{"id":6314,"date":"2019-05-02T03:48:43","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T03:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6314"},"modified":"2021-04-05T14:03:13","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T14:03:13","slug":"14-common-jock-itch-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-jock-itch-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Jock Itch Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Jock itch doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that only Jocks, those people that love to play sport, are the only demographic of people likely to suffer. Much like tennis elbow doesn\u2019t only affect tennis players, and runner\u2019s knee blights way more people than those of the running fraternity, so too does Jock Itch affect the wider population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More of an annoyance than a serious medical condition, Jock Itch is caused by a fungal infection, similar to how the Athlete\u2019s foot is caused. There we are again, one doesn\u2019t have to be an athlete to suffer from Athlete\u2019s foot. Far from it.
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There are similarities in the cause of this condition to that which affects the feet, but there are also many common trends in the symptoms of Jock Itch, that are covered in greater detail below.
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Once you know what you\u2019re dealing with, anything and everything is a lot easier to manage. Jock Itch is no different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.     Red skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Red <\/a>skin can spring up from seemingly nowhere with Jock Itch, although it is primarily found in the creases of the groin, which may then spread outwards in all directions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It isn\u2019t particularly pleasant to have to see your skin come up in red blotchiness or rash-like redness, but this is when Jock Itch is in its infancy, and the redness on its own is quite a mild symptom of Jock Itch that you may long to have back, once it gets fired up and into full force. Where red skin is observed, it may not be too late to reverse the effects of Jock Itch, or even to halt in its tracks before it gets the chance to evolve into a much nastier beast altogether. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular washing and thorough drying may help to keep it at bay, however, as with many things in life, the color red is a warning that usually spells worse things on the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.     Circular or half-moon shaped areas of redness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Assuming you\u2019ve been unable to halt or reverse the developing case of Jock Itch<\/a>, the next stage of development in terms of the redness will see a signature shape begin to emerge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expect circular or half-moon shaped patches of redness to develop, even coming from the smaller sections of redness you observed in the first place. As an added irritation, these red areas can tend to be elevated slightly or raised higher than the skin in which they surround themselves, so you\u2019ve got red and elevated skin to further the highlight the fact that you\u2019ve got yourself a nice fungal infection cooking up in your intimate areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The circular or half-moon shaped appearance of the redness should leave the bearer in little doubt as to what they have. At least it might put their mind to rest that I don\u2019t have a sexually transmitted disease or some incurable tropical illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.     Skin flaking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a pretty nasty thing to observe, but compared to the peeling which some people experience, a little flakiness isn\u2019t all that bad. Much like the itty bitty dandruff <\/a>we sometimes see falling from our scalps, the skin of a Jock Itch affected area can begin to flake off like parmesan over pasta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll probably never want to eat parmesan again after that analogy, but it\u2019s a fairly accurate one in terms of appearance and texture. Picking at the skin usually makes the skin flaking worse, and it can be pretty embarrassing when getting changed in the locker room, especially if upon removing an item of clothing, the floor is showered in confetti-like pieces of old, flaky skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a moisturizer every now and then to keep the area supple and smooth could help, but remember the importance of keeping a Jock Itch area nice and dry, wherever possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.     Skin peeling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For most people with Jock Itch, they\u2019ll either experience skin flaking or skin peeling. Very rarely do the two occur simultaneously or even one after the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comes down to the type of skin <\/a>you have and how much moisture is in your body and beneath your skin. Some people would much rather their skin became a little flaky, as then at least they seem to lose less skin at a time, whereas others say they\u2019d rather it all just peeled off inconvenient slices. It\u2019s a case of the grass always being greener on the other side though in truth, as neither of these symptoms is a particularly fun thing to experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the peeling of the skin, it can sometimes take a bit of encouragement to help it on its way, but you have to be careful. Peeling skin off the body that is not ready to be peeled can result in soreness and even bleeding, as the new skin beneath isn\u2019t quite ready to make an appearance yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.     Cracked skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you think about the cracked skin that old folks usually develop on their heels or the cracked skin you see at the zoo, on an elephant’s knees, you’ll know that it isn’t a pretty sight, regardless of your age or even your species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately for people suffering from Jock Itch, cracked skin is part and parcel of the process. The advice when it comes to treating this irritating <\/a>fungal infection is largely concerned with keeping the affected area dry. Of course, when the skin is dry, it tends to crack due to a lack of moisture in the skin cells. In this sense, with Jock Itch, patients are almost stuck between a rock and a hard place, aware of the need to keep the area dry, but also concerned that dry skin could lead to cracked skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A careful plan of attack is necessary. This may involve moisturizers but these should be used far more sparingly than they would normally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.     Itching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sufferers from Athlete\u2019s foot will confirm that the fungal foot infection is responsible for driving people to the point of distraction with its incessant itchiness<\/a>. It\u2019s inescapable at times, and the same is true of Jock Itch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The major difference is location. Given that the Athlete\u2019s foot occurs on your feet, it\u2019s relatively easy to steal a good foot scratch every now and then. Whether it\u2019s under the table in class or under the seat in front of you on the bus, your other foot always comes in handy as a foot scratcher. The location of Jock Itch though is usually closer to a person’s genitals, firmly located within the region of the groin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is far less socially acceptable or easily disguisable to start having a good old scratch of your private areas. Besides, if skin flaking or peeling are symptoms you wish to avoid, it\u2019s better to ignore the need to scratch for as long as humanly possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.     