Jock itch is a fairly common type of fungal infection that occurs in both men and women. Medically referred to as tinea cruris, this infection occurs in warm moist areas. As such, some of the most common locations for the infection include the groin area, the inner thighs and the buttocks. The result of this infection is a ring-shaped rash that is extremely itchy and causes discomfort. Since it commonly occurs in warm moist areas, people who sweat a lot are predisposed to getting the infection. In fact, the condition got its name from the fact that many athletes get the infection, thanks to their professions.

onion and garlic

Other risk factors for jock itch include obesity, a weak immune system as well as those who don extremely tight inner wear. It is important to make mention that this fungal infection is highly contagious. As such, it is easily spread through sharing clothes and personal items. While jock itch is not a potentially fatal medical condition, it is extremely uncomfortable and causes embarrassment in social circles. You need not suffer in silence, however as there are handy home remedies available for you. If, after considerable use of your choice remedy there is still some discomfort, you are advised to seek the services of a medical doctor. Do not, however, use the home remedies in place of prescribed anti-fungal medication.

1. Alcohol:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Cotton ball and IPA (90% Isopropyl alcohol).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Rubbing alcohol on the affected part of the body has shown to be an effective home remedy in the treatment of jock itch. This is because the alcohol used kills the fungus, thus helping to eliminate the infection. In addition to this, the alcohol has excellent drying properties which help keep the infected area as dry as possible. This is an excellent trait because the fungi thrive in warm moist places. By ensuring the skin remains dry, the alcohol makes for an ideal remedy.

Directions:

  1. Soak the cotton wool in the alcohol for 30 seconds.
  2. Dab the wet wool on the part of the skin affected by jock itch and let it remain there for a minute or so.
  3. You need not rinse off the alcohol as it evaporates pretty fast on its own.
  4. Use this remedy at least twice daily until you are content with the results.

 

2. White Vinegar:

Time Required: 20 – 60 Min
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar, 4 tablespoons of warm water and a clean washcloth. Optional – 2 tablespoons each of Coconut oil and warm water, warm bath and cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

White vinegar has long been used in the treatment of varied skin conditions. This is attributed to its excellent anti-fungal properties which help get rid of the causative fungi. The remedy also has the advantage of antiseptic properties which ensure that the affected area remains free of infections.There are two ways you can use this remedy: the first is through the dilution of the vinegar using warm water, and secondly, dilution using coconut oil. Coconut oil is an excellent home remedy for different skin conditions too, making it an ideal accompaniment for this natural remedy.

Directions:

Dilution using Water:

  1. Mix the white vinegar and warm water and stir in a cup.
  2. Place the washcloth in the resulting solution and soak for 30 seconds.
  3. Use the washcloth to clean the itchy affected skin, doing this as gently as you can for about 5 minutes.
  4. Allow the solution to dry on its own instead of rinsing it off.
  5. Use this remedy at least twice daily for best results.

Dilution using Coconut Oil:

  1. Mix equal parts of the coconut oil and white vinegar and stir to mix well.
  2. You may need to use a warm bath to melt the coconut oil if solidified.
  3. Soak the cotton wool in the mixture and apply onto the affected skin.
  4. Leave the remedy on for about half an hour (or up to 2 hours if practical) before rinsing it off using warm water.
  5. Use this remedy twice daily until the infection clears.

 

3. Tea Tree Oil:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Cotton ball, tea tree oil, dropper and your choice carrier oil (olive oil and coconut oil work well).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Tea tree oil is one of the most effective anti-fungal home remedies, and this is what makes it suitable for the natural treatment of jock itch. When applied on the affected skin, the oil eliminates the fungi and allows for the skin to heal. Other benefits of using this oil include its cleansing properties which clean the skin pores and its subtle anti inflammatory properties. All of these properties make it a top choice for you whenever you have to deal with the discomfort of this infection. The use of the carrier oil reduces the characteristic skin irritation that accompanies the use of tea tree oil.

Directions:

  1. Add the tea tree oil to the carrier oil
  2. Soak the cotton wool in the oil mixture before placing it on the affected skin.
  3. Apply the mixture gently and rub in gently.
  4. Let the oil mixture remain on the skin, and use this remedy twice daily.

 

4. Salted Water Bath:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Warm bath water, 5 tablespoons of salt and a clean towel.
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the simplest ways to treat jock itch is to soak in warm salted bath. Salt has healing properties which help eliminate the rash. Another of the salt’s benefits is its ability to cause the skin to dry out by absorbing the excess moisture. This enhances the drying of the affected skin, thus creating a harsh environment for the fungi to survive in. Note that while this may cause irritation at the onset of the bath session, its long term effects make it ideal for the treatment of the fungal infection.

Directions:

  1. Place the salt in the bath and run the warm water.
  2. Soak in it for about half an hour.
  3. While it may cause a stinging sensation at the onset, this remedy works wonders when used at least twice daily for a couple of days.

 

5. Apple Cider Vinegar:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 2 Tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar, 2 cups of warm water and a clean washcloth.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Rinsing the affected skin using apple cider vinegar is recommended as a natural way to treat jock itch. One of the vinegar’s greatest advantages is its anti-fungal properties which help manage the causative agent of the itchiness. Note however, that the vinegar is not used in its undiluted state as this could easily aggravate the condition by causing intense skin irritation. To avoid this, the vinegar is diluted with warm water to reduce its intensity while retaining its healing properties. It is preferable to use raw apple cider vinegar for the best results.

