Q: I am a 34 years old male with skin irritation and itching above thighs, near the groin. For the last two months, I have been using Quadriderm but in vain. Please suggest something.

A:You probably have a condition called Tinea cruris. It is also known as

• Jock itch
• ringworm of the groin
• groin infection

Tinea cruris is an infection of the groin caused by a fungus. Not all groin rashes are Tinea cruris, only those caused by fungus growing on the skin.

Tinea Cruris can be triggered by ongoing friction from clothes along with ongoing wetness around the groin area, which could result for example from playing a high intensity sport and then remaining in wet sporting attire for an extended period.

Tinea cruris quite often recurs after apparently successful treatment. To reduce the chance of reinfection:

• Treat the feet if Tinea pedis is present.
• Dry the groin carefully after bathing using a separate towel.
• Do not share towels, sheets or personal clothing.
• Avoid wearing occlusive or synthetic clothing.
• If you are overweight, try to lose weight to reduce chafing and sweating.

Symptoms include:

• Itching in groin, thigh skin folds, or anus.
• Red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply-defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center. This may create the appearance of a ring.
• Abnormally dark or light skin.

Treatment is as follows

• Tinea cruris usually clears up quickly when antifungal medicines are applied twice daily to the skin. If it doesn't, you may need two to three weeks of treatment with the antifungal antibiotic, griseofulvin, taken by mouth.
• You can help prevent recurrences by drying thoroughly after bathing, wearing loose cotton underwear, and dusting a bland powder such as baby powder on your groin once or twice daily.
• Tinea cruris is only one cause of groin itching. If your rash does not improve, please return for further evaluation.
• Keep your own towel when you have a fungal skin infection to reduce the chance of passing on the fungus to others.
• Dry the groin carefully after bathing using a separate towel.