15 Effective Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Jock Itch

It’s itching, and it’s at a location you cannot scratch. Except when you are all alone in the restroom. A jock itch can be annoying as hell with all the itching and the accompanying burning sensation. This article will talk in detail about this condition and how you can get rid of it with simple home remedies.
Jock itch, medically known as tinea cruris, is a stinging rash that appears in the groin area. It can spread to the buttocks and inner thighs if left untreated. Though it mostly affects men, women are not immune to this annoying problem. Let us look at how this rash can develop and the associated symptoms.

How Do You Get Jock Itch?

Men are 10 times more susceptible than women to get a bout of jock itch. What causes this nasty rash that makes you do that unpleasant, unwelcome, and disgusting action of scratching your groin in public? Here are the most common causes:

• Tight, non-skin friendly underwear (say no to lycra and stick to cotton)
• Fungal infections (mainly ringworm)
• Skin friction in the thigh and groin area
• Build-up of sweat and warmth in the groin
• Tight jeans and pants

Besides being uncomfortable and embarrassing, the jock itch can also become worse over time if left untreated. The rash may spread to the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus, and inner thighs in men, and the vulva, labia, buttocks, anus, and inner thighs in women. It may take on a more aggressive look over time, changing from a simple rash to angry, red raised spots that are so sore that they can’t bear even the touch of fabric or water (1, 2). So, before you leave your jock itch to fate (and blame it later), try a good home remedy that will nip it in the bud.

Jock Itch Symptoms

The initial symptom of jock itch (common to both sexes) is an uncomfortable itching in the groin. Normally, the more folds your skin has, the worse your itch will be. The itching may sometimes clear up with better hygiene. When it doesn’t, it might progress to rough sores. In extreme cases, these sores may become oozy and pus-filled. The rash is symmetrical and will spread evenly to both sides of the body. Women may even develop vaginal infections if they leave the jock rash untreated for long.

Also, in rare cases, jock itch can lead to skin abscesses and cellulitis. These conditions are rare, but require a strict treatment regimen. In some cases, repetitive jock itch can discolor the skin of the genitals.
So, do not delay treating this issue and stop it from progressing any further with the home remedies listed below.

Home Remedies For Jock Itch

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

 

You Will Need

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups water
• A cotton washcloth

What You Have To Do

1. Dilute the vinegar in water and lightly warm it up.
2. Dip the washcloth in this and place it on the affected area for 5-10 minutes.
3. Remove the washcloth and pat the skin dry.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this 2-3 times in a day.

Why This Works

ACV has natural drying and antifungal qualities. The fungus causing the infection will be eliminated, and the rash will start to heal (3).

2. Baking Soda

 

You Will Need

• 1-2 tablespoons baking soda
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Make a thick paste with the baking soda and water and apply it on the rash.
2. Leave it on for about 15 minutes.
3. Wash it off and wipe the skin dry.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply baking soda paste twice a day.

Why This Works

Baking soda, another common element found in every kitchen, has strong drying and soothing properties. It also neutralizes the haphazard pH levels at the affected site, which helps to reduce the infection. Its antifungal properties deal with the infection effectively (4, 5).

3. Rubbing Alcohol

 

You Will Need

• 90% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• Cotton

What You Have To Do

Using the cotton, apply the alcohol on the affected area and let it dry.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3-4 times a day.

Why This Works

Alcohol evaporates quickly and keeps the area dry. This becomes an unsuitable environment for the fungus as it thrives in moist and warm surroundings. Alcohol also works against the infection as it is a disinfectant and an antimicrobial agent (6).

4. Cornstarch

 

You Will Need

Cornstarch

What You Have To Do

Sprinkle some cornstarch on the rash and leave it on.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this a few times during the day.

Why This Works

Cornstarch is a key component in items like baby powders. It suits sensitive skin and easily absorbs the excess moisture from the skin. This remedy will help to keep the affected area dry and reduce the itching (7).

5. Hydrogen Peroxide

 

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
• 1 teaspoon water
• Petroleum jelly
• Cotton

What You Have To Do

1. Dilute hydrogen peroxide with water.
2. Apply this on the affected area with the cotton. It will produce a stinging sensation.
3. Apply petroleum jelly on top and leave it on overnight.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every night before going to bed.

Why This Works

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective antifungal agent, but be prepared for the stinging sensation if you decide to try this remedy (8).

6. Essential Oil For Jock Itch

 

You Will Need

• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup neem oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 10 drops lavender oil
• 10 drops myrrh oil
• 5 drops tea tree oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix all the ingredients and transfer the mixture to a glass jar with a tight lid.
2. Apply some of this homemade ointment on the rash and leave it on.

