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Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

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.

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In this Article

• Jock itch facts
• What is jock itch? What does jock itch look like?
• What causes jock itch?
• Who gets jock itch?
• What are jock itch symptoms and signs?
• 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?
• What is the treatment for jock itch?
• 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?
• What is the prognosis with jock itch?
• When should I call my doctor about jock itch?
• How do I prevent jock itch?
• Patient Comments: Jock Itch - Treatments
• Find a local Dermatologist in your town
• Jock Itch Index

Residual skin discoloration in the groin may persist for weeks to months after more severe forms of jock itch clear. This darkish discoloration is called hyperpigmentation and may be treated with one or a combination of

• hydroquinone 4% cream;
• kojic acid cream;
• azelaic acid 15% cream;
• over-the-counter fading cream with 2% hydroquinone (Porcelana);
• specially designed prescription creams for particularly resistant skin discoloration using higher concentrations of hydroquinone 6%, 8%, and 10% may also be formulated by prescription by compounding pharmacists.

Overall, the best jock-itch drug is a topical antifungal cream like miconazole, clotrimazole, or terbinafine. If the jock itch does not improve within two to three weeks of treatment, then a physician should be consulted.

The prognosis with jock itch is very good. Overall, jock itch tends to be an easily treated and curable skin condition. Commonly, it is a mild, benign, usually noncontagious, and self-limited skin condition. More widespread, atypical cases of jock itch may be embarrassing, chronically disfiguring, and psychologically distressing for the patient.

If your jock itch persists over one to two weeks despite proper skin care and use of over-the-counter medications, you may need to schedule an appointment to see your physician. In addition, if your rash is worsening despite medical treatment or if you develop any of the following signs of an advancing skin infection, you should contact your physician.

• Spreading despite treatment
• Increasing pain
• Rapidly spreading rash
• Formation of pus, abscesses, or draining sores
• Red streak(s) extending from the groin (called lymphangitis)
• Fever or chills
• Failing to improve after two weeks of continuous topical treatment