Jock itch in Women: Causes, Can Female Get, How to get rid, antifungal Cream, Cure, Yeast Infection

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What causes jock itch in women? Explore on the reasons for female jock itch, how to get rid and best cure and home remedies.

Can Women get Jock Itch from male?

Jock itch in women is a fungal infection most common in males. It is caused by fungi known as dermatophytes. These survive on dead tissue including dead skin cells, nails and hair. Their most favorable environment is one that is warm and moist. As such, when the groin area sweats, it provides a perfect environment for the fungi to thrive.
Although in most instances the condition comes from within, it is also possible to get it from elsewhere. For people suffering from athlete’s foot or ringworms, jock itch can be caught through autoinoculation.
This occurs when the fungi is transferred to the groin area from other parts of the body. You could also get it from others. This could be through skin to skin contact during sexual activity as well as sharing of undergarments, towels and clothes with an infected person.
The jock itch in women causing fungus is transferrable during sex though this does not happen always. The reason why it becomes easy to transmit the disease from one person to another during intercourse is because of how close the groins of those involved are. Condom use cannot prevent its transmission. The only way out is to get treated before resuming sexual contact.
Although the risk of transmission is considered to range from low to moderate, it is important to discuss the infection with your sexual partner. This way they will make an informed decision on what adjustments they may want to make. Also important is to clean well the sheets and avoid sharing clothes.

From man to women jock itch infection

It is also possible for a wife to catch jock itch from the hands of a partner who has scratched his groin area and touched their genitals. Fungus can also be transferred through towels, sheets and shared clothes with an infected man.
For females to ensure they do not catch the jock itch in womenfrom a man, they should practice proper hygiene. Ensure that vulnerable areas are thoroughly cleaned and gently dried completely. Also wear cotton underwear especially in the hot seasons. To treat the infection, use antifungal creams.
Since the healing process does not take place overnight, there is a possibility of contracting the infection through:

  • Skin contact
  • Objects handled by infected people after they have touched their groin
  • Shared personal items such as towels, clothes and beddings.
  • Traces of fungus left in public places
  • Sexual intercourse.

What Causes Jock Itch in Women

In the heat and humidity of summer, it is not uncommon to develop jock itch in one’s groin area and along one’s inner thighs. Jock itch can occur in both men and women, though it is more common in men.
The official name for jock itch in women is tinea cruris and can occur when moisture or sweat becomes trapped in skin folds allowing fungus to grow.
Jock itch in women may not be common but that does not mean it is not contagious to females. While it is most common in men, jock itch is not discriminative. This fungal infection belongs to the ringworm family and a woman can contract it just like a man. It affects the groin, buttocks, anal area and inner thighs.
When the groin area is moist, warm and dark, a favorable environment for the fungus to thrive is created. This leads to an infection. A number of things could contribute to this. Clothes that are too tight give no room for the groin to breath.
They also trap moisture making it hard for the area to remain dry. This warm moist environment gives room for the fungus to grow.
A woman could also acquire jock itch from their partner. Although it is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, skin to skin contact with an infected person could lead to one contracting it.
Where a woman works out frequently, the clothes get moist for a long time from the sweating. This provides an environment for the breeding of the fungus. Where the gym locker rooms are shared, there is a possibility of picking it from an infected person. The same applies to the use of public pools.
Sharing clothes with people who suffer from the condition is not advisable as the fungi could be carried in the garments and onto an uninfected person. To avoid catching the infection, women should learn how to take care of themselves. Wear cotton underwear and shower regularly. Change out of swimwear and workout gear as soon as the exercise is over.

Jock itch in Women Causes

Jock itch in women, just like in men, is caused by fungi known as dermatophytes. These thrive in an environment that is moist, warm and dark. The groin area therefore becomes a conducive place for them where they feed on the dead skin cells causing irritation and itch.
There are some female jock itch symptoms that can help one to differentiate it from other groin infections. Here are the signs and symptoms you should look out for:

  • The most obvious sign is a circular rash or a bumpy rash on the skin, which occurs as a ring with elevated edges. The skin in the middle has a normal appearance.
  • The affected area will also itch and at times feel pain.
  • A burning sensation may also be experienced
  • Other than being on the groin, the fungal infection could spread on the inner upper thighs and anal area.
  • Inflammation and redness will also be experienced.
  • This may be accompanied with flaking of the skin.

Jock itch does not affect the entire body. It is usually limited to the groin, inner thigh folds, genitals, and anal area. Itching of the entire body is called pruritus and is generally unrelated to jock itch.
Most cases of jock itch in women are easily and fully curable. There are very uncommon, long-standing cases of jock itch that may not be curable. Often these more resistant cases may be controlled with proper treatment and medication.  Jock itch sometimes clears completely by itself without treatment.
Complications are infrequent since jock itch in women is usually a self-limited skin condition. Rarely, the rash may spread past the groin onto the thighs and genitals. Secondary skin infections from scratching or rubbing may uncommonly deepen causing cellulitis or abscess formation.
Another potential complication includes temporary skin discoloration called post-inflammatory hypopigmentation (lighter than the regular skin color) or hyperpigmentation (darker then the regular skin color).
Jock Itch in women prevention efforts include good general skin hygiene and keeping your groin clean and dry.

  • Wash groin and buttocks with soap and water off after exercise and sweating
  • Wash workout clothes, underwear, and swimwear after each use
  • Minimize groin moisture by using white cotton underwear
  • Change underwear frequently and especially after sweating
  • Wash clothes and undergarments in hot soapy water
  • Use loose fitting cotton underwear and clothing
  • Avoid undergarments with polyesters, nylon, or synthetic fibers
  • Use a deodorant spray after washing and drying the groin each day
  • Wash your groin well after exercise or sweating ( Sweat can have a lot of irritating salt and minerals)
  • Use an antifungal powder like Lamisil or Zeasorb to keep the groin dry
  • Avoid fragranced or irritating creams or lotions on the groin
  • Avoid going barefoot, especially at gyms, schools, and public pools
  • Treat athlete’s foot if you have it
  • Cover your feet with socks before you put on your underwear and pants

What does Jock Itch Look Like on a Woman?

Other medical conditions can mimic jock itch. Some possible look-alike skin conditions include:

  1. Tinea cruris

Tinea cruris, also known as crotch itch, crotch rot, Dhobie itch, eczema marginatum, gym itch, jock itch, and ringworm of the groin in American English is a dermatophyte fungal infection of the groin region in either sex, though more often seen in males.

  1. atopic dermatitis

Eczema, commonly called as atopic dermatitis is characterized by rash due to hypersensitivity reactions on the skin. This condition gets worse if the person is suffering from dry skin problem or allergy along with atopic dermatitis.

  1. inverse psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition where thickened plaques develop as a result of overgrowth of the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body and may sometimes affect the groin region.
Psoriasis can be a very itchy skin condition and scratching often does not fully relieve the itching. The type of psoriasis that is more likely to occur in the groin region is inverse psoriasis. The skin rash in inverse psoriasis is bright red, shiny and smooth to the touch.

  1. Contact Dermatitis

Use of certain fabric, chemical exposure, lotions, soap and creams can cause inflammation in skin layers, which is presented with rash and itching, termed as contact dermatitis. The allergic response initiates when the irritant comes in contact with skin layers thus itchy inner thighs.
Contact dermatitis is mostly presented with skin sores associated with itching and rash; in severe cases, blister may also appear.

  1. Heat Rash

Heat rash is a condition that is characterized by the blockage of sweat glands which results in the accumulation of sweat beneath the skin layers. This inability of sweat to get excreted can also produce heat rash.

  1. Impetigo

It is a highly contagious skin condition and it occurs on the face, neck, and hands of young children especially those who wear diapers tend to get it around the diaper area. It is caused by streptococcus pyogenes and staphylococcus aureus.

  1. Eczema

There occurrence usually appears as pimples as a result of blocked pores on the skin layer due to excessive oil application or accumulation of dead skin.

  1. Fungal Infection

Fungal infections such as jock itch are caused by tinea cruris, and are characterized by severe itching and redness on rash hence resulting to itchy inner thighs. These rashes sometimes turn into blisters which secretes water like secretions.

Female Jock Itch won’t go away

Where the itch is not given due attention, some complications may arise. It may spread past the groin into the genitals. Satisfying the urge to scratch could lead to further infections. If left untreated, it can last long, and the rash won’t go away or won’t heal on its own.
Skin discoloration could also occur in two levels. There could be resulting hypo-pigmentation where skin around lightens or hyper-pigmentation where the skin gets darker.
Jock itch in women, just like in men, is caused by fungi known as dermatophytes. These thrive in an environment that is moist, warm and dark. The groin area therefore becomes a conducive place for them where they feed on the dead skin cells causing irritation and itch.
Complications are infrequent since jock itch is usually a self-limited skin condition. Rarely, the rash may spread past the groin onto the thighs and genitals. Secondary skin infections from scratching or rubbing may uncommonly deepen causing cellulitis or abscess formation.
Another potential complication includes temporary skin discoloration called post-inflammatory hypopigmentation (lighter than the regular skin color) or hyperpigmentation (darker then the regular skin color). This altered skin color may occur after the rash has improved or after a temporary flare. Permanent scarring is uncommon.

Is Jock Itch Contagious

When a man suffers from jock itch, it is possible to wonder whether it can be transmitted or passed on to a woman. In most cases, jock itch is not contagious.
However, where there is intimate contact, the closeness of groin areas leads to a skin to skin contact. In case the man is suffering from the infection, it will be passed on.
The vice versa is also possible. Although a woman could also develop the infection without exposure, sexual contact increases the risk of it being contagious.
Women could also contract the fungal infection from sharing garments, public facilities, locker rooms and apparels. To avoid infection, it is important to take care of yourself. If you can, avoid sexual contact with an infected partner.
Get into the habit of showering frequently and keep the groin as dry as you can. Air drying is also important. Wear no underwear where at time to give room for the genitals to breath and also avoid sharing towels with an infected partner.
Some people are simply more prone to developing jock itch because of their overall health, activity, anatomy, possible altered immune status, exposure history, and other predisposing skin conditions like eczema. Patients with athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) are more prone to developing jock itch.
Although most cases of jock itch are not contagious, cases caused by an infection may be transmitted through skin or sexual contact, sharing of swimwear, or towels. It is possible to give fungal cases of jock itch in women to someone else through close skin contact.
If you have noticed these symptoms of Jock itch you must start applying anti-fungal creams on it as soon as it occurs. This will prevent the rash from spreading and worsening. You also need to apply the cream on the rash at least 4 times a day.

Female Jock Itch antifungal Cream

The condition begins with an itchy area of redness in a skin fold. The area may enlarge in no particular pattern. The rash appears as raised red plaques (platelike areas) with sharp borders.
The border may exhibit tiny pimples or even pustules with central areas that are reddish and dry with small scales. If you become infected with yeast organisms, the rash tends to be redder and moist.
The skin of the tip of the penis may be involved, whereas other organisms spare the male genitalia. Women who also have vaginal yeast infection experience vaginal itching and white, thick, cottage cheese-like discharge.
Tinea cruris is a form of superficial fungal infection that mostly affects the groin area. It is, however, not limited to the groin area and can spread to other parts of the body such as vagina; buttocks, anus, thighs and the areas surround the genitals.
Female jock itch generally refers to vaginal itch that obviously happens to women. This condition is often confused with yeast infection and hence many women find it difficult to get it rightly diagnosed and treated.
Women who wear tight fitting clothes are more prone to the infection. It is important to wear loose garments to keep the areas dry. In case of female vaginal jock itch, women should wear cotton underwear under the loose garments.
The following preventative measures apply to both male and female jock itch sufferers, but women with vaginal jock itch may find it helpful:

  1. Use an anti-fungal cream.

Prefer Lotrimin Ultra which contains Butenafine Hydrochloride over regular Lotrimin AF which just contains clotrimazole. Studies have shown Butenafine can be faster and more effective than clotrimazole.