The essential oils mentioned can also be used by themselves after diluting with a few drops of coconut oil.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply twice a day.

Why This Works

Myrrh, lavender, and tea tree oils contain antimicrobial compounds (9, 10, 11). The infection causing fungi can be easily killed with these oils, giving you relief from the itching and burning sensation.

7. Oatmeal And Epsom Salt Bath

 

You Will Need

• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 10-12 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• A bathtub with warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Draw a bath and add the oatmeal and Epsom salt to it.
2. Soak in this for about 20 minutes and then rinse your body with plain water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this every day for quick relief from jock itch.

Why This Works

Epsom salt is hygroscopic in nature and absorbs all the excess moisture from the affected area (12). It is also antifungal in nature (13). Oatmeal helps to soothe the itchiness and calm down the skin (14).

8. Garlic And Honey

 

You Will Need

• 1-2 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon honey

What You Have To Do

1. Crush the garlic and mix it with the honey.
2. Apply this on the jock itch and keep it on for 15-20 minutes.
3. Rinse it off and pat the skin dry.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice a day.

Why This Works

Garlic and honey make a wonderful combo that can banish the itching for good. If you are worried that the garlic might sting, the honey will do the trick. Garlic has strong antifungal properties, and honey is a natural remedy that can soothe and soften the skin (15, 16).

9. Aloe Vera

 

You Will Need

An aloe leaf

What You Have To Do

1.  Cut open the leaf and extract the gel present inside.
2. Clean the affected area and dry it.
3. Apply fresh aloe gel on it and leave it on.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply aloe gel 2-3 times a day.

Why This Works

Aloe vera has natural soothing and non-acidic qualities. It reduces the itching as well as the burning sensation with its cooling properties. Aloe gel is also antiseptic in nature and can help to treat jock itch (17).

10. Calamine Lotion For Jock Itch

You Will Need

Calamine lotion

What You Have To Do

Clean the area and apply calamine lotion on the rash.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply the lotion as and when required.

Why This Works

Calamine lotion soothes the skin and gives relief from the itching sensation (18).

11. Listerine For Jock Itch

 

You Will Need

• Listerine mouthwash
• Cotton

What You Have To Do

1. Dab some of the mouthwash on the cotton and apply on the affected area.
2. You can wash it off after a couple of minutes.
3. Do not forget to pat the skin dry.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice a day.

Why This Works

The antiseptic and antifungal properties of Listerine are often used for dandruff relief. The same properties will give immediate relief from tinea cruris as well (19).

Caution

The alcohol in Listerine might cause a slight stinging sensation initially, but you will swear by it when you experience that immense relief.

12. Lemon For Jock Itch

 

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon water
• Cotton ball

What You Have To Do

1. Dilute the lemon juice and apply it on the affected area with the cotton ball.
2. Leave it on for 4-5 minutes and then wash it off.
3. Pat the skin dry.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this remedy twice a day for best results.

Why This Works

Lemon juice is a natural antimicrobial agent that can help to eliminate the infection and treat tinea cruris (20).

Caution

The lemon juice will sting a little because of its acidity.

13. Onion

 

You Will Need

• 1/4 onion
• Cotton pad

What You Have To Do

1. Grate the onion and squeeze firmly to extract its juice.
2. Soak the cotton pad in the juice and place it on the rash. You can also use a cotton ball to apply the juice on the affected area.
3. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
4. Wash it off and dry the area well.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply this twice a day.

Why This Works

Onion is a natural anti-inflammatory and antifungal root (21).

14. Coconut Oil

 

You Will Need

Organic coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply a few drops of the oil on the rash.
2. Leave it on overnight.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this every night, before going to bed.

Why This Works

The application of coconut oil (as pure as you can find) on the affected area will give you lasting relief. Coconut has natural properties that soothe the rash and block moisture. It also makes the skin smooth and less susceptible to jock itch in the future (22).

15. Herbal Extracts

 

You Will Need

A few drops of lemongrass extract OR calendula extract OR witch hazel extract OR grapefruit seed extract

What You Have To Do

Apply the extract available on the rash and leave it on.

How Often You Should Do This

Reapply twice a day.

Why This Works

These herbal extracts are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory in nature. They treat the infection as well as the symptoms of jock itch (23, 24, 25, 26).

Jock itch is embarrassing and uncomfortable, but it is treatable as well as avoidable. Choose from the list of simple home remedies for jock itch given above, depending on the severity of your rash, and get quick and easy relief.

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