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WE'VE ALL had it—a pesky persistent itch down there that demands to be scratched (and scratched and scratched) no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Awkward. If it sticks around, it could be jock itch. The good news is that you’re not alone. Jock itch is extremely common and also extremely treatable.
"Jock itch, or tinea cruris, is a superficial infection on the skin of the groin caused by a few different species of fungi," Evan Rieder, MD, dermatologist at NYU Langone Dermatology Associates says. It’s most common in men because of their groins’ external anatomy, which adds friction and contributes to a more humid environment. Plus, extra tight-fitting clothing, such as the jock strap, will really add fuel to the fire," Ross C. Radusky, MD, a dermatologist at SoHo Skin & Laser Dermatology, says (hence the name).
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Generally, jock itch can be treated and prevented with over the counter products, but like most medical issues, if it’s sticking around or you’re especially concerned, head to a dermatologist for an assessment (plus, to make sure it’s not something else). Dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, MD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics in Fulton, MD, often recommends a prescription antifungal wash to help clear up jock itch, for instance. Keep reading for everything you need to clear up the itch and keep it from coming back—for good.
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Pros
- Specifically targets the fungus that causes jock itch
- Dermatologist recommended
Cons
- May add moisture
Dr. Radusky recommends clotrimazole cream like Lotrimin to help control the fungus that causes jock itch (and athlete’s foot). He prefers the cream option to an ointment as it is less likely to add too much moisture to the groin area—and as we know, moisture equals more fungus.
Pros
- Dermatologist recommended
- Helps keep groin dry
Cons
- Miconazole Nitrate helps kill jock itch-causing fungus
Fungus loves moisture and nowhere on your body gets as moist and warm as your groin. But let’s get real, keeping it dry is an uphill battle. Dr. Radusky recommends medicated powders like this one instead of ointments as they not only contain ingredients (in this case, miconazole nitrate) that help kill fungus, but the powder formula won’t make the area even more moist.
Read more: How to Prevent Chafing
Pros
- Dermatologist recommended
- Terbinafine kills jock itch-causing fungus
- Easy-to-apply cream formula
Cons
- May add moisture
As another treatment option, Dr. Rodney also recommends terbinafine, found in this athlete’s foot cream, because it works to kill fungus but can “be safely used in the genital area.”
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Best Drying Powder
Gold Bond Medicated Body Powder
Pros
- Helps keep the groin dry and moisture-free
- Cooling sensation can calm itch
Cons
- Doesn’t contain a fungus-fighting ingredient
- May need to pair with another product
The hardest part about treating jock itch is keeping your groin dry because we are humans who sweat. Using a body powder like this won’t actually work to kill the fungus, but it helps keep your groin dry and moisture-free so the jock itch-causing fungus doesn’t grow.
Read more: How to Beat Swamp Crotch
Pros
- Super gentle
- Great for sensitive skin
- Formula doesn’t contain talc
Cons
- Doesn’t have any fungus-targeting medication
- May need to be paired with another treatment
Using body powder with harsh ingredients could be a recipe for disaster for anyone with sensitive skin (hello, irritation). This formula, however, is super gentle with no talc and soothing aloe and Vitamin E to help keep your skin calm, happy and, most of all, dry.
Pros
- Used by doctors
- Kills bacteria on the body
Cons
- Could be too harsh for sensitive skin
- Can leave skin dry
In terms of antimicrobial washes, this stuff is the big guns—it’s what doctors use to wash their hands when they scrub in. It’s germ-killing and antibacterial properties are top notch, which makes it great for getting your groin (or anywhere else on your body) super clean. It doesn’t have any specific fungus-killing ingredients, but it can prep your skin for another medicated cream or powder.