Directions:

  1. Add the apple cider vinegar to the warm water and stir to mix well.
  2. Rinse the affected skin using the solution before allowing it to dry on its own.
  3. After about 10 minutes, pat the skin dry using the clean washcloth to ensure that no moisture is left behind.
  4. Use this remedy at least twice daily, with one of those times been at bedtime for best results.

 

6. Listerine Mouthwash:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 1/2 Cup of Listerine and cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the most interesting remedies for the effective home treatment of jock itch is Listerine mouthwash. In case you are wondering how this adds up, you may want to consider that he mouthwash is used for its ability to eliminate bacteria and fungi from the oral cavity. For this reason, the mouthwash is known to be just as effective in getting rid of the fungi that causes jock itch. The remedy is both simple to use and ideal for anyone who needs quick application on the go. Take note that Listerine is not intended for broken skin, and especially in cases where the itching causes tiny open sores.

Directions:

  1. Soak the cotton wool in the Listerine and gently squeeze the excess amount.
  2. Dab the wet wool on the affected skin and allow the solution to dry on its own without rinsing.
  3. Use this remedy thrice daily for relief from the intense itching.

 

7. Home Bleach:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 3 Tablespoons of bleach and a tub of warm bath water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Contrary to popular belief, bleach can also be used to manage jock itch. this is because in addition to its main purpose (whitening), it also has excellent antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. The trick to this lies in adequately diluting the bleach so that it is not as harsh on the skin while maintaining its healing properties.

Directions:

  1. Place the bleach in the tub and run the water.
  2. Soak in it for between 20 and 30 minutes at least once daily.
  3. Dry the affected skin by patting a clean towel gently to ensure that no moisture is left behind as this could easily worsen the infection.
  4. Note the improvements as you go along.

 

8. Garlic Paste:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 5 Cloves of fresh garlic, a pestle and mortar as well as warm water. A pinch of salt (optional).
 Difficulty: Easy

 

Garlic is not only a popular kitchen condiment, it is also one of the most effective remedies for an array of skin infections, most notably the fungal kind. The cloves contain allicin, a potent anti-fungal that provides great relief from the infection. The paste obtained from the garlic cloves also helps reduce the intensity of itching and pain on the affected skin. Aside from the characteristic pungent smell (which you can easily manage by washing your hands with citrus juice), this is a must-have home remedy if you get frequent infections.

Directions:

  1. Peel the cloves and wash well before chopping in small pieces.
  2. Using a pestle and mortar, crush the cloves until you get a consistent paste.
  3. You may add a pinch of salt to help you pound the cloves with ease.
  4. Once you have a consistent paste, scoop some of it and apply on the infected skin.
  5. Let the paste remain on the skin for a couple of minutes as you massage gently.
  6. Rinse the paste off with warm water.
  7. Use this remedy at least twice daily until the infection clears.

 

9. Onion Juice:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 1 Medium-sized onion, a knife, a clean piece of cloth, cotton wool and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Onions have excellent anti-fungal properties which make it just the ideal home remedy for the management of jock itch. By eliminating the fungi present on the affected skin, the onion juice effectively heals you of the infection while providing much-needed relief from the discomfort of the same. Since onion and garlic belong to the same family, it is easy to see why both are recommended in treating the infection.

Directions:

  1. Peel the onion and wash it under running water.
  2. Chop the onion into small pieces and wrap using the clean piece of cloth.
  3. Tug at opposite ends of the cloth in order to squeeze the juice out of the onions.
  4. Collect the juice in a shallow bowl.
  5. Dip the cotton wool in the onion juice and dab it on the affected skin.
  6. Let the onion juice dry on its own before rinsing off after about half an hour.
  7. Dry the skin completely to get rid of any moisture in which the fungi thrives.
  8. Use this remedy twice daily for improved results and quick relief.

 

10. Raw Honey:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 2 Tablespoons of raw honey, warm water to rinse and a dry clean towel.
Difficulty: Easy

 

If you are looking for a remedy that is as soothing as it is effective in managing jock itch, look no further than the use of raw honey. Honey is a potent antimicrobial and anti-fungal, which is what makes it ideal for the treatment of this fungal infection. The honey is also gentle on the skin, and has the added benefit of cleaning the skin by unclogging any blocked pores.

Directions:

  1. Scoop some of the honey and apply it on the affected skin.
  2. Massage the honey before leaving it on for about half an hour.
  3. Rinse off with warm water and dry thoroughly using the clean towel.
  4. Repeat this procedure at least twice daily, and preferably one of the two times should be around bedtime for the best results.

 

In addition to these handy home remedies, you need to remember that at the core of a thriving fungal population is a rich and constant supply of starchy carbohydrate foods. Fungi feed on this and multiply sharply, resulting in intense itchiness. By eliminating these foods, at least for the period you have the infection, goes a long way in starving the fungi and speeding up the healing process. Instead, stock up on fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. Another simple measure that you can take while treating jock itch naturally is to avoid scratching. As much as that seems to provide relief, this relief is only temporal. While at it, ensure that you personal hygiene and cleanliness, especially in the groin area. Lastly, take some time to rest to allow your body recover well.