  1. Frequently Change Your Undergarments

Washing and keeping it dry won’t work if you wear the same undergarments before washing. It is very important to change the underwear especially after every wash.

  1. Wash and Dry

After exercise or just after a sweating moment, wash the area with water and natural soap. After washing, use clean towels and gently tap the area to keep it dry. Alternatively, you can also a hair dryer for the purpose.

  1. Avoid Tight Fits

Tightfitting clothes rub against the skin making it more inflammatory. Wearing boxer shorts of cotton will keep the area ventilated and somewhat dry.

  1. The Homeopathic Treatment

Most homeopathic treatments contain only natural ingredients which are gentle on the skin and safer to use.Homeopathic treatments also targets to kill the bacteria causing the itch and eliminate chances of recurring.

Jock Itch Yeast Infection

Jock itch is caused by organisms called dermatophytes, which include a group of fungi that normally infects the top layer of dead skin, nails, and hair.
Trichophyton rubrum, one of the most common fungi producing jock itch, is unlike the fungus Candida albicans, which often causes vaginal fungal infections and can grow on skin, mucous membrane, and/or internal tissue. The lay term for fungal infections is yeast infections.
Candida albicans is normally present in the vagina, but causes a yeast infection when it multiplies sufficiently to produce symptoms. Reasons for this excessive growth are:

  1. Birth control use
  2. Weakened immune system
  3. Pregnancy
  4. Diabetes
  5. Skin maceration
  6. Antibiotic treatment
  7. Alteration in the normal vaginal flora as a result of bacterial vaginosis

Fungus grows well in dark, warm, moist environments. People are at risk of developing fungal (yeast) infections if they wear tight fitting clothes made of synthetic materials, sweat a lot during exercise, or remain in damp clothing.
Men can acquire Candidal infections in the groin, especially if two skin surfaces touch and moisture collects there. Men are also likely to get a fungal infection from a woman partner if they have not been circumcised. If one partner has an oral form of yeast infection called “thrush,” it can be transmitted during oral sex.
So another possibility is that maybe the guy did not have jock itch. He may have had a yeast infection and passed it on to you. Luckily, you can easily treat your yeast infection with over-the-counter topical creams and/or vaginal suppositories.

How to Get rid of Jock Itch, Cure, Home Remedies

You can get rid of female yeast infection in women naturally or using home remedies. One of the best known home remedies is vinegar. Below are ways on how to get rid of jock itch in ladies fast.

  1. Use apple cider vinegar to treat jock itch in female naturally

Apple cider vinegar has healing and anti-fungal properties. Add a teaspoon in a cup of water and use this mixture to clean the groin. Here’s how to use it to get rid of dhobie itch fast.

  • Dilute apple cider vinegar to reduce its acidity by mixing two tablespoons with two to three cups of water.
  • Clean the inner thighs and groin area affected with this solution.
  • Leave it to dry on the skin.
  • Do this twice a day until it goes away or is healed.
  1. Tea tree oil cure for jock itch in female

Since male dhobie itch is a yeast infection, you can eliminate it using a tea tree oil ointment or this home cure below:

  • Dab a cotton ball into tea tree oil.
  • Apply a little tea tree oil on the thighs, groins and area around anus if it is affected.
  • Do this twice a day until the jock itch goes away.
  1. Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is another effective home remedy for jock itch because it kills the fungus causing the infection. Plus, being a drying agent, it helps keep the affected area dry; fungi thrive in warm, moist environments.

