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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffFor a mild case of jock itch, your doctor may suggest first using an over-the-counter antifungal ointment, lotion, powder or spray. Jock itch is treated with one of two types of antifungal medications — azoles or allylamines. Generally, allylamines require a shorter treatment time, while azoles are less expensive but require longer treatment time.
Most infections respond well to these over-the-counter and prescription topical agents:
Allylamines
- Terbinafine (Lamisil AT)
- Naftifine (Naftin)
Azoles
- Miconazole (Micatin, Monistat-Derm)
- Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
If jock itch is severe or doesn't respond to over-the-counter medicine, you may need a prescription-strength topical or oral medication. These include:
Topical
- Econazole (Spectazole)
- Oxiconazole (Oxistat)
Oral
- Itraconazole (Sporanox)
- Fluconazole (Diflucan)
- Terbinafine (Lamisil)
If you also have athlete's foot, treat it at the same time you are treating your jock itch so that both infections aren't likely to recur.
Side effects from oral medications include gastrointestinal upset, rash and abnormal liver function. Taking other medications, such as antacid therapies for ulcer disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may interfere with the absorption of these drugs. Oral medications for fungal infection may alter the effectiveness of warfarin, an anticoagulant drug that decreases the clotting ability of your blood.
Another oral medication, griseofulvin (GrifulvinV), is sometimes used to treat fungal skin infections. Although it's effective, it may take longer to clear up the infection. Potential side effects include headache, discomfort in the digestive tract, sensitivity to light, rashes or a drop in your white blood cell count. Griseofulvin may be used for people who are allergic to other antifungal medications, or for people who have other medical conditions that may be negatively affected by other medications, such as people with liver disease.
People with weak immune systems, such as those with diabetes or HIV/AIDS, may find it more difficult to get rid of this infection.
- Hainer BL. Dermatophyte infections. American Family Physician. 2003;67(1):101-108.
- Goldstein A, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug, 25, 2008.
- Nadalo D, et al. What is the best way to treat tinea cruris? The Journal of Family Practice. 2006;55(3):256-258.
- Gupta AK, et al. Optimal management of fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2004;5(4):225-237.
- Diflucan (prescribing information). New York, N.Y.: Pfizer; 2008.
- Grifulvin V (prescribing information). Raritan, N.J.: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation; 1997.
- Lawrence Gibson (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 9, 2008.
