Natural Jock Itch Treatment

What is Jock Itch, and what is the best natural treatment?

Jock itch is a very common fungal infection that occurs in the groin area and on the proximal part of the thighs. It has a sharply defined border against normal skin. It usually starts as itching, red small papules (bumps) that spread out radially, affecting larger and larger areas in this region. The different elementsusually merge, and form one large infected area. Itching is most intense in theactive border zone of the infection, which forms a slightly but sharply elevatedtransition zone towards normal skin, where one often can see crusts forming a semi circular line.The groin is the main area where it starts, but it can also occur on the inside of the proximal part of the thighs and around the anus.

The medical term for this infetion is tinea cruris. Jock Itch is caused by one of several fungi (dermatophytes), and most commonly thrives in sweaty and wet environment. Wet bathing suits and training dresses and moist underwear, and tighter clothing that rub against the skin makes favourable conditions for the fungus, after transmission has occurred. It is transmitted from others, via towels, saunas or from other parts of the body, for example from an athletes foot (dermatophytosis or fungal infection between the toes). It is very contagious, and may easily spread to other parts of the body by touch, like for instance touching an other area of the skin after having scratched the infected area. When it does spread, it is obviously important to treat all infected areas simultanously.

Tinea cruris often comes hand in hand with Athlete's Foot so it is important to treat both conditions to prevent cross contamination.

Click here to read about athletes foot

To read about the natural treatment of fungal infections in general, click here