In this Article

• What is jock itch? What does jock itch look like?
• What causes jock itch? Who gets jock itch?
• What are signs and symptoms of jock itch?
• Does jock itch affect the entire body?
• How is jock itch diagnosed?
• Is jock itch curable? Is jock itch contagious?
• What are possible complications of jock itch?
• How is jock itch treated?
• What home remedy can I use for jock itch?
• What holistic jock itch treatments are available?
• How do I treat fungal jock itch?
• How do I treat bacterial jock itch?
• How is itching from jock itch treated?
• Why is my groin still discolored?
• What is the best drug for jock itch?
• When should I call my doctor?
• What is the prognosis with jock itch?
• How do I prevent jock itch?
• Jock Itch At A Glance
• Jock Itch Glossary
• Jock Itch Index

How do I treat bacterial jock itch?

Mild bacterial jock itch may be treated with:

• antibacterial skin washes like Lever 2000 soap or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) soap twice daily.

Moderate bacterial jock itch may be treated with:

• antibacterial skin washes like chlorhexidine soap twice daily and



• twice-daily application of a topical antibiotic like clindamycin lotion or metronidazole (Flagyl) lotion.

Severe bacterial jock itch may be treated with:

• antibacterial skin washes like chlorhexidine soap twice daily,



• twice-daily application of a topical antibiotic like clindamycin lotion or metronidazole lotion, and



• a five- to 14-day course of an oral antibiotic like cephalexin (Keflex), dicloxacillin, doxycyline, minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin), tetracycline (Sumycin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Cipro XR, Proquin XR), or levofloxacin (Levaquin) for more resistant situations.

How is itching from jock itch treated?

Inflammatory itching from jock itch can be treated with a short course of one of the following:

• Use a short five- to seven-day course of a mild to medium potency, topical steroid cream like prescription triamcinolone 0.025% once or twice a day for inflamed or itchy areas.



• Use a short five- to seven-day course of a mild over-the-counter topical steroid cream like hydrocortisone (Cortaid) one to three times a day for itching.



• Use a topical immunomodulator such as pimecrolimus (Elidel) cream or tacrolimus (Protopic) ointment twice a day. Although these creams are approved for atopic dermatitis and eczema, their use would be considered "off label" (non-FDA labeled use) for jock itch.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• metronidazole, Flagyl - Explains the medication metronidazole (Flagyl) an antibiotic drug used against anaerobic bacterteria and certain parasites like giardia and ameba that can infect parts of the human body. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
• Skin Biopsy - Read about the skin biopsy procedure and what to expect if your doctor orders this procedure for a lesion.
• Yeast Infection - Learn about vaginal yeast infection symptoms like vaginal burning, itching, soreness discharge, and pain during sex and urination. Treatment information is included in the information.

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