What is jock itch?
- Cause
- Fungi (dermatophytes)
- Contagious?
- Yes, through skin contact and shared towels
- Typical treatment
- An antifungal cream, used beyond when the rash clears
- Often linked to
- Athlete's foot
Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a type of ringworm, a skin infection caused by fungi called dermatophytes. These are the same fungi behind athlete's foot. It affects the groin, inner thighs and sometimes the buttocks.
It's most common in men and teenage boys, athletes and anyone who sweats a lot, but anyone can get it. It spreads through skin contact and shared towels or clothing, and very often from your own feet when you have athlete's foot.
Signs of jock itch
Jock itch has a fairly typical look:
- An itchy rash in the groin folds or on the inner thighs
- Red, brown or darker skin, depending on your skin tone
- A raised, scaly edge that spreads outward, often with clearer skin in the middle
- Burning or stinging
- Flaking, peeling or cracked skin
- Itching that gets worse after exercise or sweating
Signs of a different or more serious problem
Get the rash seen in person if you notice:
- Open sores, pus, or skin that's hot, swollen and increasingly painful
- Fever with a spreading rash
- Blisters or ulcers on the genitals, which can be a sign of an STI
NoteJock itch usually leaves the scrotum alone. A bright red, moist rash that involves the scrotum or has small satellite spots may be a yeast infection instead. Intertrigo, psoriasis and erythrasma can look similar too, so have a rash reviewed if an antifungal hasn't helped within two weeks.
What raises your risk
- Heat and sweat
- Fungi grow best in warm, moist skin folds.
- Tight clothing
- Snug underwear and athletic gear trap moisture against the skin.
- Athlete's foot
- The fungus can travel from your feet to your groin on hands or towels.
- Shared towels and gear
- Locker rooms and shared laundry make spread easier.
- Larger skin folds
- Extra body weight creates more warm, damp areas.
- Diabetes or a weakened immune system
- These make fungal infections more likely and harder to clear.
How jock itch is diagnosed
Jock itch is usually recognized by its appearance and location. Your provider will ask where the rash is, what it looks like, how long you've had it, whether you have athlete's foot and what you've already tried.
If the diagnosis is unclear or the rash isn't responding to treatment, a clinician can scrape a few skin cells and look for fungus under a microscope.
Clearing jock itch
Most jock itch clears with an antifungal cream. The most common mistake is stopping as soon as the itch fades. Keep applying it for a week or two after the rash looks gone so the fungus doesn't come back.
| Antifungal cream | Over the counter |
|---|---|
| Stronger creams if needed | For rashes that don't respond to over-the-counter products |
| Other treatment options | For widespread or stubborn infections |
Apply the cream to the rash and a small margin of normal skin around it. Avoid using steroid creams such as hydrocortisone on their own. They can make a fungal rash spread and harder to diagnose.
Helping the rash heal
- Wash and dry the area thoroughly, patting rather than rubbing
- Wear loose, breathable cotton underwear
- Change out of sweaty clothes as soon as you can
- Treat athlete's foot at the same time, if you have it
- Put on socks before underwear, so fungus from your feet doesn't reach your groin
Is an online jock itch visit right for you?
Online care is often a good fit if you:
- Have an itchy groin or inner-thigh rash
- Tried over-the-counter cream without success
- Keep getting jock itch back
- Want a private, convenient way to get it checked
Get in-person care if you:
- Have open sores, pus or a fever
- Have blisters or ulcers on the genitals
- Have a rash spreading well beyond the groin
- Have a weakened immune system and a severe rash
How PulseCareMD can help with jock itch
A PulseCareMD visit lets you get a stubborn rash looked at privately, without an awkward in-person appointment. Your visit fee covers the consultation.
Describe the rash
Answer a short questionnaire about where it is, how it looks and what you've tried.
A provider reviews it
A licensed provider checks that your rash looks fungal rather than something else. Many visits are reviewed within 2–3 hours.
Get a treatment plan
Your provider will explain your treatment plan.
Keeping jock itch from coming back
Jock itch often recurs. These habits make that less likely:
Dry off completely
Especially the groin and between your toes after showers and swimming.
Shower after workouts
Don't sit around in damp gym clothes.
Keep towels to yourself
Use your own towel and wash it regularly in hot water.
Change underwear daily
More often if you sweat a lot.
Use antifungal powder
A light dusting in skin folds can help if you're prone to it.
Don't ignore athlete's foot
Treating it removes a common source of reinfection.
Frequently asked questions
When to get urgent care
Seek same-day in-person care if a groin rash comes with:
- Fever and spreading redness, warmth or swelling
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain
- Skin turning dark, blistering or breaking down
