Skin Health Fungal, Bacterial & Viral Infections What Are Jock Itch Blisters? By Heather Jones Heather Jones Verywell Health's Facebook Verywell Health's Twitter Heather M. Jones is a freelance writer with a focus on health, parenting, disability, and feminism. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 08, 2023 Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology. He is a clinical professor at the University of Colorado in Denver, and co-founder and practicing dermatologist at the Boulder Valley Center for Dermatology in Colorado. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Contagiousness Rash Duration Treatment Jock Itch vs. Herpes Prevention Jock itch, also known as tinea cruris, is a type of fungal skin infection that causes an itchy, ring-shaped rash sometimes lined with tiny blisters. The rash develops in the moist skin folds of the groin, buttocks, inner thighs, and genitals. Jock itch is treated with topical antifungals and, in severe cases, oral antifungals. Because of its appearance, it is occasionally mistaken for genital herpes. This article describes the symptoms, causes, and treatment of jock itch, and how the condition differs from herpes. MARHARYTA MARKO / Getty Images What Are the Symptoms of Jock Itch? Jock itch is a contagious fungal skin infection similar to ringworm (tinea corporis) and athlete's foot (tinea pedis). The fungus thrives on moist areas of skin, especially in the creases of the groin and buttocks. Once an infection is established, the fungus will cause an itchy skin rash that spreads outward. If left untreated, the rash can spread to the upper thigh and anus, the scrotum in males, and the labia in females. Symptoms of jock itch include: A ring-shaped rash with a well-defined border Reddish or brownish skin discoloration Tiny, weeping blisters around the perimeter of the rash Scaly, peeling, cracking, or flaking skin Itching or burning Tiny skin bumps caused by inflammation of hair follicles Symptoms of jock itch usually appear between four and 14 days after contact with the fungi. Are Jock Itch Blisters Contagious? The fungus that causes jock itch can vary depending on the part of the world you live in. The type most commonly seen in North America is called Trichophyton rubrum. This same fungus can also cause athlete's foot, ringworm, and fungal nail infections. Trichophyton rubrum is highly contagious, The infection is spread by fungal spores that fall from the body on dead skin cells. When the spores land on another person's body, the warmth and moisture in skin folds provide the ideal environment for the fungus to multiply and grow. Jock itch can be spread in the following ways: From person-to-person by skin-to-skin contactContact with contaminated sports clothingShared towels and athletic gear (such as protective cups) You can also infect yourself if you have athlete's foot by touching your toes and then your groin area. Risk factors for jock itch include: Obesity (due to increased skin folds) Living in hot, humid climates Heavy sweating Wearing tight clothing Not changing your underwear frequently Infrequent showering Sharing towels or athletic gear Using public showers or locker rooms Having a weakened immune system How Long Do Jock Itch Blisters Last? If left untreated, jock itch can last for months and cause cracking, bleeding, and pain. It can also spread to the parts of the body, such as the feet or nails, and be even harder to treat. This is especially true with fungal nail infections (tinea unguium). These are notoriously difficult to treat and can persist for years, causing nail disfiguration, cracking, pain, and nail loss. If treated appropriately, jock itch will usually clear within three to four weeks. How Long Is Jock Itch Contagious? How Do You Treat Jock Itch Blisters? Jock itch is commonly treated with topical antifungal drugs. There are applied in a thin layer to the affected skin twice daily (morning and night) for up to eight weeks. There are two classes of antifungals your healthcare provider may prescribe: Allylamine antifungals block an enzyme that the fungus needs to reproduce. The drugs tend to be more expensive but can usually clear the infection quicker. Options include Mentax (butenafine), Naftin (naftifine), and Lamisil (terbinafine).Azole antifungals block compounds used to build the cellular wall of fungi, causing the cell to die. Some of these are available over the counter and are appropriate for milder cases of jock itch. Options include Lotrimin (clotrimazole), Nizoral (ketoconazole), and Micatin (miconazole). Oral antifungals are available for severe cases of jock itch. These include Lamisil (terbinafine) tablets taken once daily for up to six weeks and Sporanox (itraconazole) capsules taken twice daily for a week. Improved hygiene is also crucial to clearing the infection. That means keeping the affected areas clean and dry as part of your daily routine. When to See a Healthcare Provide Jock itch is rarely serious and can often be treated at home. However, it is important to see a healthcare provider if: The rash hasn't responded to home treatment within two weeks. Your symptoms are getting worse. There are signs of infection such as fever, chills, a pus-like discharge, or worsening pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. The 7 Best Toenail Fungus Treatments of 2023 What Are Other Causes of Blisters in the Groin Area? Jock itch is commonly mistaken for genital herpes. Genital herpes can also cause tiny blisters around the inner thigh, buttocks, and anus, but they are ultimately two different infections caused by two different things. Genital Herpes Caused by the herpes simplex virus Mainly affects the genitals Causes clusters of blisters that can merge together Blisters ooze and crust over Characterized by pain Not caused by cleanliness Cannot be cured Treated with antivirals Can also cause swollen lymph nodes and flu-like symptoms Spread mainly through skin-to-contact during sex Jock Itch Caused by a skin fungus Usually occur in skin creases around the groin Blisters may form around the edges of a circular rash Blisters weep without crusting Characterized by itching and burning Can involve poor hygiene Can be cured Treated with antifungals Symptoms localized to the skin Spread through skin-to-skin contact and contaminated towels or sports clothing Skin Conditions That Cause Itch Can You Prevent Jock Itch Blisters? Jock itch is common but can be avoided by taking the following preventive steps: Shower or bathe regularly, particularly after sweating or exercising strenuously.Wash workout clothes, underwear, socks, and towels after each use.Keep the groin, inner thigh, and buttocks area clean and dry.Do not share clothing, sports equipment, or towels with other people.Put on your socks before putting on underwear if you have athlete's foot.Wear footwear in locker rooms and public showers. 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Jock itch. Centers for Disease Control and Protection. Genital herpes — CDC fact sheet. American Academy of Family Physicians. Jock itch. Winchester Hospital. Jock itch. Muth CC. Fungal nail infection. JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617 Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M. Diagnosis and management of tinea infections. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-10. El-Gohary M, van Zuuren EJ, Federowicz A, et al. Topical antifungal treatments for tinea cruris and tinea corporis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Aug 4;(8):CD009992. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009992.pub2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital herpes. MyHealth Alberta. Jock itch: care instructions. By Heather Jones Heather M. Jones is a freelance writer with a strong focus on health, parenting, disability, and feminism. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit