Ringworm and jock itch

What are ringworm and jock itch?

Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes a rash on your skin. This rash is often ring-shaped (hence the name) and itchy.

A common type of ringworm is known as jock itch. This is where the fungal infection affects areas that are responsible for producing a lot of sweat, especially after you’ve been working out. Fungi need warm, moist environments. This is why the warmest, most sweat-prone areas of the body are the most likely areas for a tinea infection (sometimes known as ringworm) to occur.

Who gets ringworm and jock itch?

Fungal infections of any kind can affect a lot of people. However, those that have an impact on the body are more commonly seen in children and young adults. Fungal infections that affect the skin are seen more frequently in women, and those in the groin (jock itch) tend to be more frequent in teenagers and young adult men.¹

There are also some risk factors that can increase the likelihood of you developing fungal infections like ringworm and jock itch.² These include:

• living and working in hot, humid climates or in areas that are prone to high temperatures
• wearing clothing that’s too tight
• obesity
• hyperhidrosis (abnormally excessive sweating)
• having a weakened immune system – this could also lead to severe, resistant or extensive disease

How common are ringworm and jock itch?

Ringworm is a reasonably common infection that affects a large number of people. Anyone is prone to be affected by it but if you have a weakened immune system you could be at an increased risk of infection and might also find it harder to treat. About 10-20% of people are likely to have ringworm in their lifetime.^[3]

What causes ringworm and jock itch?

Ringworm and jock itch are both contagious infections, so they spread when you come into contact with a person or animal that already has the fungus causing them. It’s most easily spread through physical contact, but it can also be spread by sharing objects such as towels, hairbrushes, and bedding.

What are the symptoms of ringworm and jock itch?

The main characteristic symptom of ringworm is the rash. This is usually a ring-like red or silvery colored rash on your skin, which causes your skin to look irritated around the ring, but healthy inside it. Your skin can also become scaly, itchy and inflamed.

There are more severe cases of ringworm in which the rings multiply, grow in size, and then merge together. You might also find that the rings feel slightly raised, and the skin underneath them can become itchy. Some people might also develop blisters and pus-filled sores around the rings.

Jock itch usually appears as red or pink patches (sometimes ring-shaped) in the groin, inner thighs, or buttocks, that cause intense itching or a burning sensation. The skin may have slightly raised edges. It can become flaky, scaly, or cracked. Symptoms tend to get worse when the area is warm or sweaty, for example, after exercise.

Can ringworm or jock itch lead to other problems?

Ringworm and jock itch can sometimes lead to other problems when you scratch the rash, as it can make it spread to other areas of your body. Some people suffer from face and neck ringworm, which might not appear ring-shaped, but starts off itchy and swollen before becoming dry and crusted.

If you have a beard, you may notice patches of your beard hair beginning to break away. Hand ringworm can also develop, which causes the skin around your hand to become thicker on the palm and in between your fingers. It can affect one or both hands, and usually only ever appears on one side.

If you have a weak immune system, both ringworm and jock itch can lead to a secondary infection.