Jock itch and other fungal skin infections often occur temporarily as a side effect of taking antibiotics. Normally the balance between harmless skin bacteria and tinea prevents the fungus from multiplying extensively. Antibiotics can greatly reduce the number of bacteria, providing a situation in which the funguses can spread and become more dense. Jock itch caused by this mechanism usually clears up when antibiotic use has ceased and the skin bacteria return. Males in whom it develops need not be concerned that it is one of the sexually transmitted diseases.
Jock itch develops without any sexual contact whatever.
Girls and women should similarly be careful to differentiate a case of jock itch from vaginitis . Treatment Most cases of jock itch clear up by themselves. Cures can be speeded in mild cases by keeping the crotch area cool, dry, and clean, and by wearing loose clothing so that air can get to the affected area more easily. Traditionally the most common treatment was to apply powders that helped keep the affected region dry. These are all applied directly to portions of skin inflamed by jock itch.