female jock itch

Everything You Must Know About Female Jock Itch

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This article was reviewed by Dr. Emilija Ashtalkoska on August 12th, 2018. Products listed therein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

Overview

Jock itch can cause embarrassment, especially if it the urge to scratch it occurs in public. It is, therefore, necessary to understand what it is, its causes, and how to prevent and treat it.

Typically, jock itch refers to any rash that occurs in the groin area. It is known as tinea crusis medically. And although it affects men more frequently, it can also occur in females.

It is a type of ringworm infection that thrives in moist environments and it is contagious.

Below we will outline everything you need to know about female jock itch and female jock itch treatment.

 

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Terrasil Jock Itch Treatment MAX is one of the strongest over-the-counter jock itch treatments available today. The solution utilizes powerful, natural organic ingredients and is backed by 10 years of research.

The solution is FDA registered and utilizes various essential oils such as Tea Tree Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Magnesium Oxide, Beeswax, and clotrimazole, a popular antifungal agent.

Unlike many other jock itch solutions, the Terrasil formula can provide relief within days. This is remarkable, as many other solutions take weeks to provide results.

We highly recommend utilizing Terrasil Jock Itch Treatment MAX to treat your jock itch and any other fungal infections near the groin area.

In fact, we think it is one of the best jock itch creams on the market today. Please keep in mind that this solution cannot be used internally.

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Purely Northwest Antifungal Tea Tree Oil Body Wash is a phenomenal, powerful antifungal body wash that can help treat female jock itch. The solution is packed with strong essential oils with natural antifungal properties.

These include Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Peppermint Oil, Camphor Oil, and more. Simply apply the solution to the infected area, let it sit for 10 seconds, and then wash it off.

The solution is also completely free of parabens, alcohol, or any harmful fragrances.

We highly recommend utilizing a multi-pronged system – first, wash thoroughly with the Antifungal Tea Tree Oil Body Wash, and then once you are clean, apply the Terrasil Jock Itch Treatment MAX for maximum results.

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Symptoms of a Female Jock Itch

female jock itch treatment

Circular Rash: The infection occurs as a red ring or a circular rash, with elevated edges. At the center of the ring, the skin looks normal.

The rash may be flaky, and sometimes it peels off. The skin in the groin area may also crack open. In severe cases, secondary complications like ulcers, open sores, and cellulitis may result due to the infection.

Itchiness and Pain: The skin around the affected area may feel itchy, especially the skin folds on the groin. The itching is usually by a warming sensation initially and then can develop into a burning sensation as the infection progresses.

In severe cases of the jock itch, the inner thighs, buttocks, and labia also get affected, with the burning sensation causing pain.

During hot months, the condition is likely to recur, creating a lot of pain, itching, and discomfort.

Skin Color Changes and Hair Loss: The infection may lead to hair loss in the pubic area.

Hair falls out at the follicle or easily breaks off. Other people experience a change in skin color. It may become lighter or darker depending on an individual.

Redness and irritation: Due to the flaking and itchiness, the irritated edges of the skin can become inflamed and become reddish.

This is typical of some ringworm infections as well.

The Causes of Female Jock Itch

Several microorganisms have been identified as the leading causes of the jock rash, but other cases have been found to be noninfectious.

These are triggered by physical and environmental factors that irritate the skin. It is important to mention that some other skin diseases may resemble the jock itch, and sometimes it is hard to distinguish between them.

They include; allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, dandruff, heat rash, dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa.

Common causes of the jock itch include:

  • Skin friction, warmth, and moisture in the groin area.
  • Infections by yeast and fungus like candida and fungal molds.
  • Infections by some types of bacteria.
  • Wearing tight clothing and undergarments that trap sweat and moisture.

Jock itch is known to affect almost everyone at some point in life, but some groups of people are more susceptible to the infection.

They include people with obesity, diabetes, chronic illnesses, hepatitis, cancer, and other diseases that compromise the immune system.

Diagnoses & Treatment Jock Itch

female jock itch

Diagnosis

Although diagnosis mainly depends on the symptoms and skin appearance, a primary health care physician should be able to diagnose and treat jock itch accurately.

However, further examination may be necessary. Skin scrapings dipped in a drop of potassium hydroxide will help to confirm the presence or absence of jock itch.

A fungal culture may also be required, and sometimes a skin biopsy.

Sometimes when the infectious cause of the jock itch is unknown, a skin swab culture may be sent to the lab for further investigation. The doctor will then prescribe treatment depending on the results of the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment of jock itch depends on its severity and the exact cause of the infection. If the reason is moisture, tight clothing, or skin irritation, the remedy is to keep the area dry, avoid tight clothing, and use a little zinc oxide ointment to sooth the skin.

Please keep in mind that this website does not provide any medical advice.

You should always consult a doctor if you believe you have jock itch.

Home Remedies for Mild Female Jock Itch

If the jock itch is not so severe to warrant a doctor’s or skin specialist’s attention, it can be taken care of at home by doing the following:

  • Wash the groin area with warm water twice daily, using an antifungal body like the Purely Northwest Antifungal Tea Tree Oil Body Wash. Alternatively, use tea tree oil body wash liquid in your bathing water.
  • Thoroughly dry the area and avoid moist or damp clothing
  • Prevent skin irritation by avoiding underwear made from synthetic materials. Instead, choose those made from cotton.
  • Avoid fabric bleaches, softeners, and harsh detergents.
  • Always air your inner garments in an airy place, if possible, under direct sunlight.
  • Use antifungal creams continuously for up to four weeks. Creams like Terrasil Jock Itch Treatment MAX, Clotrimazole, Puriya Wonder Balm, and Lotrimin are useful for treating fungal infections and can be purchased even without a prescription.  
  • If your doctor prescribes and recommends it, you can take an antifungal pill like terbinafine or Diflucan.

Possible Complications of Jock Itch

female jock itch treatment

Sometimes, the jock itch can become so bad that it leads to other conditions. Although rare, it may spread past the groin to the genitals and inner thighs if left untreated.

Continued scratching and rubbing of the skin can deepen, causing the formation of abscess or cellulitis. Additionally, the fungal infection may start to emit a foul odor, which can be embarrassing.

Other complications include hypopigmentation. This is the lightening of the skin, more than the usual pigmentation. Alternatively, the surface may become darker, which is referred to as hyperpigmentation.

This typically happens after the rash has improved, and only occurs temporarily.

When to See a Doctor

If the rash is still present a week after using the mentioned medications and home remedies, it is time to visit a physician. Besides, if the rash worsens or has the following signs, a doctor’s involvement is inevitable:

  • Spreading of the rash
  • Too much pain
  • Pus formation and draining sores
  • Redstreak
  • Chills and fever

Conclusion

Jock itch is a condition that can be prevented if only the right measures are taken to keep the female groin area in a fungus-free condition. Undergarments should be changed as frequently as possible especially after sweating.

You should also avoid wearing tight clothes; the groin area needs to breathe as much as possible. Applying zinc oxide ointment or petroleum jelly before working out also reduces skin friction and damage.

Finally, treat athlete’s foot and nail fungus as soon as it occurs to avoid accidental spreading to the groin area. 

References

Sources for more information on tinea treatments: