Jock Itch

[indiankid408]

Hi Guys!

I've been dealing with jock itch for the past 2-3 weeks now. I've been using over the counter jock itch cream & a prescription 2.5% hydrocortisone cream, but I haven't noticed a difference.

It first started out in between my thigh and groin, on my right side. It later spread to the underside of my groin, after my balls & then to the inner sides of my butt cheeks.

I've honestly, never been this uncomfortable before. I can't even workout without it stinging or burning, it burns even more once I shower and try to clean the infected areas with soap and water.

I would REALLY love some suggestions.

I have already reached out to my doctor, but I am waiting a response. His first response was to give it about a month *Gulp*

 

[Peloso]

Not an expert, but I'd nix the hydrocortisone cream. Jock itch thrives with moisture.

Try the aerosol stuff that goes on all powdery, but make sure your junk is totally dry before applying. A hair dryer would help with that.

 

[KaraBulut]

Hi Guys!

I've been dealing with jock itch for the past 2-3 weeks now. I've been using over the counter jock itch cream & a prescription 2.5% hydrocortisone cream, but I haven't noticed a difference.

It first started out in between my thigh and groin, on my right side. It later spread to the underside of my groin, after my balls & then to the inner sides of my butt cheeks.

I've honestly, never been this uncomfortable before. I can't even workout without it stinging or burning, it burns even more once I shower and try to clean the infected areas with soap and water.

I would REALLY love some suggestions.

I have already reached out to my doctor, but I am waiting a response. His first response was to give it about a month *Gulp*

You shouldn't have to suffer for another month.

Usually jock itch (tinea cruris) is limited to particular creases like between the groin and the thigh. When it is in multiple places- like the crease, the scrotum, the anal area, etc, it's because there's way too much moisture in the area. The bad news is that by the time you notice it, it's pretty well-established and it can take some time (and stronger anti-fungals) to get it back under control.

Fungus is always present on your skin and your immune system usually is able to keep it under control. What's happening is that it has too much "food" which is why it's growing out of control. Fungus feeds on dead skin cells and it thrives in too-moist conditions. Get rid of the dead skin cells and moisture and it won't be able to get out of control.

You might want to think about what is making those areas stay moist.

1. After you shower, use a blow-dryer to dry all those areas.
2. There's three things that you can apply to the area after you get them dry: corn starch baby powder (check the label- you want the powder that contains corn starch not talc), a zinc oxide cream like Desitin (also in the baby aisle at the store) or an over-the-counter spray antifungal spray (US brands: Lotrimin AF or Tinactin). I would recommend starting with the baby powder first and then trying the spray. If your skin is raw, the spray will sting, so you might want to try a small area with the spray to make sure it doesn't burn too much. If the spray stings too much, use the baby powder until your skin heals enough to try the spray again. The zinc oxide cream works well if you're at home and wearing casual clothing but it does leave a white residue on your clothing, so I wouldn't recommend using it unless the other options fail.
3. Don't use cortisone or hydrocortisone on the area. They suppress your immune system which allows the fungus to get more established.
4. If you've been outside and you get sweaty, don't let the sweat stay on your skin. When you get home, take a quick shower and repeat the blow dryer process and reapply the powder/spray.
5. If you have an outside job or you're working out a lot and you get sweaty during the day, you might want to bring a towel, the powder & spray along with a change of underwear with you. After you're done, dry off well, reapply the powder/spray.
6. Until this gets under control, you might want to change to a "dri-fit" type underwear (e.g. Under Armour) that doesn't retain moisture. Cotton underwear tends to soak up moisture and it doesn't dry quick enough to keep your skin dry. Also, don't wear tight underwear or tight pants until this gets under control.
7. You might also want to use a fan at night to help keep dry.
8. If you've put on quarantine weight, it will help if you lose the weight. Extra weight=extra folds in the skin=more moisture.

You can expect that it will take 3-4 weeks to completely go away but it should improve with in one week of aggressive treatment.

If you try these things for a few days and you don't see the area getting better- less red, less itchy- then ask your doctor to call in a stronger anti-fungal for you. Sometimes the over-the-counter stuff just isn't strong enough to get the fungal overgrowth under control once it has gotten established.

Also, if it's not better after a week of treatment, you should have your doctor look at it. It's sometimes difficult to distinguish jock itch from other skin conditions like eczema and your doctor would need to examine the area to confirm that it is a fungal infection and not an allergic reaction.

 

[ShadowCat]

When I had a case of Jock Itch practically nothing I did gave me relief, until I started using Lotrimin ULTRA! This stuff worked without a RX I recommend getting the one for Athlete's foot *wait hear me out before rolling your eyes* The tubes specifically marketed for jock itch have a lot less cream in them the Athlete's Foot version has a lot more cream in it for a buck or 2 more! It is the same list of ingredients in the same order with the same strength and if it's over such a wide spread area then you'll thank me! Like others have said powder is great I personally couldn't use the powder spray it was just too hard to get the angles right. Dry your junk and DEFINITELY keep extra drawers with you boxers are your friend for the air flow. If you are still getting too much sweat goin on you might think about getting a separate unscented stick of antiperspirant and rubbing it on tp and applying it to your problem areas!