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[W409]What Causes Jock Itch

by Kevin Pederson, Kev

The other name for Jock Itch is Tinea Cruris. This is an embarrassing infection to reveal. It is a skin infection which mainly develops around groin due to the ideal environment it provides. The groin becomes the perfect area for the growth of the fungus as it is warm, moist and humid. Therefore increased amount of sweating, wearing wet clothes just makes things easier for the fungus. This kind of a problem is mainly seen with men in comparison to women. The jock itch fungus is known as the Trichophyton rubrum which also causes infection to the toes and other body parts. This fungal infection is related to athlete's foot and ringworm. The fungus is caused by several types of mold-like-fungi called dermatophytes which are microscopic fungi and bacteria. These dermatophytes survive on dead tissue of your skin, hair and nail which are warm and moist areas too.

Anyone and everyone can get it. Humid weather, friction with tight clothes, wearing same clothes for longer period are some of the binding reasons for jock itch. It may also be caused by wearing other people's clothing. These infections can be very severe and can cause lot of problems. Some of the common signs of jock itch are the elevated edges, red rashes sometime circular. You go through constant itching, chafing, combined with inflammation, burning sensation in the groin, thigh or anal area. You may also go through flaking, peeling or cracking of the skin. The vaginal area or the penis is not affected by the jock itch. You can feel it on the upper thigh which finds its way to the inner thigh and pelvis till it reaches the anal area.

Self-Care Measures

A good hygiene can take you a long way. By maintaining a good hygiene you can prevent jock itch.

Keep yourself always clean and dry

Wash the sensitive area and later dry it with clean towel to prevent fungus

Change your underwear everyday

You can also use anti-fungal powders or sprays which may be of vital importance in the act of prevention.

Avoid sharing your clothes or towels

Wear loose fitting clothes which are made of cotton this avoids friction

There are no exclusive home remedies for jock itch but some preventive measures of hygiene can be adhered to avoid this problem.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Jock itch is a kind of ringworm that is caused by a member of fungi family, well known as Tinea Cruris. When this fungi is seen under the microscope, it looks like branching, translucent and rod-shaped hyphae. The thickness of each hyphae is uniform right through that helps to differentiate it from the hair that tapers in the end.

Tinea Crusis generally breeds on the dead cells of the outer layer of body known as epidermis, nails and hair. Jock itch is widespread across the world but it is more common in the tropical regions as it has moist and warm atmosphere, which helps Tinea Crusis to increase fast in numbers.

This monstrous infection commonly occurs in the areas like upper thighs, groin, skin folds, buttocks, anal area and pelvis. Through various studies it has been observed that it does not occur in the body areas like scrotum and penis.

Symptoms

This contagious infection shows the following symptoms and signs:

- Itching and rashes in the inner thighs, genitals, buttocks, anal areas, skin folds and groin.

- The edges of the affected areas have scaly, distinct, sharp and vaguely raised patches. Sometimes bumps also appear which look like blisters.

- The affected areas also have burning sensations and inflammations.

- Peeling, cracking or flaking also occur on the different affected areas.

- Red brown color appears on the affected skin surface, which is conspicuous with the color of the other parts of the body.

Diagnosis

It is not difficult to recognize the symptoms of this monstrous disease. The appearance of rashes and other signs make it very easy to detect this disease. Your physician can scrape a bit of affected skin upon a slide and look under the microscope.

Treatment

This ringworm infection can be easily treated at your home with different powders and creams even without any prescription. But still it is better to have medications prescribed from a doctor so that jock itch never again occurs to you.

Following are listed some of the remedies:

- Wash the affected area using soap and gently get rid of dry pieces of skin. Then you can apply any of the cream, liquid spray, powder or ointment. The popular medications are miconazole, terbinafine, clotrimazole, lotrimin, monistat, micatin and lamisil being among the major ones.

- As many blisters also appear on the ringworm so you may use compresses like Burow's compress that will help to dry out and soothe the blisters in a big way. after the skin dries out, apply any of the antifungal creams.

Following are listed some of the top tips which can prove to be very valuable:

- Wear loose-fiting underwear and clothing.

- After exercising make sure you take a bath.

- Keep the areas of body hygienically clean and dry.

- Do not use towel, comb, hanker chiefs and clothing with anyone as it is a contagious infection.

- Always wash your exercise clothes after every use.

- Avoid using deodorant soaps.

Article Source : Pg. 170

About Author

Both Kevin Pederson & Patnaree are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Kevin Pederson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Nutrition, Fibromyalgia and Yoga Practice. Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which gives information on various illness. Click here to know more about Jock It. Kevin Pederson's top article generates over 110000 views. Bookmark Kevin Pederson to your Favourites.

Patnaree has sinced written about articles on various topics from Infections, Fitness. Please visit following website if you want to find out more about jock itch symptoms and treatments: Jock Itch Treatment. Patnaree's top article generates over 1300 views. Bookmark Patnaree to your Favourites.