The medical term for jock itch is tinea cruris. This is a fungal infection that is caused by the fungus trichophyton rubrum. This condition affects both men and women, and it is commonly happening on the inner thighs, genital area, buttocks, and groin. But this condition is more common in men.
Having a weakened immune system, excessive sweating, wearing tight underwear, and being overweight are some factors which are increasing your risk of jock itch. Flaking skin, a burning sensation, redness, and itching are some symptoms of jock itch.
This condition is mildly contagious, so this is a reason why you should not share personal things with other people. This is not a serious medical condition, but it can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. But there are some home remedies that can give you relief from this condition. You should not consider these home remedies as a substitute for standard antifungal medications, and you need to talk with your doctor before you use them as your natural cure.
Along with these home remedies, you should bear in mind that personal hygiene is very important as part of the natural treatment for the jock itch. When you have good personal hygiene, then you will prevent the jock itch from spreading to other parts of your body.
10 Home remedies for jock itch
Contents
Bleach
This natural cure has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties, which can help you to treat the jock itch [1,2].
In a bathtub full of water, you should mix ¼ cup of bleach. You should soak your body in this natural cure for about fifteen minutes every day or every other day, which depends on the severity of this condition. You should be sure to pat dry your skin after you have taken a bath, as moisture can worsen the jock itch.
Garlic
This is one of the best kitchen ingredients which you can use as your natural treatment for jock itch because it possesses antifungal properties [3].
Also, it can give you relief from pain and inflammation. You should crush a few garlic cloves, and you should apply this paste to your affected skin. You should let it stay there for a few minutes, and then you should wash it off. You should do this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day. You should not use this natural cure if you have sensitive skin. Also, there is another option that you can make from this natural cure, and that is to fry a few garlic cloves in olive oil. Cool it. Then, strain this natural cure. Apply this natural cure to the infected area. You should let it stay there for a few hours before you wash it off. You should repeat this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day.
Also, you can eat raw garlic because it will strengthen your immune system and promote the healing process. If you want, then you can add garlic supplements to your daily diet but firstly, talk with your doctor.
Salt bath
This is one of the easiest ways in which you can resolve your jock itch. Salt will help you to control the growth of the fungus, and also it will help you to heal your infection quickly. This can also be a very effective natural cure for treating blisters and boils.
Also, you can use Epsom salt, just table salt or bath salts. You should fill your bathtub with warm water and mix a generous amount of salt in it. You should soak your body in it for twenty to thirty minutes. You should repeat this natural treatment at least 2 times per day to get the best results.
Honey
Honey has soothing, antifungal, and antiseptic properties, which can be used as a natural treatment to rid of the jock itch. Manuka honey is one of the best natural cures for fungal infections which are causing ringworm, nail fungus, and jock itch [4].
You should apply pure honey to the affected skin. It is preferred to use manuka or honey. Let it stay there for at least thirty minutes. You should wash it off, and you should pat dry the affected area thoroughly. You should do this natural treatment once or twice per day until your infection clears. You can also make a paste of 2 teaspoons of honey and some minced garlic. You should apply it to the affected skin. Let it stay there for a few minutes. Then, you should wash it off. This natural cure can cause you a stinging sensation, but soon it will stop, and you will feel relief from inflammation and itchiness. You once per day until you are satisfied with your results.
White vinegar
This is also a very effective home remedy for dealing with skin infections such as jock itch because it has antiseptic and antifungal properties [5].
You should mix 4 parts of water with one part of white vinegar. You should soak a washcloth in this home remedy, and you should use it to wash the affected skin gently and thoroughly. You should allow this natural cure to dry on its own. You do not need to rinse it off. You should repeat this natural treatment once or twice per day.
Also, there is another option, and that is to apply a mixture of equal amounts of coconut oil and white vinegar on the affected skin. You should let it stay there for a few hours before you wash it off. You should do this natural treatment two times per day until you rid of this problem.
Onion
This natural cure has anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antifungal properties, and this is a reason why it can easily kill the fungus, which is a reason for an athlete’s foot or jock itch, and it will give you relief from these conditions [6].
You should grind an onion into a paste. You should apply it to the affected area. Let it stay there for thirty minutes, and then you should rinse this area thoroughly with lukewarm water. You should pat dry this area. You should do this once or twice per day until you get relief. In place of onion paste, you can also use onion oil or onion juice.
Also, you can add onions to your cooking to give microbial protection to your whole body.
Listerine
This is one of the best natural cures for fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and jock itch because it has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. You should use a cotton ball to apply the amber Listerine mouthwash on the affected skin, and you should leave it on until this home remedy dries completely. Initially, this home remedy will hurt, but soon you will get relief from the inflammation and soreness. You should never use Listerine in open wounds.
Rubbing alcohol
This is also a very effective home remedy for jock itch because it can kill the fungus which is the cause of this condition. Also, this home remedy is a drying agent, and it can help to keep the affected area dry. It is a known fact that fungi thrive in warm and moist environments. You should dip a cotton ball in 90% isopropyl alcohol. You should dab it on the affected area. You do not need to wash the rubbing alcohol because it will evaporate quickly. You should do this natural treatment a few times per day until you are satisfied with the results.
Apple cider vinegar
One of the best ways to deal with jock itch is to wash the infected skin with diluted apple cider vinegar. This natural cure has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help you to cure and control many skin infections [7].
You should mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 2 cups of warm water. You should wash the infected area with this natural cure, and you should allow it to dry on its own. You should repeat this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day, especially before you go to bed.
Tea tree oil
This natural cure has antifungal properties, which can be a very effective natural treatment for jock itch along with other types of skin infections [8].
Also, this natural cure has deep cleansing and stimulating elements along with a powerful antibacterial property. This natural cure can help alleviate inflammation and itchiness associated with the jock itch. You should use a cotton ball to apply tea tree oil to the affected skin two times per day. You should do this natural treatment for a few days until the symptoms disappear completely.
If this natural cure is causing you a lot of burning sensation, then you can mix 4 or 5 drops of tea tree oil in one tablespoon of coconut oil, and then you should use it. Also, there is another option, and that is to add a few drops of tea tree oil to your bath water, and you should soak your body in it for about fifteen minutes. Also, you can use shampoo or soap, which has tea tree oil.
References
[1] Aldabbagh S, Ali HH, Khalil II, Hamad MA. A study of some antibiotics; disinfectants and antiseptics efficacy against some species of pathogenic bacteria. Assiut Vet. Med. J. 2015;61(147):210-14.
[2] Barnes TM, Greive KA. Use of bleach baths for the treatment of infected atopic eczema. Australasian Journal of Dermatology. 2013;54(4):251-58.
[3] Li W-R, Shi Q-S, Dai H-Q, et al. Antifungal activity, kinetics and molecular mechanism of action of garlic oil against Candida albicans. Scientific Reports. 2016;6.
[4] Mandal MD, Mandal S. Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2011;1(2):154-60.
[5] Johnston CS, Gaas CA. Vinegar: Medicinal uses and antiglycemic effect. Medscape General Medicine. 2006;8(2):61.
[6] Kim JH. Anti-bacterial action of onion (Allium cepa L.) extracts against oral pathogenic bacteria. The Journal of Nihon University School of Dentistry. 1997;39(3):136-41.
[7] Yagnik D, Serafin V, Shah AJ. Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Scientific Reports. 2018;8:1732.
[8] Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: A review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2006;19(1):50-62.
