At some time or another, we have all seen people (usually men) standing outside with both hands in their pant pockets, scratching away at their private parts. They do not realise how awkward it appears to observers, as the itch is paramount and unbearable for them. This condition is called Jock Itch or, to give it its scientific name, tinea cruris.

It affects around 25 per cent of the population at any given time. It is transmitted by close contact and through clothing. It is highly infectious. It is commoner in men, but can also occur in women. It tends to run in families with many developing infections at the same time. This is partly due to inherited genetic makeup and immune response to fungal infections. It is aggravated by hygiene practices in the family like sharing soaps, towels and clothes.

People who develop Jock Itch aren’t necessarily young athletes or men. It can occur in older people, particularly if they are obese, diabetic, immunocompromised or have cancer.

Ordinary people who wear tight-fitting clothes, particularly if they are made of synthetic material, and do not change out of sweaty or wet clothes quickly can also develop this.

Sometimes, people develop fungal infections in other areas such as athlete’s foot between their toes, tinea capitis on their heads or tinea corporis (ringworm) on their bodies. If they touch these areas and then the groin area, they are likely to transfer the fungal infection there and develop tinea cruris.

The appearance of the lesions in tinea cruris is typical. The rashes are in the groin area and inner thigh. The lesions also appear in the folds between the thigh and abdomen. The scrotum is spared.

They may appear red or grey with irregular margins. The infection spreads outward. There may be central healing with the appearance of normal skin in the centre.

Physicians will usually make a clinical diagnosis. Although the diagnosis can be confirmed by skin scrapings, PCR tests or fungal cultures, these are rarely required or used.

Tinea cruris can be treated with twice-daily applications of antifungal creams. Antifungal powders can be liberally dusted on the lesions before wearing clothes. Sometimes, steroid creams are co-prescribed to reduce the itching immediately and produce a rapid response. Combination creams are available. If they are used for more than two to three days, there is an immediate cure. However, the symptoms will relapse as soon as they are discontinued. The response to antifungal creams is slow. A cure takes around three to four weeks of twice-daily applications. Many people become irregular about treatment after they have some initial relief. This leads to failure of treatment.

Sometimes, itching can cause tears and abrasions in the skin. This can become secondarily infected, leading to pain, redness, yellow crusting lesions, fever and enlarged lymph nodes. If this occurs, please consult your doctor immediately.

Sometimes, antifungal medication may also be prescribed to be taken orally. The dose, frequency and duration of treatment should be strictly followed. Doses should not be missed.

The writer has a family practice at Vellore and is the author of Staying Healthy in Modern India. If you have any questions on health issues please write to yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in