Jock Itch or Tinea Cruris

Introduction

This fungus infection of the soft skin of the upper thigh region tends to occur more frequently in males. It can also affect the buttock crease. Various dermatophytes and candida species are the pathogens for this condition. Here is an jock itch picture.

Sweating, lack of hygiene and demanding sports activities tend to lead to skin breakdown and fungal infections in the "intercrural area", which is the medical term for the skinfolds in the upper thigh region. Obesity is another high risk factor for developing jock itch.

Often tinea cruris starts with a red flat skin spot in the intercrural area that is irritated and tender when clothing rubs on it. The lesion gets slightly swollen and becomes more prominent than the surrounding healthy skin. Untreated it clears up in the center and subsequently assumes a ring like shape that grows in the periphery. When the skin breaks down, it can get superinfected with skin bacteria and candida species. The scrotum usually does not get involved with tinea cruris, but when yeast infections (candidiasis) superinfect the open sores, the scrotum commonly gets infected as well, see this link: yeast infection of the skin.

Treatment of Jock Itch

When it is recognized early, topical therapy is usually very effective. Topical antifungal lotions or creams as described under treatment of tinea corporis are used. For deeper, more difficult to treat infections oral medication likely has to be considered. The duration of the oral medication may have to be for 3 to 6 weeks. In complicated cases, where superinfection with Candida albicans is noted, this might have to be treated with a course of itraconazole (brand name: Sporanox) and 200 mg once daily for 1 month might be required. Discuss this with your doctor.

Infections Overview

Skin Infections

Tinea Infections

Disclaimer

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References

1.The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 265.

2.James Chin et al., Editors: Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 17th edition, 2000, American Public Health Association

3.The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 112.

4. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 115.

5. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 113.

Last Modified: Dec. 22, 2007