Dr. Alai is an actively practicing medical and surgical dermatologist in south Orange County, California. She has been a professor of dermatology and family medicine at the University of California, Irvine since 2000. She is U.S. board-certified in dermatology, a 10-year-certified fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Fellow of the American Society of Mohs Surgery.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Jock itch usually begins with mild intermittent itching in the groin. The
itching can get worse and become unbearable in some cases. The rash is usually
on both sides of the groin and affects the folds.
The rash may become dry, rough, and bumpy, develop pus bumps, or begin to
ooze. Sometimes, the uppermost skin clears as the rash spreads further down
onto the thighs. The itching and rash can spread to the genitals including the
labia, vagina, scrotum, penis, and anus.
Women may also develop vaginal white discharge and yeast infections. Men may
develop infections on the head of the penis, especially if they are not
circumcised.
Severe cases may be very uncomfortable and develop secondary complications
such as breaks in the skin, open sores, ulcers, and rarely cellulitis.
Does jock itch affect the entire body?
Jock itch does not affect the entire body. It is usually limited to the
groin, inner thigh folds, genitals, and anal area. Itching of the entire body is
called pruritus and is generally unrelated to jock itch.
How is jock itch diagnosed?
The diagnosis of jock itch is typically based on the symptoms and skin
appearance.
In some cases, a small skin biopsy may be used to help the doctor confirm the
diagnosis. Skin biopsy (surgically taking a small piece of skin using local numbing
medicine) with histopathological (exam of tissue under the microscope)
evaluation may also be useful in atypical or widespread cases. Sometimes skin
biopsies help to exclude other possible diagnosis. Other times, a skin swab or culture may be taken and sent to the lab
to detect an infectious cause of the jock itch. Usually, no specific laboratory tests are needed in the diagnosis of common
jock itch. Imaging studies like X-rays or CT scans are not useful. A bacterial
culture may be useful to check for bacteria like Staphylococcus on the skin.
Microscopic skin tests and fungal tests using potassium hydroxide may help to
determine if the jock itch is caused by yeast or a fungus. A few other medical conditions
may look just like jock itch and need to be examined more closely by a dermatologist.
Other medical conditions can mimic jock itch. Some possible mimics include
Jock itch may be caused by athlete's foot, also called tinea pedis. The same
fungus that causes athlete's foot in a person may actually spread over to the
groin in some cases. It is important to always check the feet for rashes in
people with jock itch. Spread of the fungus usually occurs when fungal
particles pass onto the crotch of the pants while actually getting dressed. Any
foot infection must be treated in order to avoid recurrence of the jock itch.
Yeast vaginitis is a yeast infection of the vagina. Symptoms include itching, burning, soreness, pain during intercourse and urination, and vaginal discharge. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter and prescription medications.
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
The term "ringworm" or "ringworms" refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. A physical examination of the affected skin, evaluation of skin scrapings under the microscope, and culture tests can help doctors make the appropriate distinctions. A proper diagnosis is essential to successful treatment. Among the different types of ringworm are the following: tinea barbae, tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea faciei, tinea manus, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a skin infection caused by the ringworm fungus. Symptoms include itching, burning, cracking, peeling, and bleeding feet. Treatment involves keeping the feet dry and clean, wearing shoes that can breathe, and using medicated powders to keep your feet dry.
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Neutropenia is a marked decrease in the number of neutrophils, neutrophils being a type of white blood cell (specifically a form of granulocyte) filled with neutrally-staning granules, tiny sacs of enzymes that help the cell to kill and digest microorganisms it has engulfed by phagocytosis.
Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been
considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight.
That ideal weight must take into account the person's height, age, sex, and
build.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle.
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