Ringworm in the groin: symptoms, causes and treatment

Ringworm is a fungal skin infection, mainly Ringworm of the legbeing very common in the groin, as it is an area that accumulates heat and humidity more easily.

This situation occurs mainly in men, although it can also occur in women, being common in people who play sports, who sweat a lot, obese people or people with decompensated diabetes, as these are situations that facilitate the proliferation of fungi in the folds of the skin.

To treat this infection, your general practitioner or dermatologist may recommend an antifungal ointment, such as Miconazole, Ketoconazole, Clotrimazole or Terbinafine. However, home treatments are recommended to facilitate recovery and prevent recontamination, such as using talcum powder on wet lesions, drying yourself well after bathing, not wearing tight clothing and never wearing wet underwear.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of groin mycosis are:

• Reddish or brownish spot in the groin;
• Peeling at the spot;
• Itching in the groin;
• Appearance of bubbles at the edge of the stain.

These symptoms can also appear on the inner thighs, genitals and buttocks, in addition to the groin. Furthermore, if the symptoms are accompanied by intense secretion, wounds or a foul smell, it may be ringworm due to Candida. Know how to identify and treat skin candidiasis.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of mycosis in the groin is made by the dermatologist initially by evaluating the symptoms presented by the person. Furthermore, to confirm the diagnosis and the fungus responsible for the infection, the doctor can perform a scraping of the region, which must be analyzed in the laboratory.

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Causes of groin ringworm

The main fungi that cause groin mycosis are:

• Ringworm of the leg;
• Candida sp.;
• Fungi of the genus Epidermophyton;
• Fungi of the genus Microsporum.

These fungi can be naturally found on the skin, especially on hairless skin, without causing any signs or symptoms. However, some factors can favor its development and result in uncomfortable symptoms, the main ones being:

• Wearing tight underwear;
• Excessive sweating;
• Poor personal hygiene;
• Wearing wet underwear for a long time.

Furthermore, people with a greater chance of developing this infection are obese people, as they have deeper folds, athletes, who are frequently in contact with sweat and humidity, as well as uncontrolled diabetics, who have a greater chance of developing infections and greater difficulties. in healing.

How the treatment is carried out

The main options that can be used to treat groin mycosis include:

1. Ointments

The main form of treatment to end groin mycosis is the use of antifungal ointments, such as Terbinafine, Miconazole, Imidazole, Clotrimazole, Fluconazole or Ketoconazole, for example.

These medications can also come in the form of a cream, lotion or spray, to facilitate application to the affected area, according to each person’s needs, and should be used for 3 to 4 weeks, or as recommended by the doctor.

2. Medicines

In addition to ointments, there is also the option of antifungal tablets, such as Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Fluconazole or Terbinafine, which are only recommended by the doctor in cases of very large lesions or when there is no improvement after correct use of the ointments for 1 to 4 weeks. .

3. Home treatment

Home treatment for ringworm consists of measures that can be used in conjunction with the treatment advised by a doctor, never replacing it, as they prevent or help recover from the infection more quickly. It consists of:

• Use talcum powderwhether or not they contain antifungals, to help dry out oozing lesions and reduce skin friction;
• Don’t wear very tight clothes or that cause friction of the affected skin;
• Avoid heat and humidity;
• Wash the affected area with garlic tea solutionmany times a day;
• Make compresses with chamomile tea solutionabout 3 times a day, if the infection has moisture;
• Do not wear wet underwear;
• Change clothes daily and whenever you take a shower;
• Dry yourself well with a towel after bathingand don’t share towels.

Furthermore, if there are animals in the house, it is important to observe them, as they must also be treated if they have ringworm, to avoid reinfection.