Female Jock Itch

Jock itch is a fungus which is related to the ringworm family, also known as tinea family. It is contagious and is often passed on to others in gyms or sports areas. Contrary to the belief jock itch in women is common.

What is Female Jock Itch?
Jock itch is a pink, scaly and itchy rash which appears on inner thighs, groin areas, buttocks, anus and under the breasts in women. It is also referred to as ringworm of the crotch as it can take the shape of a ringworm.

Causes of Female Jock Itch
Jock itch is caused when you wear tight clothes and heat and sweat is trapped inside the clothes. Moisture and heat together make conducive environment for fungus growth. Chances of jock itch increase in winters if you dress like an onion: I mean in layers. In summers, if you wear wet and sweaty clothes, you are inviting trouble for yourself. If you are a swimmer, then you should get out of your wet swimming clothes at the earliest to avoid fungus growth. Athletes are more prone to jock itch than other people. In case you use a towel to wipe your feet and then use the same on your groin area, it can spread the athlete’s foot infection to your groin.

Symptoms of Female Jock Itch
The most common symptoms of female jock itch are red, itchy, scaly and flat rash. This rash is seen on the folds, where the groin area meets the leg, inner thighs and at the fold where buttock meets the legs. The next symptom of jock itch is chafing and burning sensation. The jock itch fungus usually spreads in a circular fashion outwards and downwards. In severe jock itch cases, there can be blisters oozing pus. Hence it is important to check for jock’s itch in time as it has the tendency to spread all over the pubic area.

How to Cure Female Jock Itch?
After a workout take a shower and use antibacterial soap. Pat yourself dry so that you do not create conducive conditions for fungus growth. If you use gym showers or swimming pool showers, always make sure you have slippers on, as these are fungus breeding ground. Be careful that you clean your feet well before you put them in your underwear and clothes because the fungus can be transmitted to your genital area from your feet. To prevent jock itch in women, remember to keep the labia and vaginal area completely dry. Do not scratch as scratching increases the chances of fungal infection spreading to other areas.

Use cotton underwear and if possible use cotton clothing only. Cotton allows the skin to breathe and heat is not trapped inside. Fabrics, like, nylons, synthetics and spandex better be avoided. It is advisable to change your undergarments at least twice a day to avoid any sweat buildup. At work you can carry mini-pads and change them often to avoid any sweat buildup. If and when possible, wash clothes in warm water. Bleach can also be used to wash clothes because bleach kills any possible fungal growth.

Always keep your toilets, bathrooms, shower, etc. clean. This is a precautionary measure to avoid fungal growth in these areas. You can spray bleach in your bathrooms as well. Similarly it is advisable to wash your bed-sheet with warm water and bleach every couple of days. The other hygiene care is to avoid using and sharing personal items as chances of spreading of infection is very high with this.

Use anti-fungal cream on the affected area to get rid of fungus and also to arrest its further spread. Most anti-fungal creams can be bought over the counter. At the same time, do not forget to buy antibacterial and anti-fungal hand wash for your nails as they often are transmitters of infection. Increase the intake of food which are known to have anti-fungal properties.

It is best to maintain personal hygiene to avoid female jock itch. In case you think you have got a fungal infection, then do not waste any time and take the required precaution so that the condition does not spiral out of hand.