Jock Itch:  It’s Not Just for Guys Anymore!
How to Overcome This Contagious Fungal Infection That Can Infect Nearly Anyone (Including Women!)
by www.SixWise.com

Jock itch is a fungal infection that causes a red itchy rash on your inner thighs, buttocks and groin area. Its name stems from the fact that it’s common in people who sweat a lot, such as athletes and “jocks,” but the name is deceiving as anyone can get jock itch -- even women.

Fungi called dermatophytes causes jock itch. This is the same type of fungus that often causes athlete’s foot and because it’s highly contagious it can easily be spread from your feet to your groin area or vice versa.

This is the reason why you should never get itchy feet near genitals and never scratch your feet without thoroughly washing your hands before touching your or another person’s genital area!

While the dermatophytes fungus is a normal inhabitant of your skin and rarely causes problems on clean, dry skin, the groin area’s warm, moist environment makes it easy for the fungi to grow out of control, resulting in an infection.

Some of the most common signs of jock itch include:

• An itchy red rash in your groin area (genital region, inner thighs, buttocks and anal area)

• A burning sensation on affected skin

• Flaking, peeling or cracking of your skin in the affected area

Because jock itch thrives in warm, moist areas, people who sweat a lot, wear tight underwear or athletic supporters (especially if worn twice without washing in between), or are obese are at an increased risk of jock itch.

If you have an impaired immune system, such as occurs in diabetes or HIV/AIDS, or have atopic dermatitis, you may also be at an increased risk.

The Infection is Highly Contagious … But Easily Treatable

Jock itch spreads easily and you can catch it by sharing contaminated towels or clothing or having sexual intercourse with someone who is infected. It’s also easily spread from your feet to your groin area if you already have athlete’s foot.

This uncomfortable condition can be easily treated with over-the-counter anti-fungal creams, however the downside is that many proprietary creams used to relieve irritation and itch contain chemicals that can cause discomfort.

A highly recommended and natural alternative is Kolorex® Intimate Care Cream, which uses a natural preservative system and is free from synthetic preservatives, mineral oils, synthetic fragrances, parabens and animal products.

Kolorex is a natural formula made with Horopito, a powerful anti-fungal herb that grows only in New Zealand and has been used since ancient times to relieve skin diseases.

Kolorex Intimate Care contains the strongest Horopito™ extract (kolorXtract-50™), together with lemon tea tree oil for deep down cleansing, apricot kernel oil to soothe, aloe extract to replenish, natural source vitamin E to condition and lactic acid to balance pH.

Because jock itch often occurs at the same time as athlete’s foot, it’s highly recommended that you treat any athlete’s foot as well to prevent it from spreading to your groin, and for this Sixwise.com highly recommends all-natural Kolorex® Foot & Toe Care Cream. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after each application.

Six More Tips for Keeping Jock Itch Away

Jock itch is rarely serious but it can be quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to greatly reduce your risk of this itchy infection, such as the six that follow from the Mayo Clinic:

1. Bathe daily, especially after exercising, playing sports or sweating excessively. This helps keep the number of bacteria on your skin in check.

2. Stay dry. Dry your groin area and inner thighs thoroughly after showering or exercising to prevent excess moisture. You can also apply powder such as corn starch to stay dry.

3. Use good hygiene. Change your underwear at least once a day and more often if you sweat a lot. Also be sure to wash your workout clothes after each use.

4. Stay cool. Avoid wearing thick clothing for long periods of time in warm, humid weather.

5. Make sure your clothes fit correctly, especially underwear, sports uniforms and athletic supporters. Tight-fitting clothes can rub and chafe your skin, increasing your risk of jock itch, so men may want to try boxers instead of briefs.

6. Avoid sharing personal items. Do not share or borrow clothing, towels or personal items, and make sure any shared exercise machines are cleaned between uses.

“Preparation is more than half the battle!”

It’s Highly Recommended you pass-along this article to teens who might “NOT” want to discuss such issues but have a higher likelihood of coming into contact with contagious fungi -- and likely will not tell anyone due to embarrassment.

Recommended Reading

Athlete’s Foot: How to Get Rid of This Common and Incredibly Itchy Fungal Infection

Candida: How to Recognize and Overcome Yeast Overgrowth (a Surprisingly Common Chronic Illness)

Sources

MayoClinic.com Jock Itch

MedicineNet.com Jock Itch