Tinea Cruris

Tinea Cruris: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

 What is Tinea Cruris?

Tinea Cruris is a common type of fungal infection which affects the groin area. It is commonly called as jock itch or dhobi itch. Tinea Cruris mainly affects men and it is itching groin rash. But it is does affect penis, anus or vulva. Infection mainly spreads from feet (tinea pedis) or nails (tinea unguinum) due to scratching or other reasons.


Tinea cruris is the ringworm of the groin is a fungal infection limited to groin only. There appear ring-like patterns. In different parts of world, different types of fungi cause this infection.


What is the cause of Tinea Cruris?

Tinea cruruis is fungal infection contracted by the body due to weakened immune system. If a person has fungal infection in any other part of the body, it can spread to other parts also; athlete’s foot or tinea pedis can cause jock itch.


Fungal infection is caused by presence of damp, warm environment. This type of environment is favorable for growth of fungus. It more frequent in people who wear tight or sweaty cloths which rub constantly with skin.


Following are the common types of fungus which cause tinea cruris:

Trichophyton rubrum


Candida albicans


Trichophyton mentagrophytes


Epidermophyton floccosum


What are the signs and Symptoms of tinea Cruris?

Tinea cruris is called the jock itch due to constant itching. There is severe itching and burning sensation in groin region, anus or thigh skin folds. It may also affect inner thighs, genital areas, and perineum and perianal areas.


Skin affected may become red, brown or tan.


Also, there are flakes, peels and cracks on the affected skin.


Sever infection usually begins with a half-inch across on both sides and increases to become sores. There appear rashes which are raised, red, scaly with definite borders. These may become blisters and ooze out.


This infection may spread down to the inner thighs; skin becomes reddish-brown, tiny pimples or papules may be present.


What is the Treatment for Tinea Cruris:

Any kind of fungal infection can be controlled by antifungal medicines only. Topical antifungal creams are the best for treating these kinds of infections.


Most common medicines are the creams containing clotrimazole tolnaftate or miconazole. Some newer medicines such as butenafine are also used.


These ant-fungal creams aim to prevent fungi from producing a chemical called ergosterol. Ergosterol is the important part of membrane of fungal cell.


Fungus can not have a healthy cell membrane in absence of ergosterol and it leads to destruction of fungus.


Glucocorticoid steroids are given, if the person is suffering from lots of itching and inflammation. It is combined with anti-fungal medication also. It stops the temptation to scratch further as scratching can aggravate the condition. Scratching can also lead to secondary bacterial infections due to cuts and cracks in the skin. But any mediation having steroids should be used with precaution.


While applying antifungal cream, make sure to apply it on the 3-4 cm of normal skin around the rash.


Rashes clear away quickly by application of medicine but you should apply the cream till 1 week after the healing to prevent any new fungal growth in that region; it will prevent rash from returning back.


If any rash can not be taken care by topical application or there are rashes at multiple locations other apart from groin then oral antifungal medication is given.


How to Prevent Tinea Cruris?

Any person, who is prone to fungal infection like in case of tinea cruris, can prevent its occurrence by following proper measures.


You should keep the groin area clean and dry as it is an area which is naturally warm and is prone to be damp. Keeping it dry and clean will naturally cures the infection.


You should daily change your clothing which comes into fungal contact directly, such as towels and undergarments. Wash these clothing in boiling water.


To keep affected area dry, first dry it with towel and then dust talcum powder or you may use powders containing menthol or zinc oxide. It will soothe itching.


Take care not to spread fungal infection to other parts of eth body while drying with towel.


Antidandruff shampoos may be used for infected skin. These shampoos contain antifungal chemicals like pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, and ketoconazole (Nizoral).


Tea tree oil and garlic are the natural antifungal materials.


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