Tinea cruris is a very common superficial skin infection caused by a fungus. Those ever-present TV commercials are evidence of just how widespread this rash is.
The fungus tends to grow in a warm, moist, sweaty environment such as that found in the groin, buttocks, and upper thighs. The pubic area may also be involved.
The rash tends to spare the scrotal area and penis. If these areas are involved, other conditions such as psoriasis or eczema should be considered.
Tinea cruris
It's seen mostly in men and teenage boys but is not unusual in women.
The fungus that causes tinea cruris is not very contagious, and the likelihood of its spread between sexual partners appears to be very small.
The infection may also be associated with an unpleasant odor.
Redness, scaling, and sometimes cracking (“fissures”) of the skin may be apparent.
Topical antifungal over-the-counter medications such as Nizoral, Lamisil, Lotrimin, Micatin, and Tinactin are usually very effective.
If necessary, a prescription topical antifungal medication such as _______________ may be given to you by your health care provider.
Wetness, oozing, or cracking of the skin may be soothed and dried by using Burow's solution, which can be obtained without a prescription. Burow's solution is applied as wet compresses for 10 minutes twice a day until the oozing stops.
The topical antifungal is applied after soaking with Burow's solution. Systemic (oral) antifungal therapy may be necessary in cases that do not respond to topical therapy or for extensive chronic recurrent tinea cruris.