  • Dip a cotton ball in 90 percent isopropyl alcohol.
  • Dab it on the affected area. You need not wash it off as the alcohol will evaporate quickly.
  • Do this a few times daily until you are satisfied with the results.
  1. Listerine

Listerine is an excellent home remedy for fungal infections like jock itch and athlete’s foot, thanks to its antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties.

  • Use a cotton ball to apply the amber Listerine mouthwash on the affected skin and leave it on until it dries completely. Initially it will hurt, but you will soon get relief from the soreness and inflammation.
  • Repeat three or four times daily for a few months for complete relief.
  1. White Vinegar

White vinegar can also help greatly in dealing with a skin infection like jock itch as it has antifungal and antiseptic properties.

  • Mix one part of white vinegar and four parts of water. Soak a washcloth in this solution and use it to wash the affected area, gently and thoroughly. Allow the solution to dry on its own; you need not rinse it off. Repeat once or twice daily.
  • Another option is to apply a mixture of equal parts of white vinegar and coconut oil on the affected skin. Leave it on for a few hours before washing it off. Do this twice daily until you get rid of the problem.
  1. Bleach

Bleach has antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties that help treat jock itch.

  • Mix one-fourth cup of bleach in a bathtub full of water.
  • Soak in it for about 15 minutes daily or every other day, depending upon the severity of the condition.

Be sure to pat dry your skin after your bath as moisture can worsen jock itch.

  1. Onion

Due to its antifungal, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, onion can easily kill the fungus that causes jock itch or athlete’s foot and bring relief.

  • Grind an onion into a paste. Apply it on the infected area. Leave it on for about 30 minutes and then rinse the area thoroughly with lukewarm water. Pat dry the area. Do this once or twice daily until you get relief. In place of onion paste, you can also use onion juice or onion oil.
  • Also, add onions in your cooking to give microbial protection to your whole body.
  1. Salt Bath

A salt water bath is one of the easiest ways to resolve jock itch. Salt helps control the growth of the fungus and will help the infection heal quickly. It can also be effective in treating boils and blisters.

  1. Garlic

Garlic is a great ingredient for treating jock itch due to its antifungal properties. It can also relieve itching and pain.

  • Crush a few garlic cloves and apply the paste on the affected skin. Leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off. Do these two or three times daily. If you have a sensitive skin then does not use this remedy.
  • Another option is to fry a few garlic cloves in olive oil, cool and strain the oil, and then apply it on the infected area. Leave it on for a few hours before washing it off. Repeat two or three times daily.
  • You can also eat raw garlic to strengthen your immune system and promote healing. If you wish you can take a garlic supplement daily.
  1. Honey

The antiseptic, antifungal and soothing properties of honey can be of great help in getting rid of jock itch. Manuka honey, in particular, is excellent for fungal infections causing jock itch, nail fungus or ringworm

Jock itch in women treatment and medications

Treatment of jock itch associated with skin irritation and excess moisture should address general measures to keep the groin clean and dry. Treatment of fungal jock itch should include antifungal creams used continuously for 2-4 weeks.
It is important to keep in mind that as with any condition, no therapy is uniformly effective in all people. Your doctor may need to help evaluate the cause of your jock itch.
Additionally, it is very important to follow these precautions to keep the ringworm of the groin from recurring:

  1. Wear clean underwear. Wash all infected clothing in hot water with little bleach where possible.
  2. Do not share personal items like towels, socks, combs, footwear and brushes etc with others.
  3. Keep the groin area clean and dry using tips and products given above. After bathing, apply the antifungal cream as prescribed by your doctor. There are also many OTC ringworm creams which you can use safely.
  4. Continue taking the oral antifungal pills as prescribed even if you start feeling better. Failure to complete the prescribed dosage might bring the infection back