Posts Tagged ‘Jock Itch’

Jock Itch Tinea Cruris

Jock itch, Tinea cruris, Tinea of the groin are all phrases referring what is commonly called “jock itch”  Affecting people around the world, Jock itch is just one of superficial fungal infections of the skin, known as dermatophytes. These are some of the most common self-treatable trivial medical conditions. As opposed to more serious fungal conditions, such as candidiasis or sporotrichosis, dermatophytes are limited to the upper layer of skin.  Living there undetected they feed on the dead skin cells called keratin.  Unlike yeast infections, tinea cruris generally does not involve the scrotum or the penis.  It is very common and affects men more often than women and rarely affects children.

As many as one in five Americans have a dermatophyte infection at any particular time. The most common dermatophytic infection in the United States is athlete’s foot or tinea pedis. Tinea corporis and tinea cruris are also quite common. In a large part Tinea Cruris begins as Tinea Pedis and is spread to the groin area unsuspectingly. Keeping feet clean and dry, not sharing socks or contaminated articles and wearing shower shoes goes a long way to keeping Athlete’s Foot from spreading to the genitial area.   Most experts will recommend boiling the underclothing or contaminated garments thoroughly to minimize the possibility of re-infection.

Humidity and moisture play contributing roles in the contraction of any fungal infection. The way the infection spreads is similar to the growth patterns that are seen in molds, mildew, and similar plant species.  Jock itch usually begins with mild sporadic itching in the groin. The itching can get progressively worse and become quite unbearable. The itching rash is usually found on both sides of the groin and affects the skin folds, the inner thighs and genitals. Direct skin contact raises the chances of contracting a fungal infection. Humans are far more likely to contract a fungal infection or ringworm from places like a school, playground, gym, or shower facilities.

Tinea of the groin, Jock itch or Tinea cruris tends to have a reddish-brown color and to extend from the folds of the groin down onto one or both thighs. Other conditions that can be confused with Tinea cruris include yeast infections, psoriasis, and intertrigo, a chafing rash which results from the skin rubbing against the skin. Persons with atopic dermatitis, which is a persistent inherited skin affliction characterized by itchy, inflamed rashes on the skin may also be more susceptible to contracting jock itch.

Antifungal Jock Itch Ringworm

As many as one in five Americans have a dermatophyte infection at any particular time. When talking about the number of people affected,   the overall rate of recurrence is surpassed only by acne. The most common dermatophytic infection in the United States is athlete’s foot or tinea pedis. Jock itch follows very closely behind.  In some cases it is the athlete’s foot infection that is unwittingly spread to the groin causing tinea cruris or jock itch.  Jock itch, ringworm, tinea of the groin are all phrases referring what people commonly call “jock itch “around the world.

There are several types of ringworm or tinea infections.  They are as follows: Tinea barbae: ringworm of the bearded area of the face and neck, Tinea capitis: ringworm of the scalp, Tinea corporis: fungus that attacks the skin of the body, Tinea cruris: Tinea of the groin (“jock itch”) Tinea faciei: ringworm on the face except in the area of the beard, Tinea manus: ringworm of the hands Tinea pedis: Athlete’s foot and Tinea unguium: fungus of the nails.

Tinea of the groin tends to have a reddish-brown color and to extend from the folds of the groin down onto one or both thighs. There are other conditions that are often confused with tinea cruris and they include yeast infections, psoriasis, and intertrigo, a chafing rash which results from the skin rubbing against the skin.

In most cases, ringworm infections of the skin can be treated with antifungal creams or ointments. Antifungal cream can be found in several varieties. Even if using an antifungal jock itch ringworm can reoccur.  It is important to follow the directions when treating the infection.  Pay particular attention to keep from contaminating whatever product is used to treat the jock itch infection.  This is often blamed for incidences of re-infection.  When suffering from both athlete’s foot and ringworm affecting both of the groin and legs, both infections should be treated.  This will prevent re-infection from recurring in the legs or groin.   With athlete’s foot fungus, use caution when putting on underclothing to keep from spreading it to the groin area.

Good health does not stop people from contracting this infection. It is noted that these infections occur more often in teenagers and young adults.   However, jock itch is more likely to show up if a person has a suppressed immune system or is experiencing hormonal imbalances.

Antifungal Rash Ringworm

A group of many microorganisms, including a group of yeast species called Malassezia, live more or less undetected on our skin.  The yeast can alter its shape under particular circumstances from a round or oval yeast form to a more string-like, branching rash. The yeast can travel under the skin and generate an acidic substance. This substance can alter the level of pigment or color in new skin cells.  The yeast causes a fungal infection or rash, ringworm.

Arms, hands, neck, legs, feet, etc. are all areas ringworm likes to target because rash ringworm usually occurs on the body parts that are exposed.  The normal appearance is that they form circular growths that may vary darker or lighter than the normal skin color.  Symptoms may include skin lesion, rash and itching of the infected area. Ringworm infections are common where conditions are unsanitary and crowded with people.

Most people who become infected with fungal rash ringworm are in good health. If you are taking a corticosteroid medication such as prednisone for another health problem there is a higher risk of contracting an infection.  It is also seen more often in women who are taking some form of birth control pills. This is also this case for women who are pregnant.  An over-the-counter antifungal cream or ointment is the usual treatment for ringworm, except for tinea capitis, which is much more difficult to treat and often requires several months of an oral medication. Even with the use of a antifungal rash ringworm and other skin infections could reoccur.

Ringworm is a highly contagious skin infection.  This infection can affect both animals and humans.  The rash may be mildly irritating, but sometimes it is very itchy and inflamed. The rash may vary depending on which type of fungus causes the infection. Sometimes fungal skin infections look similar to other skin rashes, such as psoriasis.  The fungi can travel around the body in the blood stream which enables them to spread to the warm, moist areas of the body. This gives rise to vaginal Candidiasis, Jock itch and an array of other problems both inside and outside of the body.  What happens when the rash starts to develop is a small area of infected skin will spread outwards. It typically develops into a circular, red, inflamed patch of skin. It is rarely serious, but in most cases requires treatment of some kind.

Antifungal Ringworm Athletes Foot

Ringworm Athlete’s foot and other such fungal infections of the skin are caused by superficial fungal infections of the skin, known as dermatophytes. These are some of the most common contracted self-treatable minor medical conditions. As opposed to more serious fungal conditions, such as candidiasis or sporotrichosis, dermatophytes are limited to the upper layer of skin, where they subsist on the dead skin cells called keratin.

Ringworm is not caused by a worm or other parasite.  Fungi are present everywhere in our environment, including on the human body. They thrive in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in skin folds. In most cases, they are easy to eradicate.  Ringworm of the skin is most commonly caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum, which spreads from one person to another. It can also be caused by Microsporum canis, which is spread by cats and dogs. This type is less common but causes a more severe infection.

Some people are more likely susceptible to fungal infections than others. The tendency to get fungal skin infections or to have them return after treatment seems to run in families. In spite of the use of an antifungal ringworm athlete’s foot can be a recurring problem.  Common in male athletes, but the general population is also susceptible to this fungal infection. Ringworm is common among wrestlers, probably because of the skin-to-skin contact. Using public showers and locker rooms will greatly increase the odds of someone contracting Athlete’s foot.

Fungi grow best in steamy locker rooms.  These places are filled with damp towels, sweaty workout clothes, and wet floors.  Sharing contaminated items like towels, clothing, and sports equipment, and by direct contact with an infected person is a dangerous practice when trying to avoid the spread of ringworm athlete’s foot. Most ringworm infections cause a rash that may be peeling, cracking, scaling, itching, and red. Sometimes the infection can form blisters, especially on the feet.  While extremely annoying, athlete’s foot usually is not serious, but secondary bacterial infection are something to be concerned about. Coming down with a secondary infection is a hazard that can sometimes accompany the fungal infection.

These secondary complications may develop as such things as breaks in the skin, open sores, ulcers.   A ringworm infection of the groin or “jock itch” is often passed to other body parts by unsuspecting patients by accidentally spreading athlete’s foot fungus to the groin area.  People with athlete’s foot also commonly spread it to their hands.  This is called tinea manuum.

Jock itch ringworm is not a worm at all, jock itch ringworm is in fact a fungal infection that affects the outer layers of skin, hair, or nails. This infection is most common in adult and middle-aged men.  Anyone can get jock itch, which is normaly thought to affect nearly all people at some point in their lives. Frequently documented in otherwise healthy patients, those with diabetes, obesity, and those with a weakened immune system like in HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, chronic illnesses, and cancer cases may be more susceptible. Other issues like regular chemotherapy, immunosuppressive drugs like prednisone, and those on biologic immune-system-modifying drugs may also make a person more prone to jock itch.

Potential causes of this common groin irritation include irritation from tight or chafing underclothing, surplus moisture, sweating, skin rubbing or friction, allergic issues, fungal infection, Candida or yeast infection, and bacterial overgrowth or skin infection.  Cases of jock itch caused by an infection may be transmitted through skin or sexual contact, sharing of swimwear, or towels although most cases of jock itch ringworm are not contagious.

Jock itch is an itchy rash affecting the groin that is very common.  With or without a visible red or pink rash in the groin folds and genitals it can cause an extremely intense itch. Sometimes, there may be no rash at all and at other times there may be a dry, scaly rash or a group of small, pinpoint red or pink bumps at each hair follicle. The rash may become dry, rough, and bumpy.  In some cases pus bumps may develop and begin to ooze. It is not uncommon for the uppermost skin to clear as the rash spreads further down onto the thighs. The symptoms of jock itch may come and go, and many cases of jock itch will resolve on its own without any treatment.

Jock itch does not affect the entire body.  For the most part, jock itch is mainly seen in the groin area, but spreading is not unheard of. Jock itch usually begins with mild sporadic itching in the groin. The itching can get progressively worse and become quite unbearable. The itching rash is usually found on both sides of the groin and affects the skin folds, the inner thighs and genitals. This includes the penis, scrotum, labia, and vaginal opening and anus. Severe cases may be extremely uncomfortable. Secondary complications may develop such as breaks in the skin, open sores, ulcers.