Tinea Cruris - Causes, Symptom And Treatment of Tinea Cruris

What is Tinea Cruris ?

Tinea Cruris is commonly known as jock itch or ringworm of the groin. This is an infection brought on by fungi.

The fungus causing tinea cruris prefers moist, warm skin; this is why tinea cruris favors the groin area and is often worse in hot weather. Not all groin rashes are tinea cruris, only those caused by fungus growing on the skin.

Causes of Tinea Cruris

Tinea cruris is caused by a fungus infection of the skin. The fungus grows best in warm moist places, and it has a tendency to get worse during the summer because sweating is increased.  While your in my office a simple lab test can  be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Symptoms of Tinea Cruris

Some of the common symptoms of tinea cruris are :

• The infection often takes the form of a fairly large, scaly, red-brown patch on the groin.
• Typically the tinea cruris (groin) becomes itchy and irritable, mainly in the crease between the top of the leg and the genitals. It is more common in men, and the scrotum may also be itchy.
• Skin becomes dark or light.
• The disease is most active at the edges of the patch

Prognosis of Tinea Cruris

Tinea Cruris is good if the treatment is persisted with the newer fungicidal agents and the predisposing causes are corrected.

Treatment of Tinea Cruris

Tinea cruris is treated by applying antifungal medicine thinly with your fingertips, as directed.  Spread the medicine on sparingly and massage it in gently until it disappears.  To prevent recurrences, continue the antifungal medicine for two weeks after the rash has cleared up.

Apply nothing else to your groin except water.  Cleanse your groin with plain water, since soap aggravates groin rashes.  Dry the area thoroughly after bathing.

Tinea cruris usually clears up promptly with antifungal medicines applied to the skin.

Tips for Preventing Tinea Cruris

• Keep the skin clean and dry daily.
• Wear loose fitting clothing.
• Change socks frequently - this is especially important for those who have a tendency to perspire a lot.
• Try to wear open-toed shoes.
• Wash hands after handling animals, soil, and plants
• Avoid touching characteristic lesions on other people
• Practice good hygiene when participation in sports involves physical contact with other people.