Written by Itching in public is an unpleasant situation, itching occurring in the body part that we cannot scratch is even more annoying. Jock itch is such a situation. It is a condition in which people experience redness, rash, itching, and burning sensation in the groin area. Fortunately, it does not give rise to severe health issues, and most cases are easily and quickly treatable. In this article, we are going to bring you details about this disease and the best ways on how to get rid of jock itch in children and adults in one week. Keep reading and get full knowledge.
- 15 Best natural treatments for jock itch relief
- Top 25 effective solutions for skin fungus infection
- Top 26 worth-trying ways to get rid of itchy skin
Top 15 Tips To Get Rid Of Jock Itch In Children & Adult In A Week
I. What Is Jock Itch And What Causes It?
1. What Is Jock Itch?
Jock itch, also called tinea cruris, is a fungal infection of the groin area[1]. It begins with red rash skin and itching in the groin. Rashes spread out from the folds on both sides of the groin to the inner thighs, and affected skin areas become flaky, scaly, peeling, or blistering. Redness and itching conditions will get worse with heavy activities.
2. What Causes Jock Itch?
Dermatophyte, a strain of fungi is the main culprit of jock itch. These microorganisms often live on the skin and can multiply rapidly in a moist, humid environment. Thus, you tend to see jock itch in warm and damp areas, such as the groin, inner thighs, genitals, and buttocks. Jock itch caused by fungi is highly contagious. You can get fungal infections through direct contact with the person carrying the disease, or through contact with that person’s personal items. Sometimes, jock itch develops as a consequence of infections by bacteria or a type of yeast called Candida albicans.
Although this disease is more common in men, anyone has a chance to suffer from it. People who are susceptible to jock itch include:
- Patients with diabetes, obesity.
- People with a poor immune system or people who use drugs affect the normal functioning of the immune system.
- Whose occupations require a lot of exercises, resulting in more sweating.
- People who are having other fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot.
II. How To Get Rid Of Jock Itch
The recipes we've focused on are traditional home remedies that can be used alongside usual medical treatment. Always consult your doctor about recurrent infections, and if symptoms are getting worse rather than better.
1. Keep Good Hygiene
Since one of the primary risks of jock itch is excess moisture, keeping the skin in the groin area clean and dry is essential. It is best to wash the groin skin with warm water 2 to 3 times a day, then dry thoroughly with a soft towel. Remember not to use that towel on other parts of the body to avoid spreading the itch.
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2. Eat Proper Foods
Having a diet with antifungal properties will help you a lot in treating jock itch as it can inhibit the development of fungi or even kill them. Consume more nuts and seeds, meat and poultry, plain yogurt, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid foods that are high in sugar and carbohydrates such as sweet chocolate, candy, cookies, and fried foods because they will stimulate fungi and bacteria growth. Besides, you should avoid alcohol because it can slow down the recovery process.
3. Wear Loose Cotton Clothing
If you wear a tight, 100% cotton underwear, the fabric will block the pores in the groin, making them unable to breathe. As a result, your skin will sweat more, allowing the fungus to grow. Therefore, choosing the right type of underwear will keep the groin skin from irritation and avoid worsening the itching situation.
4. Change Clothes Daily
If you do not change clothes, especially undergarments daily, sweat, and toxins in dirty clothes will diffuse into the skin, leading to various dermatological diseases, and jock itch is one of them. When washing clothes, do not use intensely perfumed softeners and laundry powders, or any fabric bleach to ensure not to cause further redness and irritation.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
The acidity of apple cider vinegar (ACV) has powerful antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial that help a lot in healing both bacterial and fungal jock itch[2]. ACV also has drying qualities, which can prevent the affected area from additional infections.
Direction:
- Mix equal amounts of ACV with water and pour the mixture into a sprayer.
- Spray the diluted ACV on the skin and let it dry naturally.
- Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
6. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a primary component in baby powders. It effortlessly absorbs the moisture of the skin, keeps it dry, and reduces itching[3]. For this remedy, you sprinkle some cornstarch on the itch and leave it there for brushing off itself. You can apply this remedy a couple of times during a day.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda has drying properties, which provide high efficiency in soothing the rash. It also contains antifungal agents and can neutralize the pH level of the affected skin to control the itch expansion[4].
- Blend two tablespoons of baking soda with water to make a thick paste.
- Spread the paste over the groin skin.
- Wait for 15 minutes and wash off. After that, pat the skin dry.
- Do this twice daily.
8. Oatmeal And Epsom
Epsom salt is a hygroscopic ingredient that will imbue all the excess dampness of the skin so that fungi and bacteria have no favorable environment to reproduce. It is also an antimycotic medication usually used to treat mycosis like jock itch. Oatmeal has healing properties to soothe itching and diminish inflammation.
