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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.
- Wear clean clothes. 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 and make 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. Control any athlete's foot infection to prevent its spread to the groin.
References
- Goldstein A, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
- Trevino J, et al. Tinea (dematophyte) infections. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/education/students/Tineainfect.htm. Accessed Sept. 27, 2010.
- Augenbaugh W. Cutaneous fungal infections. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00013-2--sc0100&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&sid=1060046265&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00013-2--s1795&uniqId=220345846-2#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00013-2--s1795. Accessed Sept. 27, 2010.
- Nadalo D, et al. What is the best way to treat tinea cruris? The Journal of Family Practice. 2006;55:256.
- Dermatophyte fungal infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1060047096&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0375&uniqId=220345846-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0375. Accessed Sept. 28, 2010.
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