Symptoms of tinea cruris include an itchy rash that may be painful.
Doctors base the diagnosis on an examination of the groin.
Treatment includes antifungal drugs applied directly to the affected areas or sometimes taken by mouth.
(See also Overview of Fungal Skin Infections Overview of Fungal Skin Infections Fungi usually make their homes in moist areas of the body where skin surfaces meet: between the toes, in the genital area, and under the breasts. Common fungal skin infections are caused by... read more .)
Tinea cruris is a type of dermatophytosis Overview of Dermatophytoses (Ringworm, Tinea) Dermatophytoses are fungal infections of the skin and nails caused by several different fungi and classified by the location on the body. Dermatophyte infections are also called ringworm or... read more . Tinea cruris is primarily caused by Trichophyton.
This infection is much more common among men because moisture can get trapped between the scrotum and thigh. Tinea cruris develops most frequently in warm weather or when wearing wet and tight clothing. People who are obese are at risk because their skinfolds trap moisture.
The infection begins in the skinfolds of the genital area and can spread to the upper inner thighs and may occur on both sides. Usually the scrotum is not affected or is only slightly affected. The rash has a scaly, pink border. Tinea cruris can be quite itchy and may be painful. This infection often recurs, particularly among people who have onychomycosis Onychomycosis Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails. (See also Overview of Nail Disorders.) About 10% of people have onychomycosis, which most often affects the toenails rather than the fingernails... read more 
or athlete's foot Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis) Athlete’s foot is a dermatophyte (fungal) infection of the skin of the feet. Symptoms of tinea pedis include a build up of scale on the feet and sometimes redness and itching. Doctors base the... read more 
(tinea pedis), because fungi can spread from those infections to the groin. Flare-ups occur more often during the summer.
Diagnosis of Jock Itch
A doctor's examination of the groin area
Examination of a skin scraping
The diagnosis of tinea cruris is usually obvious to doctors based on a physical examination.
If the diagnosis is not obvious, doctors may do a skin scraping Scrapings Doctors can identify many skin disorders simply by looking at the skin. A full skin examination includes examination of the scalp, nails, and mucous membranes. Sometimes the doctor uses a hand-held... read more 
and examine it under a microscope to be sure that the rash is caused by a fungus.
Treatment of Jock Itch
Antifungal drugs applied to the skin or sometimes taken by mouth
Treatment of tinea cruris involves an antifungal cream or lotion (such as miconazole, naftifine, ketoconazole, or clotrimazole). (See also table Some Antifungal Drugs Applied to the Skin (Topical Drugs) Some Antifungal Drugs Applied to the Skin (Topical Drugs) 
.)
Antifungal drugs taken by mouth (such as itraconazole or terbinafine) may be needed in people who have infections that are widespread or cause inflammation or infections that are difficult to heal.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
miconazole |
MONISTAT 3 |
ketoconazole |
NIZORAL |
clotrimazole |
MYCELEX |
itraconazole |
SPORANOX |
terbinafine |
LAMISIL |
