, then dry the area using a clean towel. Use a separate, clean towel on the rest of your body
don't use the same towel you used on your groin.

Apply the antifungal cream, powder, or spray as directed on the label.

Change your clothes, especially your underwear, every day.

Treat other fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.

It's important to continue this treatment for the amount of time recommended in the instructions on the product
label. Continue following the steps above even if symptoms disappear sooner to prevent the infection from
coming back.
If these steps don't work, or if symptoms last longer than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor, who might need to
prescribe a stronger antifungal cream, spray, or pill.

Atopic Dermatitis

Some people are particularly sensitive when it comes to jock itch because they have a skin disease,
called atopic dermatitis, which is characterized by inflamed, itchy skin. If an individual has this to begin with he
will be more susceptible to jock itch because the skin barriers, which normally ward off fungal and bacterial
infections, have been weakened and compromised and can't protect him.

How it Causes Disease: The fungi attach and grow on keratin-containing cells, such as those found in the
skin of the groin area.
Whos at Risk? Jock itch typically occurs in teen or young adult males, but has also affected women who wear
tight-fitting costumes or exercise clothes.
Prognosis: With treatment, jock itch resolves within 2 weeks. Some cases may last longer.

QUESTIONS:
Does jock itch affect the entire body?
Jock itch does not affect the entire body. It is usually limited to the groin, inner thigh folds, genitals, and anal
area. Itching of the entire body is called pruritus and is generally unrelated to jock itch.

Why is my groin still discolored?

Residual skin discoloration in the groin may persist for weeks to months after more severe forms of jock itch
clear. Since it is in an area seldom seen in broad daylight by others it does not generally require treatment.
Eventually it will revert back to a more natural color.

What is the prognosis with jock itch?

The prognosis with jock itch is very good. Overall, jock itch tends to be an easily treated and curable skin
condition. Commonly, it is a mild, benign, usually noncontagious, and self-limited skin condition. More
widespread, atypical cases of jock itch may be embarrassing, chronically disfiguring, and psychologically
distressing for the patient.

Is jock itch an std?

It can be, but more typically you get it from wearing the same underwear, jockstrap, swimming suit, or other
athletic attire more than once at the gym or at a game, etc. Jock itch is actually a fungal infection not unlike
athlete's foot.

What is the prevalence of jock itch?

An average of one in five people develops fungal infection at some point during their lifetime.

Is jock itch dangerous?

Dont consider it too dangerous but we treat it because its not very nice. Dont be embarrased about it a lot of
people get it. there are many forms of bacteria on your skin already it is just another bacteria however it
shouldn't be there and your body is telling you so. it is easliy treated with cream you can get from the
pharmacy.

Can you go swimming with jock itch?

Well, that depends on how sensitive the affected area is to the water chemistry. If the water of the swimming
pool irritates your eyes, it can aggravate the symptoms. If the disease has progressed to the point where you
have lesions you would be better off not swimming because of the potential for waterborne infection. If you are
using a cream to fight the infection you should reapply after swimming.