★★★★★
Anti-Fungal cream from the pharmacy (Daktarin was one of them). This is dreadful, it only exacerbates the problem. As it's a moisturizer, it causes it to flare up and spread. Fungus needs moisture and darkness to thrive, so this is a joke. Pharmaceutical companies can be like snake oil salesmen. 0 out of 10
Natural remedies like Tea Tree Oil, Crushed Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar. These did nothing for me at all. Although I've given them a couple of marks as they're certainly better than pharmaceutical ointments and creams. 3 out of 10
Cardiospermum Halicacabum. I was skeptical when a pharmacist in Spain gave me this, as it had the dreaded "homeopathic" on the label. It's a non-moisturizing pomade with extracts of the cardiospermum plant. This works! I can't find it in Dublin, but you can get it online. Try it if you can get it. It's odourless, non-toxic and cheap. 8 out of 10
Swimming in a chlorinated pool. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the kryptonite for jock rash. Go for a swim, don't shower afterwards. By the next day you'll see that nasty rash dying before your very eyes. I did this last night (after 3 weeks of horrible rashes on my inner thighs) and it's almost gone now. 10 out of 10
Note - If it's a bit stubborn I will have a bleach bath tomorrow, putting half a cup (125ml) of un-perfumed thin household bleach (less than 5% sodium hypochlorite) in a full warm bath. Don't use any other soaps or shampoos or salts in the bleach bath. There's a handy guide on youtube (for treating kids' eczema) with input from a dematologist - check it out.
Apart from that, and to prevent reinfection, eat lots of garlic, avoid beer (booo!!! ) and carbs during flare ups, change your bedsheets regularly and underwear obviously. Put your socks on before your underwear - socks before jocks!
Don't get yourself down about jock rash, just go for a swim!
