Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch)

ByDenise M. Aaron, MD, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine
Reviewed/Revised Sept 2023
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Tinea cruris is a dermatophyte infection of the groin. Diagnosis is by clinical appearance and by potassium hydroxide wet mount. Treatment is with topical antifungals.

Tinea cruris is a dermatophytosis that is commonly caused by Trichophyton rubrum or T. mentagrophytes.

The primary risk factors are associated with a moist environment (ie, warm weather, wet and restrictive clothing, obesity causing constant apposition of skinfolds). Men are affected more than women because of apposition of the scrotum and thigh.

Typically, a pruritic, ringed lesion extends from the crural fold over the adjacent upper inner thigh. Infection may be bilateral. Lesions may be complicated by maceration, miliaria, secondary bacterial or candidal infection, and reactions to treatment. In addition, scratch dermatitis and lichenification can occur.

Recurrence is common because fungi may repeatedly infect susceptible people or people with onychomycosis or tinea pedis, which can serve as a dermatophyte reservoir. Flare-ups occur more often during summer.

Tinea Cruris
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This photo shows a ringed lesion extending between the scrotum and upper inner thigh, resulting from a dermatophyte infection.
Image courtesy of www.doctorfungus.org © 2005.

Diagnosis of Tinea Cruris

  • Clinical evaluation

  • Potassium hydroxide wet mount

Scrotal involvement is usually absent or slight; by contrast, the scrotum is often inflamed in candidal intertrigo or lichen simplex chronicus.

If the appearance is not diagnostic, a potassium hydroxide wet mount is helpful.

Differential diagnosis of tinea cruris includes

Treatment of Tinea Cruris

  • Topical antifungal cream, lotion, or gel

(See table Options for Treatment of Superficial Fungal Infections.)

Key Points

  • Suspect tinea cruris when pruritic, ringed lesions extend from the crural fold over the adjacent upper inner thigh, particularly in patients with obesity or in men.

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