A jock itch is an annoying situation particularly when you are in public. Jock itch accompanied by burning sensation is a nightmare. Though commonly seen in men, women are also susceptible to skin irritation.There are simple yet effective home remedies to get rid of jock itch permanently.
Medically termed as tinea cruris, this rash first appears in the groin part. If you leave it untreated, it spreads to inner thighs and buttocks.
Through this article, you can get to know in detail about the causes, symptoms and simple home remedies to get rid of Jock Itch
Causes Of Jock Itch
Though men are ten times more vulnerable to jock itch than women, the causes of this unpleasant rash remain the same.
Here are the causes
- Tight underwear
- Underwear made of a non-skin friendly material
- Skin abrasion between the groin and thigh area
- Frequent sweat build-up
- Wearing tight pants and jeans
In men, the rashes thus caused spread to inner thighs, buttocks, anus, penis and scrotum area. In women, inner thighs, buttocks, anus, vulva, and labia are the affected part.
Jock itch begins as a simple rash that takes an aggressive form over time. As it becomes angry red raised spots, even a slight touch of water or fabric becomes unbearable.
Understanding the symptoms and trying good home remedy is all that you need to do to get rid of it in the initial stages itself.
Symptoms Of Jock Itch
Uncomfortable itching in the groin area is the initial symptom of jock itch. The worseness of the irritation depends on the folds of your skin. More folds mean intense itching.
In most of cases, proper care and hygiene clear the rash quickly. If hygiene does not work, the rash will turn into rough sores.
This will later become oozy and pus-filled. The jock itch rashes are symmetrical in nature and so spread evenly towards both sides of the body.
If left unattended, this can lead to vaginal infections in women. In rare cases, jock itch takes the form of skin abscesses and cellulitis. To avoid all these serious forms of jock itch, follow the home remedies listed below for easy recovery.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Jock Itch
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Natural antifungal and drying qualities of apple cider vinegar eliminate the fungus causing infection. Thus, the rash starts to heal quickly.
You Will Need
- Apple cider vinegar – half cup
- Water – 2 cups
- Wash Cloth – cotton
What To Do?
- Mix a half cup of apple cider vinegar in two cups of warm
- Lightly warm up the mixture
- Wet the cotton washcloth in this mixture and hold it on the itching area for 10 minutes
- Remove the cloth and allow the skin dry
How Often?
Repeat the procedure thrice a day
2. Baking Soda
As an element with strong soothing and drying properties, baking soda deals the infection effectively. In addition, it neutralizes the haphazard pH levels at the infected area and thereby reduces infection.
You Need: Baking soda – 2 tablespoons |Water
What To Do?
- Add required quantity of water to 2 tablespoons of baking soda to make it a thick paste
- Apply the paste on the infected area
- Keep the paste applied for about 15 minutes
- Clean the paste and wipe skin dry
How Often?
Repeat the procedure twice a day
3. Rubbing Alcohol
Alcohol is an antimicrobial agent and disinfectant as well. Applying alcohol evaporates moist and keeps the area dry. This makes it an unfavorable environment for the fungus to thrive. As a result, the infection reduces at a faster pace.
You Need: Rubbing alcohol – 90% isopropyl alcohol |Clean cotton
Method:
- Apply the rubbing alcohol on the infected part using a clean cotton cloth
- Allow it to dry
Dosage: Repeat the procedure 3-4 times a day
4. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is good at absorbing moisture. Treating the infected area with cornstarch keeps it dry and reduces irritation.
You Need: Cornstarch
What To Do?
- Powder cornstarch on the infected area
- Leave it on
Dosage: Sprinkle a few times a day
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
This remedy has an antifungal property that fights infection. At the same time, applying hydrogen peroxide causes a stinging sensation.
You Need: Hydrogen peroxide – one teaspoon | Water – one teaspoon | Petroleum jelly| Clean cotton
Method:
- Add one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to one teaspoon of water
- Dip a clean cotton cloth in the solution and apply on the affected area. You will get a stinging sensation
- Apply petroleum jelly over it and leave overnight
Dosage: Every night before bed
6. Essential Oil
Essential oil is a combination of lavender, myrrh, and tea tree oil. The antimicrobial feature of these oils kills the infection causing fungi and thereby relieves itching.
You Need
- Coconut oil – 1/4 cup
- Neem oil – 1/4 cup
- Apple cider vinegar – 2 tablespoons
- Lavender oil – 10 drops
- Myrrh oil – 10 drops
- Tea tree oil – 5 drops
Method:
- Mix all the aforementioned oils in the mentioned quantities and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- Transfer this mixture to the tight-lidded container
- Apply this mixture on the rash and leave it
Dosage: Apply this homemade ointment twice a day
7. Oatmeal And Epsom Salt
The hygroscopic nature of Epsom salt absorbs on the moisture from the infected area. Oatmeal, on the other hand, reduces itchiness and soothes the skin. The combination of these two will be a perfect remedy for jock itch
You Need
- Oatmeal – 2 cups
- Epsom salt – 1 cup
- Lavender essential oil (optional) – 10-12 drops
- A bathtub filled with warm water
Method:
- Fill the bathtub with warm water
- Add two cups of oatmeal and one cup of Epsom salt to the warm water filled the bathtub
- Relax in this bathtub for about 20 minutes
- Rinse with plain water
Dosage: Repeat every day for faster relief
8. Garlic And Honey
The antifungal property of garlic and soothing property of honey works together to banish the itching and burning sensation resulted from jock itch. Apart from soothing, honey softens the skin as well.
