Why does my groin area itch?
"Jock itch" refers to any itching groin rash of men. There are many causes of jock itch; when it is caused by a fungus, the rash is known as tinea cruris. The fungus causing tinea cruris prefers moist, warm skin; this is why tinea cruris favors the groin area and is often worse in hot weather. Not all groin rashes are tinea cruris, only those caused by fungus growing on the skin.

What causes it?
Tinea cruris is caused by a fungus. Tinea cruris is only minimally contagious; direct person-to-person contact rarely leads to spreading of tinea cruris.

How do I treat it?
Gentle drying with a hair dryer to the groin area is an excellent preventive measure to keep the infection from spreading. Tinea cruris usually clears up quickly when antifungal medicines are applied twice daily to the skin. If it doesn't, you may need two to three weeks of treatment with the antifungal antibiotic such as griseofulvin, Lamisil, Sporanox, or Diflucan, taken by by mouth.

Tinea cruris is only one cause of groin itching. If your rash does not improve, please return for further evaluation and let Dr. Guccione or Ms. Carlisle prescribe an appropriate medication for you. You can help prevent recurrences by drying thoroughly after bathing, wearing loose cotton underwear, and dusting a bland powder such as baby powder on your groin once or twice daily.