Jock itch is an itchy rash that happens in your groin (crotch). It's a fungal infection that grows in warm, damp areas. You’re more likely to get jock itch if: You’re a man, because moisture can get trapped between your scrotum and thigh The weather is warm You’re wearing wet and tight clothing You're overweight and have folds of skin

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What is jock itch?

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How do doctors tell if I have jock itch?

How do doctors treat jock itch?

Fungal Skin Infections

Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)

Tinea Versicolor

Overview of Ringworm (Tinea)

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Jock Itch

(Tinea Cruris)

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Nov 2020| Content last modified Nov 2020

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Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris)

Jock itch is an itchy rash that happens in your groin (crotch). It's a fungal infection that grows in warm, damp areas.

You’re more likely to get jock itch if:

You’re a man, because moisture can get trapped between your scrotum and thigh
The weather is warm
You’re wearing wet and tight clothing
You're overweight and have folds of skin

Symptoms include:

A red, itchy rash on your crotch and sometimes upper thighs
The rash may have a scaly pink border
A bad case of jock itch can be painful

Doctors can usually tell it's jock itch by looking at it. Rarely, doctors may take a small scraping of your skin to look at under a microscope.

Doctors treat jock itch with:

Antifungal cream you put on your skin
Sometimes, medicine by mouth

This infection often comes back more than once, especially if you also have fungal infections on your feet or toenails (athlete's foot), because fungi can spread from those areas to your crotch.

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