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.
Most cases of jock itch are easily and fully curable. There are very
uncommon, long-standing cases of jock itch that may not be curable. Often these
more resistant cases may be controlled with proper treatment and medication.
Jock itch sometimes clears completely by itself without treatment.
Although most cases of jock itch are not contagious, cases caused by an
infection may be transmitted through skin or sexual contact, sharing of
swimwear, or towels. It is possible to transmit fungal jock itch to someone else
through close skin contact.
Some people are simply more prone to developing jock itch because of their
overall health, activity, anatomy, possible altered immune status, exposure
history, and other predisposing skin conditions like eczema. People with
athlete's foot (tinea pedis) are more prone to developing jock itch.
What are possible complications of jock itch?
Complications are infrequent since jock itch is usually a self-limited skin
condition. Rarely, the rash may spread past the groin onto the thighs and
genitals. Secondary skin infections from scratching or rubbing can uncommonly
deepen, causing cellulitis or abscess formation.
Another potential complication includes temporary skin discoloration called
post-inflammatory hypopigmentation (lighter than the regular skin color) or
hyperpigmentation (darker then the regular skin color). This altered skin color
may occur after the rash has improved or after a temporary flare. Permanent
scarring is uncommon.
How is jock itch treated?
There are many treatment options and skin-care recipes for treating jock
itch. Since the two primary causes of jock itch are excess moisture and fungal
infections, treatment depends on the exact cause of the jock itch. Treatment of
jock itch associated with skin irritation and excess moisture should address
general measures to keep the groin clean and dry. Treatment of fungal jock itch
should include antifungal creams used continuously for two to four weeks.
It is important to keep in mind that no therapy is uniformly effective in all
people. Your doctor may need to help evaluate the cause of your 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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