How Does Jock Itch Spread and How to Diagnose It?
The most common and likely way jock itch spreads is through contact with infected surfaces or skin-to-skin contact. Sexual contact with an infected individual might result in the development of jock itch. Sharing clothes or towels with someone who has jock itch might also give you the infection.
If you have an athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), you may occasionally develop jock itch. When you touch your infected foot and then your groin, the fungus can spread. The fungus can also enter your body through your clothes and travel from your feet to your groin. To stop the fungus from moving from your feet to your groin, it’s a good idea to put on your socks before your pants when getting dressed. How is jock itch diagnosed? Usually, your healthcare provider will diagnose jock itch by examining your groin and reviewing symptoms. They will ask you to describe the kind of pain you feel and when it started. Also questions that can help them trace the source of the fungus infection.
There are some tests that will be done to diagnose jock itch. In some cases your healthcare provider may remove a small piece of skin (biopsy) and test it in a lab. Several drops of a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution dissolve the skin cells so that only fungal cells are visible.