Burning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A burning sensation<\/a> anywhere on the body is unpleasant for the person affected. Anyone who has had sunburn on the shoulders or burnt the back of their hand on the stove will reaffirm the point that burning hurts, burning really hurts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, without an obvious source of the heat, such as the aforementioned sun or flame of the stove, feeling a burning sensation can be a pretty unnerving experience for someone. That feeling is made altogether more worrying when the burning sensation seems to radiate from the groin region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people affected by Jock Itch, are as the name suggests, Jocks. Without wanting to tar everyone with the same brush, it is fair to say that a lot of your stereotypical Jocks are sexually active, and so a burning sensation coming from that department might set the alarm bells ringing. Good to know it’s a symptom of Jock Itch then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.     Stinging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The stinging sensation that people with the Jock Itch report is usually dependent on outside factors, like topical treatments and the temperature. An area of skin that is already under the effects of infection <\/a>is far more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures that unaffected skin. For this reason, people with Jock Itch might find that showering or taking a bath can cause a stinging sensation to ring out and buzz across the whole of the affected area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It isn’t nice at all. Gels, creams, and ointments that may claim to be effective in the treatment of fungal infections can also be a cause for stinging to occur. These products may very well speed up the process of recovering from Jock Itch, but that doesn’t mean they won’t cause pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many cases, stinging can be avoided altogether if a person showers in warm water and treats the infection with regular washing and thorough drying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Changes in Skin Color<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the itching symptoms of jock itch start to show up, you may notice slight changes in your skin color. The skin may turn slightly pink, and develop a change in texture where it starts to feel rough. As the condition progresses, we continue to notice changes in the skin color and texture as the bacteria spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few hours after the initial changes, the patient may notice that the skin continues to progress in color changes and starts to take on a reddish appearance. The skin looks angry, and the patient may feel some heat emanating from the affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s at this stage that the itching symptoms intensify. The patient may find themselves unconsciously scratching their crotch as the symptoms increase, and eventually, the skin reaches a stage where it’s painful to the touch and bright red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, should the patient continue to scratch, they may develop purple spots under the skin due to internal bleeding<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Increase in Symptoms After Activity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are experiencing an outbreak of jock itch should avoid physical activity that makes them sweat. The rash <\/a>caused by jock itch blocks the sweat glands in the skin. Therefore, when we increase our activity levels, the skin cannot breathe, resulting in an exacerbation of itching symptoms and swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common area for jock itch to develop is on the folds of the skin between the legs. If you come down with jock itch, then it’s best to avoid any circumstances that cause you to sweat excessively. Sweating while the rash is angry, results in increasing sensations of discomfort and itching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you decide to continue with your activities, then eventually, the site becomes so inflamed that the person requires medical assistance to relieve the symptoms.  Take the opportunity to rest and make sure that you allow the affected area plenty of room to breathe to improve your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. A Spreading Rash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who experience the onset of jock itch first notice symptoms appear on the inside of the thighs and groin. If left untreated, the fungi <\/a>causing the infection can spread to other regions of the body as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who do not attend to their jock itch symptoms timeously may experience the spread of the rash. In most cases, the bacteria causing the issue spread to the buttocks or the abdomen. When infecting these areas, the patient might start to confuse the condition with a chronic ailment and begin to worry about their health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jock itch does not go away on its own. The fungi may continue to spread for months if you do not take action to treat it. In some cases, the condition may persist for months, leaving the patient in a sore and irritated state that diminishes their quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On rare occasions, the bacteria may spread to the scrotum, causing the rash to spread to this area. In most cases, applying specialized cream to the area clears the condition in a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Rash in the Folds of the Skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The rash-causing jock itch starts small, with bacteria causing slight changes in skin color around the affected area. Itching symptoms may be mild initially, but steadily increase as time passes and the rash spreads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients notice the rash reaches its peak when the skin becomes red and looks angry. The rash almost always starts in the folds of the skin between the inner-thighs and the groin. It may spread unilaterally, infecting the front and rear of the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overweight and obese <\/a>people who develop jock itch may find that the fungi spread to other folds in the skin, causing the rash to develop. Common areas for the signs of the rash spreading are the folds of skin on the belt-line, as well as under love handles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once patients start treatment for their condition, the rash typically starts to back off and disappear. This process may take several days, and it’s advisable to avoid scratching the rash during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Increase in Intensity of Itching When Showering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are suffering from jock itch may think that it’s a good idea to take a shower. You can’t help people for making this mistake. When we feel dirty, our instinct is to clean ourselves. For some strange reason, taking a shower might seem like a good idea at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as you step under the hot water, you’ll soon discover that your dreams of washing away your jock itch shatter into a million pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying hot or warm water to jock itch intensifies the symptoms, increasing the pain in the affected area. After jumping out of the shower and toweling yourself off, make sure you apply some ointment to reduce the spread of the fungi. It’s best if you keep the affected area as dry as possible to avoid an exacerbation in your symptoms of pain <\/a>and itching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do need to shower, then use cold water and avoid rubbing soap into the affected region to prevent an increase in your symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Treatment Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, jock itch does not go away by itself. If you leave the rash untreated, then you may find that it takes months for it to disappear entirely. It’s best to treat the affected area using specialized creams like “Lamisil.” These creams contain terbinafine hydrochloride that kills the fungi that are responsible for causing the rash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most jock itch remedies are effective at removing the rash within a few days, depending on the extent of its reach on the skin. Work the cream into the skin, and you’ll notice immediate relief from your itching symptoms. The swelling should subside overnight, and you’ll see a dramatic improvement in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t try and treat the affected area with other lotions and creams. The skin in the affected area is sensitive, and the ingredients in lotions and moisturizing creams may create a stinging sensation. Keep the area dry and use talcum <\/a>powder to absorb any sweat in the folds of your skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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