Preparation:
- 2 cups of oatmeal
- 1 cup of Epsom salt
- 10 drops of lavender oil (of choice)
- Warm water bathtub
Direction:
- Add oatmeal, Epsom salt, and lavender oil to the bathtub.
- Soak in for about 20 minutes and rinse with clean water.
- Perform every day for soon responses.
9. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has cooling and healing effects, which help reduce itching in affected areas. According to scientists, aloe vera holds within its composition antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that may relieve your discomfort[5] [6].
Direction:
- Peel an aloe vera leaf and take out the gel.
- Apply aloe vera gel to the rash and let it sit until reaching to body temperature.
- Repeat the method 2 to 3 times a day.
10. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil provides a potent antifungal impact to fight against fungi in charge of some basic skin and nail infections, including jock itch. Lavender oil comes with fungicidal and fungistatic properties[7] [8]. These properties may fight against the infection, causing jock itch.
To properly use lavender oil to treat jock itch, do not forget to dilute it with a carrier oil (coconut oil for example) before applying to the skin.
11. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a kind of essential oil that is utilized in different skin diseases. It is a hero in jock itch treatment because it has strong antifungal, antiseptic, and germicidal abilities to destroy fungus and calm down inflammation[9] [10] [11].
Direction:
- Combine 3-4 drops of tea tree oil with 30ml of olive oil or coconut oil.
- Apply to the skin and allow it to penetrate.
- Do this twice a day until the itch is gone.
12. Calendula Oil
Calendula oil is extremely suitable for people with sensitive skin type to get rid of jock itch as it has a gentle calming effect. The antifungal agents and vitamin E content responsible for repairing damaged skin tissues of this oil make it a great choice for jock itch relief[12]. You drizzle some drops of calendula oil to a cotton ball and dab on wherever exist rash.
13. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil possesses the antifungal properties, which make it effective in treating jock itch even when used individually without combining with any other ingredients[13]. It restrains the growth of fungi and reduces redness, itchiness, and irritation.
Direction:
- Soak cotton pads into coconut oil.
- Cover each pad on one affected area and wait for the oil to get deep into the skin.
- Repeat the procedure thrice a day.
14. Garlic And Honey
Researchers have demonstrated that garlic shows amazing antifungal properties to combat fungus causing jock itch because it contains a huge mass of sulfides[14]. Garlic may bring on mild irritation while honey with soothing capacity will be there to solve the problem. And not to mention, honey has anti-inflammatory activity that also lends a hand to improve the itching condition. It also possesses antifungal properties, which may combat the infection caused due to jock itch[15] [16].
Direction:
- Mince 1 to 2 garlic cloves and mix it with 1 tablespoon of raw honey.
- Apply the mixture to the affected skin and wait for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off and dry the skin out before putting on clothes.
- Rehash this remedy twice daily.
15. Onion
Onion is a natural antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory ingredient that can be found in every kitchen. It further has allicin, an antifungal peptide[17], which shows potent inhibitory effect on several fungal infections.
Direction:
- Chop a quarter of an onion into tiny pieces, extract the juice.
- Immerse a cotton ball in the onion juice and dab on the groin skin.
- Let it stay for around 20 minutes and wash off.
- Apply this remedy twice a day.
III. How To Prevent Jock Itch From Recurring?
As with treatment, the best way to prevent jock itch is to keep the skin dry and clean all the time. Take a shower or bath and change your clothes daily, make sure not to wear clothes when your body is still wet. You can consider scooping baby powder onto the skin to absorb moisture.
In the case you are in the trouble of a fungal infection, for instance, athlete’s foot, immediately treat it since the cause of it and jock itch is similar. Hence, it can prompt the recurrence of jock itch.
Because germs can be transmitted from one person to another through private items, by not sharing towels with others, you have protected yourself from a path of infection. Likewise, if you are having a certain type of fungal infection in any area of your body, do not use the same towel for that area on the groin to avoid contaminating the fungus.
IV. When To See Doctor?
If your symptoms do not progress after 1 or 2 weeks of treatment at home, or if any of the following symptoms appear, you should have an appointment with an expert for timely advice:
- Increasing pain or burning in the infected areas.
- Visible pus, abscess or drainage in damaged skin.
- Development of fever.
Here you have acquired the most fundamental info about jock itch. But please note, all contents provided are for informational & educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you. We hope that you successfully prevent get rid of jock itch with our instructions. Leave a comment in the box below to share your experiences, and visit our main How To page to find more articles about other health and skin care tips.
Read more: Top 14 Natural Home Treatments For Boils. This article was medically reviewed/fact checked by Sarah Brewer MSc, MA (Cantab), MB, BChir, RNutr, MBANT, CNHC.