You Need
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
- Garlic – 2 cloves
What To Do?
- Crush garlic gently and add it to one teaspoon of honey
- Apply on the infected area and let be for 20 minutes
- Clean it off and keep the skin dry
How Often?
Repeat the procedure twice a day
9. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has a natural cooling property. This helps to reduce the itching and burning sensation. In addition, its antiseptic nature helps to fight the infection as well.
You Need
An aloe vera leaf
What To Do?
- Cut the aloe vera leaf and extract its gel
- Clean and dry the infected area
- Apply the extracted gel and leave it as it is
How Often?
Repeat the procedure thrice a day
10. Calamine Lotion
Calamine is known for its soothing and itch relieving property
You Need
Calamine lotion
What To Do?
- Clean the infected area
- Slowly apply the calamine lotion
How Often?
Can be applied as and when required
11. Listerine
The antifungal and antiseptic property of Listerine is often used in fighting bacteria in the mouth and can also be used to treat dandruff. The same property soothes jock itch as well.
You Need
- Listerine mouthwash
- Clean cotton
What To Do?
- Wet the clean cotton with Listerine and apply on the infected part
- Leave it for few minutes and then wash it off
- Pat the skin dry after wash
How Often?
Repeat the procedure twice day
12. Lemon
The natural antimicrobial agent eliminates the fungus causing jock itch and reduces the infection
You Need
- Lemon Juice – 1 teaspoon
- Water – 1 teaspoon
- Cotton ball
What To Do?
- Add one teaspoon of lemon juice to one teaspoon of water
- Dip a cotton ball in the diluted juice and apply in the infected part
- Let it stay for 5 minutes
- Wash off with clean water
- Pat the area dry
How Often?
For best results, repeat the procedure twice a day
13. Onion
Onion is a perfect antifungal and anti-inflammatory element.
You Need
- Onion – 1/4th
- Clean cotton pad
What To Do?
- Finely grate the onion and extract the juice out of it
- Dip the cotton pad in the extracted juice and apply it on the affected area
- Leave it for about 30 minutes
- Rinse off and pat dry
How Often?
Repeat this two times a day
14. Coconut Oil
Using coconut oil soothes the rash and gives a long lasting relief. It prevents moisture accumulation. Frequent use of oil, on the other hand, makes the skin less vulnerable to jock itch in the future.
You Need
Coconut Oil – Organic
What To Do?
- Gently apply coconut oil on the jock itch
- Leave it overnight
How Often?
Repeat this every night for better results
15. Herbal Extracts
Applying herbal extracts right from the presence of the first symptom prevents the rash from taking the form of jock itch.
You Need
- Lemongrass extract (or)
- Witch hazel extract (or)
- Calendula extract (or)
- Grapefruit seed extract
What To Do?
- Apply the extract on the affected
- Leave as it is
How Often?
Reapply as and when required
16. White Vinegar
White vinegar has incredible healing properties. It fights fungi and prevents the infection from growing.
You Need
- White Vinegar – 1 cup
- Warm water – 4 cups
- Clean cloth
What To Do?
- Add white vinegar to warm water and mix well
- Dip the clean cloth in the solution and place on the affected area
- Leave it as it is for about 5 minutes
How Often?
Repeat this thrice a day
How To Prevent Jock Itch?
a) Stay Hygienic
Perfect personal hygiene is the best solution to prevent jock itch from attacking. Maintaining good hygiene day to day will prevent infection from forming due to heat and sweat exposure.
Using pH balanced, non-soap cleanser for regular washing is highly recommended.
b) No Chemical Based Washing Products
Detergents and fabric conditioners have chemical formulas that cause jock itch. Skip such harsh chemical products and try going for mild detergents and fabric conditioners. This elimination of harsh products can help you fight rashes.
c) Skin Friendly Underwear
Do not use underwear to make your fashion statement. The main intention of using underwear is to protect your intimate areas from sweat and rough clothing.
So, go for highly comfortable, clean and not so tight cotton underwear.
d) Stay Dry
If your body tends to sweat a lot, you are susceptible to jock itch. To avoid such embarrassment, always keep the groin area clean.
Take a regular bath and keep the area dry after every wash. Instead of rubbing with a towel, pat the area with a dry towel.
FAQs
1. What Are The Risk Factors Associated With Jock Itch?
A. When left untreated, jock itch spreads widely all around the thighs and buttocks and onto to private parts as well. This can lead to a secondary infection which might require medical intervention.
2. Is Jock Itch Contagious?
A. Yes, jock itch is contagious. Never share underwear, towel or even soap used by an infected person. Doing so can spread infection.
3. Is Jock Itch A Sexually Transmitted Disease?
A. No, jock itch is not considered as a sexually transmitted disease
4. How Do I Reduce The Darkness Of My Skin After Jock Itch Infection?
A. Continue applying aloe vera extract even after recovering from the infection. This maintains the groin skin area in good condition besides reducing the darkness.
5. How Long Does It Take For Jock Itch To Go Away?
A. By following home remedy, you can get rid of jock itch within two weeks. However, the exact time span depends on how intense the infection is.
All the above-mentioned home remedies for jock itch are proven effective over the years. Yet, prevention is better than cure.
