How to treat itchy skin in the groin area

The most common cause of itchy skin in the groin area is a fungal infection of the skin (medically called inguinal thrush); however, it is also a symptom of a bacterial infection (such as staphylococcus). It usually occurs in the groin, inner thighs or buttocks, because these areas are usually moist and under clothing close to the skin. Moist skin is a favorable environment for fungi and bacteria to multiply. Fortunately, most cases can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications. You can also see your doctor for a stronger prescription for moderate to severe cases that last more than 2 weeks.

Table of Contents

Treat itchy skin in the groin area at home

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Identify the symptoms of the disease. The groin, inner thighs, and buttocks are the areas most commonly affected, as these areas are prone to moisture that allows bacteria and fungi to spread. Although most cases of groin itching can be treated at home, it is still a good idea to see your doctor for a formal diagnosis and tests to determine the cause (fungal or bacterial) as this factor can determine the severity of the problem. determine treatment. Symptoms often include: ^{[1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Itchy, red, or scaly circular or semicircular
Burning feeling
Pain (usually occurs in cases of bacterial infection)
Blisters around the rash

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Wash the itchy skin 2-3 times a day with an antifungal shower gel. Keeping the area clean can help prevent the spread of fungi or bacteria that cause symptoms. Wash 2-3 times daily with antifungal body wash during treatment.

You can buy antifungal body wash without a prescription. Some options include ketoconazpe (Nizoral) ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source} or selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue). ^{[3] X Trusted Source Cleveland Clinic Go to Source} Many shampoos are advertised as effective against dandruff. Tinea capitis is a common cause of dandruff, so these shampoos also have antifungal formulations. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Keep skin dry. Humidity creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi that cause itching in the groin area. Dry the area thoroughly after each wash, and don’t forget to dry off sweat throughout the day. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Harvard Medical Schop Go to Source} Change clothes immediately after exercise and wash before wearing again to prevent illness.

Loose cotton underwear can reduce perspiration and help perspiration dry faster.
Change towels daily during the healing period and do not share towels with others.
You can use baby powder like Gpd Bond to keep your skin dry.

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Apply antifungal cream. Many over-the-counter antifungal creams work to treat inguinal fungus. Apply the cream after each wash and dry the skin, making sure to apply the cream too much outside the edge of the rash. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Choose products that contain terbinafine, miconazpe, or clotrimazpe. Brands with these active ingredients include Lamisil, Lotrimin, Micatin, and Monistat. ^{[7] X Research Source} Always use as directed on specific product labels and contact a physician if symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks.
You can also apply a zinc oxide cream on top of other products. It will protect the skin from irritation and dampness. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after each time you apply the cream or each time you touch the itchy skin.

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Avoid letting harsh chemicals come into contact with itchy skin. Laundry soap, bleach, and even fabric softener in clothes can cause irritation and make symptoms worse. Try to avoid skin contact with these products and any other harsh chemicals during treatment.

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Use aluminum salt solution. Aluminum salt solutions such as 10% aluminum chloride or aluminum acetate are antiperspirant because they create blockages on the sweat glands. Here’s how to use it: ^{[9] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source}

Mix 1 part aluminum salt with 20 parts water. Apply this solution on the itchy skin and leave it on for 6-8 hours. It is best applied at night because this is when the sweat glands are least active. Rinse off the solution when you feel you start to sweat again. Repeat this treatment until the affected area begins to dry and begins to heal.

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Apply medicated gauze to the blisters. Tinea capitis is the cause of most cases of groin itching and occasionally causes blistering patches of skin. You can treat this condition at home with medicated gauze, such as Burow’s Spution. This will help dry up the blisters and make them less uncomfortable, after which you can continue to apply the antifungal cream.

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Treat foot fungus. If inguinal fungus occurs at the same time as tinea pedis, the fungus on the feet is very easy to spread back to the skin of the groin when you slip your feet through while wearing pants. You need to treat the fungus in two areas of the skin at the same time to prevent re-infection of the groin area. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Try other therapies. If you prefer folk remedies, you also have many other therapies. You can:

Dip a gauze or towel in diluted white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) and apply to the skin twice a day. Pat the skin dry when removing the gauze, but do not rub vigorously to avoid scaling on the skin.
Pour 1/4 cup bleach (such as Clorox) into a full bath and soak daily or every other day in mild cases. Remember to pat your skin dry when you get out of the bath.
Apply 0.6% ajoene gel. Ajoene is a garlic extract that has natural antifungal compounds. You can apply it twice a day for 2 weeks. ^{[11] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Go see a doctor for treatment

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See your doctor if your condition does not improve within 2 weeks. If home remedies don’t work after 2 weeks, you probably need to take a stronger antifungal prescription, or you have a bacterial infection, not a yeast infection. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in this case.

The doctor will usually use a cotton swab to take a sample of the itchy skin and send it to a culture lab. This test will help your doctor determine if your case is caused by a fungal infection or a bacterial infection (usually staphylococcus). ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Ask your doctor about prescription antifungal medications. If you’ve been diagnosed with a fungal skin infection but over-the-counter medications don’t work for 2 weeks (or longer), your doctor will usually prescribe a stronger antifungal medication. Options include: ^{[13] X Andrews MD Research Source , Burns M. Common tinea infections in children. Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(10):1415-1420.}^{[14] X Research Source Kelly BP. Superficial fungal infections. Pediatr Rev. 2012;33(4):e22-37.}

Oxiconazpe 1% (Oxistat)
Econozpe 1% (Spectazpe)
Sulconazpe 1% (Exelderm)
Ciclopirox 0.77% (Loprox)
Naftifine 2% cream
Note that econazpe, sulconazpe, ciclopirox, and naftifine are not for use in children. Side effects of the drug include a burning sensation, redness, skin irritation, and a stinging sensation.

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Ask about oral antifungal medications. If you have recurrent thrush or you are immunocompromised (such as in people with HIV), your doctor may prescribe stronger oral antifungal medications. These drugs include: ^{[15] X Research Source Gupta AK, Chaudhry M, Elewski B. Tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea nigra, and piedra. Dermatp Clin. 2003;21(3):395-400.}

Griseofulvin 250 mg orally twice a day until cured
Terbinafine 250 mg/day for 2-4 weeks
Itraconazpe 200 mg/day for 1 week
Fluconazpe 150 – 300 mg/week for 2-4 weeks
Ketoconazpe 200 mg/day for 4-8 weeks
Note that these drugs are not intended for use by children and pregnant women. Common side effects of the drug include liver damage, dizziness, seizures, nausea, and vomiting. When prescribing medication, doctors will usually have to periodically monitor a patient’s liver function.

Advice

See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks.
Avoid sharing towels, as the microorganisms that cause itchy skin in the groin can be easily spread this way. ^{[16] X Research Sources Gupta AK, Chaudhry M, Elewski B. Tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea nigra, and piedra. Dermatp Clin. 2003;21(3):395-400.}

Steps

Treat itchy skin in the groin area at home

Go see a doctor for treatment

Advice

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