Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index Jock itch, also called tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin, is an infection of the groin area caused by fungi. Table of contents 1 Causes 2 Symptoms 3 External link Causes The body normally hosts a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Some of these are useful to the body. Others can multiply rapidly and form infections. Jock itch occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies in the groin area. Jock itch occurs almost exclusively in adult men. It can sometimes accompany athlete's foot and ringworm. The fungus that causes jock itch, thrives in warm, moist areas. The risk of getting jock itch is increased by friction from clothes and prolonged wetness in the groin area (such as from sweating). Jock itch may be contagious. It can be passed from one person to the next by direct skin-to-skin contact or by contact with contaminated items such as unwashed clothing. Jock itch usually stays around the creases in the upper thigh and does not involve the genitals (scrotum or penis). It is often less severe than other tinea infections, but may last a long time. Jock itch may spread to the anus, causing significant anal itching and discomfort. Other causes of itching in the groin include: lichen simplex chronicus eczema pubic lice chemical irritation Symptoms Itching of the groin, thigh skin folds, or anal area Circular skin rash -- red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply-defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center. (This may create the appearance of a ring.) Abnormally dark or light skin External link NIH guide to jock itch This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.