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Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
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Mayo Clinic Housecall
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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffReduce your risk of jock itch by taking these steps:
- Bathe daily. Shower or bathe daily and after exercising, participating in sports or sweating excessively. This helps keep the number of bacteria on your skin in check. Wash your hands often to avoid the spread of infection.
- Stay dry. Keep your groin area dry. Dry your genital area and inner thighs thoroughly with a clean towel after showering or exercising. Use powder around your groin area to prevent excess moisture.
- Keep clean. Change your underwear at least once a day or more often if you sweat a lot. Wash workout clothes after each use.
- Be cool. Don't wear thick clothing for long periods of time in warm, humid weather.
- Find the correct fit. Make sure your clothes fit correctly, especially underwear, athletic supporters and sports uniforms. Avoid tightfitting clothes, which can rub and chafe your skin, making you more susceptible to jock itch. Try wearing boxer shorts rather than briefs.
- Don't share personal items. Don't let others use your clothing, towels or other personal items. Refrain from borrowing these items from others as well. Also make sure shared exercise machines are cleaned between uses.
- Treat athlete's foot. Keep on top of athlete's foot to prevent its spread to the groin.
References
- 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.
