Why is my groin itching

If you have diabetes, your risk of jock itch is increased in two ways: the excess sugar emitted in your sweat provides food for fungus, and your immune system is not as strong in general, making you more at risk for common skin infections. With proper treatment, jock itch should clear up in three to four weeks. This infection often comes back more than once, especially if you also have fungal infections on your feet or toenails.

Jock itch can usually be treated with nonprescription antifungal creams, lotions, or powders applied to the skin for two to four weeks. If you are not responding to over-the-counter medications, your doctor may prescribe something stronger, including these topical medications:.

If you tend to get jock itch, you should continue to apply antifungal or drying powders after bathing to help prevent reoccurrence. Practicing good hygiene is the best defense against jock itch. Regular hand-washing can greatly reduce your risk of getting this infection from someone else. Wearing loose-fitting clothing, especially in hot and humid weather, can prevent sweat from creating the warm, moist environment in which the fungus thrives.

The AAD is a great resource for information about skin diseases and conditions. Although your primary care doctor can diagnose and treat jock itch, you can use this site to search for a dermatologist in your area if you prefer to see a specialist.

This component of the U. Department of Health and Human Services is a go-to source for up-to-date information, statistics, health-related travel advisories, and more. On the site, you can find detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for numerous forms of ringworm, including jock itch. Additional reporting by Joseph Bennington-Castro.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Jock Itch. Reviewed: January 22, Medically Reviewed. Jock itch is a type of fungal infection that affects the groin area, inner thighs, and buttocks. It's also known as tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin tinea is the medical term for ringworm , according to MedlinePlus. While jock itch is far much more common among men, due to the proximity of the scrotum to the thigh and the resulting friction and susceptibility to moisture, women can also be affected, notes the Merck Manual.

Symptoms typically appear between 4 and 14 days after the skin comes in contact with the fungi that cause ringworm, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. Diagnosis and management of tinea infections. American Family Physician. Ferri FF. Tinea cruris. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Accessed Dec.

Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte tinea infections. Accessed June 3, Papadakis MA, et al. Dermatologic disorders. New York, N. Fungal infections. Natural Medicines. El-Gohary M, et al. Topical antifungal treatments for tinea cruris and tinea corporis Review. Jock itch is a skin infection caused by a fungus. It's called jock itch because it's commonly seen in active people who sweat a lot while playing sports.

But anyone can get this infection. Jock itch or tinea cruris usually causes redness, flakiness, peeling, or cracking of the skin in the groin, thigh, and buttocks area.

The rash can look circular, with well-defined or even elevated edges. It can also spread to the area around the anus where poop comes out. It may itch, sting, or burn, or simply feel uncomfortable. A fungus is a microscopic plant-like organism that thrives in damp, warm environments. Fungi usually aren't dangerous. But when they infect the skin, they cause mild but annoying rashes also known as tinea infections. Jock itch is caused by fungi that normally live on the skin, hair, and nails , called dermatophytes.

When the groin, upper thighs, and buttocks area gets warm and moist, they can grow out of control and start to cause symptoms. Jock itch can spread from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments.

It can also spread to other areas of the body if someone touches the affected area and touches other body parts. Jock itch often spreads from a fungal infection on the feet, known as athlete's foot. Jock itch can affect anyone who tends to sweat a lot.