Will putting cream on my jock itch help it go away?

Jock itch is a form of a superficial fungal infection of the skin, more common in men than in women. Often, the source of the infection is the patient's own fungal infection located on the feet (i.e., athlete's foot). It tends to occur in those patients who experience heavy sweating as a result of physical activity in this setting. Typically the rash of jock itch is red and starts on the upper thigh, and spreads outward as the center of the rash begins to clear. The diagnosis can be confirmed by your primary care physician, who can look at a scraping of the lesion under the microscope and identify the fungal organisms. To get rid of the infection, usually topical agents will suffice. These drugs can be purchased over-the-counter and include creams such as clotrimazole or ketoconazole. Since the source of the infection is often the feet, you should also treat any lesions of athlete's foot that may also be present. The same medication can be used in both areas. Keeping the area of jock itch dry with avoidance of excess sweating and hot baths can be helpful. Additionally, talcum powder to reduce local moisture and avoidance of tight-fitting undergarments can also be beneficial in the short-term. Showering twice daily is not necessary. Please talk to your primary care physician for moire information about your symptoms or treatment.