Gym rats, watch out for Jock Itch

One really needs to take off one’s hat to gym rats, those incredibly dedicated guys who spend hours in the gym honing their physiques while many of us choose to sit on the couch and exercise by picking up and pressing the TV remote or the computer mouse. While some gym enthusiasts may exaggerate, their attention to physical health, and presumably penile health, is admirable. So for all those who make the gym their second home, as well as those who are less consistent in their gym visits, the following tips and information on jock itch should help keep your groins healthier.

An itch by any other name

Jock itch is medically known as tinea cruris, and is a close relative of athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). Just like athlete’s foot, jock itch is a fungal infection, which means the culprit that starts it all is a fungus.

For those whose memory of high school science is failing them, a fungus is one of a group of organisms that range from small like mold and yeast to larger life forms like mushrooms. Many fungi occur naturally in small numbers in the human body without any problems. But when they are produced in excess, they can become an infection, and that’s what happens with jock itch. The fungus overgrows, creating a very itchy rash that is usually circular in shape, red, and sometimes raised and crusty. Jock itch can appear on the penis, balls, buttocks, thighs, or anywhere in the pubic area in general.

The fungus that causes jock itch, like all fungi, loves damp, dark spaces. This is the ideal environment in which to grow. And the crotch is a dark and humid place, which usually gets even more humid due to the sweat accumulated during the gym workout.

Prevention

Jock itch is by no means a serious penile health problem, but man, can it be annoying? Often the itchiness associated with the condition can be intense and it can be embarrassing to get caught scratching your gear. Also, if you scratch too hard and/or too often, the rash can become infected, and that’s not good. Therefore, it is essential to keep jock itch away and treat it if it appears.

The fungus spreads by contact, often from skin to skin, but also from surfaces or cloth to bare skin. The gym is fertile ground for the fungus to grow. The training floor is full of hot, sweaty bodies, and the locker rooms, showers, and saunas tend to be hot and humid, and full of naked men. Therefore, the potential to spread jock itch (or athlete’s foot) is obvious. Follow these simple rules to reduce your risk of getting jock itch.

– Clean the equipment before using it. Since (hopefully) people are clothed on the gym floor, there’s less chance of spreading the fungus, but it can seep through sweaty shorts, so clean gear regularly.

– Be selfish. Sharing is usually good, but there is a limit. Never wear another man’s socks, underwear, or athletics, and if you borrow gym shorts, make sure they’re clean. Always use fresh, clean towels instead of borrowing the ones your friend has been using.

– Use protection. In this case, that means not sitting bare-bottomed on the locker room bench or in the sauna; put a towel in its place. Wear flip flops or similar footwear in the shower or steam room instead of going barefoot. (If a man has athlete’s foot, it can spread, for example, by fungus touching underwear while putting it on, and develop into jock itch. So shoes help a man avoid athlete’s foot and possible subsequent jock itch).

Gym goers want to avoid more than just jock itch, of course, and a top oil for penis health. (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe on the skin) helps keep the penis healthy. Look for an oil with moisturizers like shea butter and vitamin E, which can help soothe itchiness associated with the fungus. And it should also contain vitamin D3, which has proven benefits in fighting disease and supporting healthy cell function.