1. Jock Itch Prevention
To prevent jock itch, try to keep your groin area clean and dry.
- Use cornstarch, powders, even antifungal powder, such as Desenex or Cruex, in the various skin folds.
- It is best to wear loose-fitting cotton underwear.
- From a public-health perspective, sterilizing linens by washing in hot soapy water with bleach can help in situations of communal bedding and bath linens
- Most cases of jock itch go away completely but commonly return if the physical environment recurs.
- An infection may come back for some people.
- In others, it may become chronic
Jock Itch Medications
The doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication based on your history, physical examination, and laboratory tests.- Skin creams or lotions will probably be the first-line therapy for any of the causes of jock itch. Which one is appropriate will depend upon your physician's diagnosis.
- Prescription topical antifungal medications may come in the form of a cream, powder, gel, or spray for application to the skin. Some topical therapies are available over the counter. Miconazole (Micatin, Monistat Derm), tolnaftate (Aftate, Ting, Tinactin), clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), and terbinafine (Lamisil) are some examples and probably are as effective as the medications available by prescription.
- For the bacterial infection of the groin (erythrasma), either topical or oral erythromycin is very effective.
- For jock itch that is not infected, application of nonprescription 1% hydrocortisone cream and a barrier cream like zinc oxide ointment is beneficial.
- Oral medications have a greater risk for side effects.
- They will be reserved for extensive, severe, or chronic infections.
- They may also be prescribed if topical therapy does not work. Commonly prescribed medications are itraconazole (Sporanox) and fluconazole (Diflucan).
- You will use the medication for one to several weeks because fungal infections can take a long time to clear
