Tinea Cruris

Definition

Tinea cruris is also known as jock itch. It is a common fungal infection that affects the skin of your inner thighs, buttocks and genitals. It mostly occurs in males and is usually due to spread of the fungus from the feet. Thus the usual causative fungus agents are-

• T. rubrum,
• T. interdigitale and
• E. floccosum.

Causes

We know that our body is the host to a variety of fungi and bacteria of which some are useful. When certain conditions or aggravating factors are present, these fungi can grow out of control and cause infections.

Medical research indicates that hormonal changes during puberty and heredity each play a role (if your father had jock itch, you probably will). So does lifestyle. More active men or overweight men, who sweat more in the groin area, are more likely to get jock itch, as are men who frequent public places like locker rooms and gyms can be causes.

Symptoms

As we know that they need heat and moisture to grow, fungal infections are commonly found in areas where skin folds, but may be found on any part of the body. Warm weather and tight clothing (which hold moisture and sweat) are good encourage for fungal growth.

Another symptoms are-

• inflammation of the groin, anal area and upper thigh, sparing the genitals themselves
• expanding or spreading, with clearing in the centre
• dry or scaly blisters, occasionally oozing or crusting
• abnormally dark or light skin
• sharp borders
• skin redness or inflammation
• slightly raised patch

Treatment

In recent years there has been a gradual revival of interest in the use of medicinal plants in developed as well as in developing countries, because herbal medicines have been reported to be safe and without any adverse side effects. Thus, a search for new drugs with better and cheaper substitutes, plant resources are a natural choice. Recently, some products of higher plants origin have been shown to be effective source of chemotherapeutic agents without undesirable side effects and with strong fungicidal activity. We report here the detailed antifungal study of the essential oil, obtained from the leaves of E. citriodora in vitro as well as in clinical trials against dermatophytoses in human beings.

You can buy an antifungal cream from pharmacies. There are various types and brands. For example; terbinafine, clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and sulconazole. These modern creams are good at clearing fungal skin infections.Apply the cream to the surrounding 4-6 cm of normal skin in addition to the rash. Apply for as long as advised. This varies between the different creams, so read the instructions carefully.