Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsContagiousnessRash DurationTreatmentJock Itch vs. HerpesPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Contagiousness
Rash Duration
Treatment
Jock Itch vs. Herpes
Prevention
Jock itch, also known astinea cruris, is a type offungal skin infectionthat causes an itchy, ring-shaped rash sometimes lined with tiny blisters. The rash develops in the moist skin folds of the groin, buttocks, inner thighs, and genitals.
Jock itch is treated with topical antifungals and, in severe cases, oral antifungals. Because of its appearance, it is occasionally mistaken forgenital herpes.
This article describes the symptoms, causes, and treatment of jock itch, and how the condition differs from herpes.
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What Are the Symptoms of Jock Itch?
Jock itch is a contagious fungal skin infection similar toringworm (tinea corporis)andathlete’s foot (tinea pedis). The fungus thrives on moist areas of skin, especially in the creases of the groin and buttocks.
Once an infection is established, the fungus will cause an itchy skin rash that spreads outward. If left untreated, the rash can spread to the upper thigh and anus, thescrotumin males, and thelabiain females.
Symptoms of jock itch include:
Symptoms of jock itch usually appear between four and 14 days after contact with the fungi.
Are Jock Itch Blisters Contagious?
The fungus that causes jock itch can vary depending on the part of the world you live in. The type most commonly seen in North America is calledTrichophyton rubrum. This same fungus can also cause athlete’s foot, ringworm, and fungal nail infections.
Jock itch can be spread in the following ways:
Risk factors for jock itch include:
How Long Do Jock Itch Blisters Last?
If left untreated, jock itch can last for months and cause cracking, bleeding, and pain. It can also spread to the parts of the body, such as the feet or nails, and be even harder to treat.
This is especially true with fungal nail infections (tinea unguium). These are notoriously difficult to treat and can persist for years, causing nail disfiguration, cracking, pain, and nail loss.
If treated appropriately, jock itch will usually clear within three to four weeks.
How Long Is Jock Itch Contagious?
How Do You Treat Jock Itch Blisters?
Jock itch is commonly treated with topicalantifungal drugs. These are applied in a thin layer to the affected skin twice daily (morning and night) for up to eight weeks.
There are two classes of antifungals your healthcare provider may prescribe:
Oral antifungals are available for severe cases of jock itch. These include Lamisil (terbinafine) tablets taken once daily for up to six weeks and Sporanox (itraconazole) capsules taken twice daily for a week.
Improved hygiene is also crucial to clearing the infection. That means keeping the affected areas clean and dry as part of your daily routine.
When to See a Healthcare ProvideJock itch is rarely serious and can often be treated at home. However, it is important to see a healthcare provider if:The rash hasn’t responded to home treatment within two weeks.Your symptoms are getting worse.There are signs ofinfectionsuch as fever, chills, a pus-like discharge, or worsening pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
When to See a Healthcare Provide
Jock itch is rarely serious and can often be treated at home. However, it is important to see a healthcare provider if:The rash hasn’t responded to home treatment within two weeks.Your symptoms are getting worse.There are signs ofinfectionsuch as fever, chills, a pus-like discharge, or worsening pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
Jock itch is rarely serious and can often be treated at home. However, it is important to see a healthcare provider if:
The 6 Best Toenail Fungus Treatments
What Are Other Causes of Blisters in the Groin Area?
Mainly affects the genitals
Causes clusters of blisters that can merge together
Blisters ooze and crust over
Cannot be cured
Treated with antivirals
Can also cause swollen lymph nodes and flu-like symptoms
Spread mainly through skin-to-contact during sex
Usually occur in skin creases around the groin
Blisters may form around the edges of a circular rash
Blisters weep without crusting
Can involve poor hygiene
Can be cured
Treated with antifungals
Symptoms localized to the skin
Spread through skin-to-skin contact and contaminated towels or sports clothing
Skin Conditions That Cause Itch
Can You Prevent Jock Itch Blisters?
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Jock itch.Centers for Disease Control and Protection.About genital herpes.American Academy of Family Physicians.Jock itch.Darade RB, Zambare KK, Jaiswal NR, Kaware AA.An overview on pharmacotherapy of jock itch (tinea cruris).Word J Pharm Res. 2020;9(1):851-856.Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-10.El-Gohary M, van Zuuren EJ, Federowicz A, et al.Topical antifungal treatments for tinea cruris and tinea corporis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Aug 4;(8):CD009992. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009992.pub2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.MyHealth Alberta.Jock itch: care instructions.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Jock itch.Centers for Disease Control and Protection.About genital herpes.American Academy of Family Physicians.Jock itch.Darade RB, Zambare KK, Jaiswal NR, Kaware AA.An overview on pharmacotherapy of jock itch (tinea cruris).Word J Pharm Res. 2020;9(1):851-856.Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-10.El-Gohary M, van Zuuren EJ, Federowicz A, et al.Topical antifungal treatments for tinea cruris and tinea corporis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Aug 4;(8):CD009992. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009992.pub2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.MyHealth Alberta.Jock itch: care instructions.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Jock itch.Centers for Disease Control and Protection.About genital herpes.American Academy of Family Physicians.Jock itch.Darade RB, Zambare KK, Jaiswal NR, Kaware AA.An overview on pharmacotherapy of jock itch (tinea cruris).Word J Pharm Res. 2020;9(1):851-856.Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-10.El-Gohary M, van Zuuren EJ, Federowicz A, et al.Topical antifungal treatments for tinea cruris and tinea corporis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Aug 4;(8):CD009992. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009992.pub2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.MyHealth Alberta.Jock itch: care instructions.
MedlinePlus.Jock itch.
Centers for Disease Control and Protection.About genital herpes.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Jock itch.
Darade RB, Zambare KK, Jaiswal NR, Kaware AA.An overview on pharmacotherapy of jock itch (tinea cruris).Word J Pharm Res. 2020;9(1):851-856.
Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617
Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-10.
El-Gohary M, van Zuuren EJ, Federowicz A, et al.Topical antifungal treatments for tinea cruris and tinea corporis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Aug 4;(8):CD009992. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009992.pub2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.
MyHealth Alberta.Jock itch: care instructions.
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