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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffJock itch is caused by fungi called dermatophytes. These microscopic organisms are normal inhabitants of your skin, and their growth stays in check as long as your skin is clean and dry. But on some areas of the body where skin is likely to be moist and warm, such as the groin, the fungi grow and thrive, resulting in a fungal infection.
This infection is often caused by the same type of fungus that causes athlete's foot and sometimes ringworm of the scalp. In fact, the fungus that infects your groin area may be spread there from your own athlete's foot infection.
Jock itch can spread from person to person by shared use of contaminated towels or clothing or through direct contact during sexual intercourse with someone who has the infection.
- Hainer BL. Dermatophyte infections. American Family Physician. 2003;67(1):101-108.
- Goldstein A, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug, 25, 2008.
- Nadalo D, et al. What is the best way to treat tinea cruris? The Journal of Family Practice. 2006;55(3):256-258.
- Gupta AK, et al. Optimal management of fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2004;5(4):225-237.
- Diflucan (prescribing information). New York, N.Y.: Pfizer; 2008.
- Grifulvin V (prescribing information). Raritan, N.J.: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation; 1997.
- Lawrence Gibson (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 9, 2008.
