Jock itch is an itchy fungal condition, mostly prevalent among athletes and people who are overweight. The condition affects areas of the skin that remain moist due to sweat and hence mostly affects the groin, inner thighs, toes, etc., though it can happen in any part of the body. Caused by Trichophyton rubrum, jock itch is not a difficult condition to treat and usually heals on its own. However, it can also be quick to return if you are not careful about certain basic hygiene requirements. Check out these cool tips to ensure that the condition does not spread or recur.
Shower everyday
For people who are prone to recurrent fungal infections or jock itch, it is important to keep your body sweat free in order to avoid getting jock itch again. This is especially true if you have sweated a lot, which causes perspiration to get accumulated in the folds of your body and create moist areas that can lead to fungal growth and jock itch. When you shower every day, you remove the sweat, dirt and bacteria in your body and prevent all kinds of infections from setting in. Remember to use a good antibacterial soap when you shower so that the body remains protected from all kinds of fungus and bacteria.
Keep prone areas dry
Even after a shower, ensure that the body is thoroughly dried to prevent moisture from causing fungal growth in areas that are prone to jock itch. Areas like inner thighs, armpits, crotch, etc. are prone to excessive sweating and collection of moisture due to the folds and hence keeping these areas dry are very important to prevent recurrence of jock itch and also to avoid the spread and contraction of the fungal infection in the body. Wipe your body thoroughly after a shower, taking particular care to dry the folds with care.
Antiseptic powder will help
Using a good antiseptic powder will help keep the body dry and also prevent fungal and bacterial growth. After a shower, you must ensure that all areas are dried and antiseptic powder is applied every day. Applying powder on areas prone to sweating can help in preventing sweat from accumulating in the folds and causing fungal infections like jock itch. Therefore, whenever you change your dress and undergarments, use a good antiseptic powder to lightly dust the areas. Even a normal powder can help keep the area dry. Avoid strongly scented powders as they can cause reaction with sweat and create an offensive odor.
Use cotton clothes
For people who are prone to fungal infections, using synthetic clothes are a definite no as they can aggravate the condition and encourage sweat and other skin infections and irritation. Always ensure that cotton clothes are used. All undergarments must be of cotton as cotton can absorb sweat and prevent moisture from remaining on your body. Cotton clothes have moisture wicking properties and hence a good way to prevent jock itch. Another alternative to cotton is silk even though it could be expensive and high maintenance could be required.
Avoid wearing sweaty clothes
Many of us may have the habit of reusing the clothes that we have worn once and sweated in it without washing it. This is one of the most unhygienic habits that can not only cause jock itch, but also lead to recurrent fungal and bacterial infections of the skin and body. Sweat encourages bacteria and when we reuse clothes that have sweat on or do not remove sweaty clothes for a long time, it will result in fungal and bacterial build up and cause jock itch to recur. Avoid remaining in sweaty clothes for a long time and never reuse sweaty clothes without washing them thoroughly and drying them in the sun.
Avoid sharing clothes with others
Jock itch can also be transferred from one person to another through sharing of clothes. Avoid sharing clothes with others as it is not a healthy practice and can spread various types of skin infections. Also, do not share personal belongings like comb, shoes, etc. which too can spread jock itch and cause recurrence in people who are prone to it. Never borrow or lend clothes and make it a point to spread the work to your friends and loved ones who are prone to sharing clothes.
Maintain a healthy weight
People who are overweight will sweat more and have more folds on the skin than others. This will encourage fungal and bacterial infections of the skin. Therefore, keeping your weight under check helps in keeping jock itch away and also in preventing many other health problems as well. Obesity will also cause hormone problems as well like thyroid disorders which can cause excessive sweating and cultivation of fungi and bacteria, causing jock itch.
Salt for jock itch
As a prevention method, you may think of taking a salt bath 2-3 times a week if you are very prone to recurrent infections. Fill the tub with hot water and add one or two cups of salt. Soak in this bath for 10-15 minutes. Salt helps in healing blisters and is also a mild antibacterial agent. However, salt can make your skin dry as well. So, ensure that the skin is well moisturized and the water is not too hot to prevent skin dryness and resultant problems.
Treat other fungal conditions
Other fungal infections like yeast infection, toe nail fungus, athlete’s foot, etc., if left untreated will lead to jock itch as well. Therefore, treating these infections promptly is necessary for avoiding jock itch as well. There are many simple natural remedies like the use of yoghurt, neem, tea tree oil, turmeric, baking soda, etc. which can be used on the affected area at the onset of the fungal infection itself in order that the symptoms do not get aggravated and proceed to develop into jock itch.
