By following these 5 simple steps, a person with HIV can help to prevent common skin illnesses. Other skin illnesses must be treated with medicines prescribed by a doctor. It is important to see a doctor if a skin illness becomes painful or gets worse over time. Tinea cruris and tinea pedis Tinea cruris and tinea pedis are commonly called jock itch and athlete's foot. They are caused by tiny organisms called fungi.
Jock itch affects the groin area, and athlete's foot affects the feet.
Athlete's foot can turn white in color. Sometimes, the patches smell bad. Both illnesses are irritating and uncomfortable. Medicines called antifungal creams can be used to treat these diseases. Antifungal creams can be bought without a prescription in a pharmacy.