What OTC creams (or ointments) treats Jock Itch, and is it caused by a fungus, yeast, or other? - Jinx :o
According to my version of ‘Teen Body Book’, jock itch is an infection of the skin caused by certain kinds of fungi that like to live in warm, moist environments. Any anti-fungal cream would be effective at clearing it up. You can get them online too, if you’re too embarrassed to go to the drugstore. The sprays are easier to use, BTW. You might want to use a drying powder too, like Gold Bond.
Other hints at it not happening again: Always wear clean briefs. Avoid tight fitting jeans or pants. Dry yourself thoroughly, particulary in the genital area. Don’t sit around in a wet bathing suit. If you have to wear a jock strap, make sure you keep it clean.
Good luck.
Jock Itch is caused by a fungus…the same type of fungus that causes athlete’s foot and ringworm. It’s called tinea. The name is appended by the part of the body it infects: tinea corporis is a general infection which affects the skin on the body, usually the arms, legs or chest; tinea pedis is athlete’s foot; tinea capitis is ringworm of the scalp; and tinea cruris is jock itch.
All of the OTC medications, like Tinactin, are appropriate for treatment. If you have any other medical conditions, however, especially diabetes or an impaired immune system, you may have to see your doctor if the OTC medication does not give relief within a couple weeks.
I had a spot of ringworm last year that I caught from my dog. I found a wonderful cure, but I don’t know if it’d be appropriate for, er, sensitive areas.
I tried using OTC anti-fungal treatments for weeks, and nothing worked. Finally I read online about something that did the trick in 48 hours. If you put a dab of bleach on the affected area, and then rinse it off (before it starts to burn!) it will effectively kill all the fungus. I used a little bleach twice a day for two days and it was gone.
Keep in mind IANAD and am not liable for damage to bodily parts for adherence / nonadherence to general rules of safety and common sense
I wonder if that would work for atheletes foot. Sounds positively exciting. Danger! Poisons! Fungal cures!
IANAD, but I hear Argo corn starch works well (a friend uses it, I haven’t–yet).
I tend to be a girl, but what the hay!
Use a liquid soap called Hebclens in the infected area. Wash and dry completely. Apply a power called “Nystop.” (You would need a doctor’s prescription for the powder; the soap can be bought at the pharmacy.) I have been told that it provides instant relief from the burning and itching and generally clears up the problem altogether in a couple of days.
Jeez! I can’t believe the harsh and toxic things people apply to their privates!
I stick with standard antifungals for such ailments; I also like to buy the ones sold for yeast infections rather than the ones packaged for athlete’s foot, as the tube is much larger (I can get maybe two applications on my feet, out of that little 1/2-oz. tube). It’s exactly the same stuff, it’s cheaper, and it’s more convenient.
Good god, wouldn’t corn starch just give the yeast more food to thrive?!
Also, don’t be embarrassed about buying jock itch medicine (not that you said you were, but just in case). I’ve bought it when I thought my son’s diaper rash was yeast-based. There are all kinds of reasons why you might be buying it, so don’t worry about some clerk thinking “Ha ha, itchy pee-pee!”