Itching, redness, or scaling of the skin in ring or half-moon shapes Burning sensations Pain (usually bacterial infection) Blistering along the edge of the rash
You can buy these shampoos without a prescription, and some options include ketoconazole (Nizoral)[2] X Research source or selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue). [3] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Many of these shampoos are marketed for use against dandruff. However, skin fungus is a common cause of dandruff, and these shampoos do have antifungal formulations. [4] X Research source
Looser-fitting cotton underwear will help reduce excess sweating, and it will also allow sweat to dry faster. Change your towel every day while treating your jock itch, and do not share towels with anyone. You can use a powder like Gold Bond to keep the area dry.
Choose options that include terbinafine, miconazole, or clotrimazole. Brands with these as the active ingredients include Lamisil, Lotrimin, Micatin, and Monistat. [7] X Research source Always follow the directions on the packaging for your specific product, and contact your doctor if the symptoms don’t improve after two weeks. You can also apply a layer of zinc oxide ointment over the other products. This will help protect the skin from additional irritation and wetness. [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands after each application or any other time you come in contact with the region.
Mix one part aluminum salt with 20 parts water. Apply this solution to the infected area and leave it on for six to eight hours. It is best to apply it at night because that is when your sweat glands are least active. Wash the solution off when you think you will start sweating again. Repeat this process until the lesions become dry and start to fade.
Dip gauze or a washcloth in diluted white vinegar (one part vinegar to four parts water). Hold it against the infection twice a day. Once you remove the cloth, pat the skin dry but do not rub it too hard or the infection could scab over. Pour 1/4 cup of bleach (such as Clorox) into a bathtub full of water and soak in it daily or every other day for minor cases. Ensure that you thoroughly dry the skin when you get out. Apply a 0. 6% ajoene gel. This extract comes from garlic and contains a natural antifungal compound. You can apply it twice daily for up to two weeks. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Your doctor will likely swab the affected area and send the swab to a lab for a culture. This skin culture will help your doctor determine whether the jock itch is indeed fungal or caused by bacteria (commonly staphylococcus). [12] X Research source
Oxiconazole 1% (Oxistat) Econazole 1% (Spectazole) Sulconazole 1% (Exelderm) Ciclopirox 0. 77% (Loprox) Naftifine 2% cream Note that econazole, sulconazole, ciclopirox, and naftifine cannot be used in children. The side effect of these drugs include burning sensation, skin irritation, stinging, and redness.
Griseofulvin 250 mg twice daily until cure is reached Terbinafine 250 mg/day for 2-4 weeks Itraconazole 200 mg/day for 1 week Fluconazole 150 - 300 mg/week for 2-4 weeks Ketoconazole 200 mg/day for 4-8 weeks Note that these medications cannot be used in children or in pregnant women. The common side effects of these drugs include liver damage, dizziness, seizures, nausea, and vomiting. When prescribed, physicians generally monitor the patient’s liver functioning periodically.
Erythromycin applied twice daily Clindamycin applied twice daily Metronidazole applied twice daily Your doctor may also recommend that you use an antibacterial soap to wash the skin before applying these. OTC antibacterial soaps include Lever 2000 or a chlorhexidine soap such as Hibiclens.
Cephalexin (Keflex) Dicloxacillin Doxycycline Minocycline (Dynacin or Minocin) Erythromycin