Read more: Best Body Washes for Men
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Pros
- Specifically formulated to clean your groin
- Charcoal helps to absorb dirt and oil
- Soothing ingredients can reduce itch and irritation
Cons
- No specific fungus-fighting ingredients
- Should be combined with a medicated powder or cream
The ingredients in this body wash are meant to target specific groin-related issues like swampiness, itch and odor. Charcoal helps to soak up oil and dirt while ingredients like coconut oil and aloe help to keep the area soothed and moisturized to cut down on itch. While there aren’t any ingredients that specifically target fungus, which means you’ll likely have to pair with a medicated cream or powder to address jock itch, we’re fans of anything that gets you take better care of your undercarriage.
Pros
- Helps prevent chafing
- Keeps your groin dry and soothed
- Cream to powder formula is easy to apply
Cons
- Won’t keep you from sweating
- Best if used with another medicated product
Using a “ball deodorant” like this won’t keep you from sweating (it’s not an antiperspirant, after all), but it will helps your undercarriage stay drier for longer. It’s an advantage if you struggle with swampiness or jock itch. There aren’t any actual fungus-fighting ingredients in this one, so you’ll need to pair with a medicated cream or powder, but you can also continue to use it after your itch clears up to help prevent it from coming back.
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Pros
- Contains botanical ingredients
- Helps maintain the pH balance of your groin skin
- Can help calm irritation and reduce ingrown hairs
Cons
- Not medicated
- Best if used after jock itch clears up
The botanical ingredients in this anti-chafe deodorizing spray help to keep your nether regions fresh for way longer than just a shower. Witch hazel and green tea help to not only soothe irritation but also maintain the pH balance of your skin to help reduce odor and bacteria growth. It’s best used after your jock itch is cleared up, though, as there are no actual fungus-fighting ingredients.
Read more: Best Body Sprays for Men
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What Causes Jock Itch?
To put it bluntly, your crotch can be a breeding ground for the fungus that causes jock itch, especially after a sweaty workout. "If you don't have time for a shower immediately after you work out, the sweat and bacteria our pores naturally emit down there have nowhere to go. It creates a tempestuous environment for tinea [fungus]," Dr. Radusky says.
If you have diabetes, you also may be more at risk. "Diabetes increases your risk of jock itch in two ways: the excess sugar emitted in your sweat is a fantastic food for fungus, and your immune system is not as strong in general, making you more at risk for common skin infections," he advises.
What Are The Symptoms of Jock Itch?
Unsurprisingly, the first sign of jock itch is usually an itch, "accompanied by a light pink or red rash with scaly flakes, usually on the outer edge of the rash," Dr. Radusky warns. "While it can start on the scrotum or the base of the penis, and work its way outward, the thighs and buttocks are the common areas affected." If left untreated, the rash will continue to spread onto your groin, resulting in cracked skin and occasionally a foul odor.
Can Jock Itch Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent jock itch is to shower immediately after working out and make sure you dry off as much as possible. Consider switching up your workout gear and wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear could help—synthetic fabrics sometimes don’t wick away moisture as well as the natural stuff, warns Dr. Rieder. But don’t go commando hoping that will solve the issue. "That may leave the skin exposed to harsh fabrics like denim, which can also be irritating," Dr. Rodney says. And going even further, put on your socks before putting on your underwear. The same fungus that causes athlete's foot also causes jock itch, and "the simple act of passing your feet through your underwear when you get dressed can pass that fungus up to your groin," says Dr. Radusky.
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What If These Treatments Don’t Work?
Head to the dermatologist, especially if the redness is spreading or you notice painful, cracked skin, says Dr. Rodney, who often gives patients a prescription antifungal wash that is left on for 10 minutes then rinsed off. “I recommend it because the moisture in the groin area is a main reason that fungal organisms thrive there. As the wash is rinsed off after 10 minutes, it does not add moisture to the area (unlike the topical antifungal creams). I also prefer it to the drying powders, because the wash is able to get into all the tiny crevices and hard-to-reach areas," she says.
The other reason to see a doctor? To make sure what you think is jock itch isn’t actually something else. “The rashes of psoriasis, certain bacterial infections, and yeast look similar, and the treatments are quite different," Dr. Radusky says.
Another option: "Terbinafine, the active ingredient in athlete's foot medication, can also be safely and effectively used in the genital area," says Dr. Rodney.
