Jock Itch (cont.)
Is jock itch curable? Is jock itch contagious?
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.
Next: What home remedy can I use for jock itch? »
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