Tinea cruris

Tinea cruris
Other namesEczema marginatum, crotch itch, crotch rot, dhobi itch, gym itch, jock itch, jock rot, scrot rot[1][2]: 303 
Tinea cruris on the groin of a man
SpecialtyDermatology
SymptomsItch, rash in groin
Risk factors
  • Excessive sweating
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
Diagnostic methodMicroscopy and culture of skin scrapings
Differential diagnosis
Prevention
  • Treat any fungal infections of feet or nails
  • Keep groin region dry
  • Avoid tight clothing
  • Losing weight if obese
  • Always put on socks before underwear
MedicationTopical antifungal medications

Tinea cruris (TC), also known as jock itch, is a common type of contagious, superficial fungal infection of the groin and buttocks region, which occurs predominantly but not exclusively in men and in hot-humid climates.[3][4]

Typically, over the upper inner thighs, there is an intensely itchy red raised rash with a scaly well-defined curved border.[3][4] It is often associated with athlete's foot and fungal nail infections, excessive sweating, and sharing of infected towels or sports clothing.[4][5][6] It is uncommon in children.[4]

Its appearance may be similar to some other rashes that occur in skin folds including candidal intertrigo, erythrasma, inverse psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Tests may include microscopy and culture of skin scrapings.[7]

Treatment is with topical antifungal medications and is particularly effective if symptoms have recent onset.[5][6] Prevention of recurrences include treating concurrent fungal infections and taking measures to avoid moisture build-up including keeping the groin region dry, avoiding tight clothing and losing weight if obese.[8]

  1. ^ Rapini, R. P.; Bolognia, J. L.; Jorizzo, J. L. (2007). Dermatology. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
  2. ^ James, W. D.; Berger, T. G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
  3. ^ a b Lehrer, Michael (16 April 2019). "Jock itch". MedlinePlus. NLM / NIH.
  4. ^ a b c d Libby Edwards; Peter J. Lynch (2010). Genital Dermatology Atlas. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-60831-079-1.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Rook2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Nadalo2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference DermnetNZ2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wiederkehr2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).