The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Borax
Posted by Kathi (New Brunswick, Nj) on 02/21/2016
★★★★★
Yea for borax! I get occasional jock itch, for me it is associated with exercise/sweating and then not changing soon enough. After reading all of the Earth Clinic suggestions I tried this one and it works wonderfully to control the problem: apply straight borax powder to the affected area. I now keep a small spice jar with borax in my bathroom and use when needed.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 06/24/2015 2043 posts
M: Welcome back. All the great dietary suggestions you have made here must have been helpful to some folks, although I think such a radical departure from the standard diet is too much for one step. Slowly incorporating the nutrition dense foods you suggest may prove a more viable option.
Anyway, I wonder why you advise abstaining from MMS as a topical antibiotic? If you have any negative reports from this use please post them as the particular info is better than opinion.
Speaking of info, Hulda Clark strongly advises against Isopropyl Alcohol as it is a toxic solvent that is not easily detoxified by the body and provides a home for parasites to establish themselves. People with liver disease or impaired detox would be high risk for this possibility. So, the safest alcohol would be something like "Everclear" grain alcohol or Vodka from liquor store. Adding some liquid extract of Eucalyptus to alcohol makes for a superior antiseptic.
Coconut Oil, Borax
Posted by Bob Just A Little Old Winemaker (Memphis) on 09/30/2013
★★★★★
I'm just trying to get back here and place my vote for the remedy to jock itch. Turns out that rubbing a little coconut oil into the affected area and just a pinch or so of borax granules hit the spot. Quite literally.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by John (Hawaii) on 08/20/2013
★★★★★
Rubbing Alcohol to get rid of jock itch: I tried all the creams and sprays out there including the most popular jock itch remedies and even other home remedies I read about.
Then I tried the really easy to find and inexpensive 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, and the itch went away in a matter of days and has never returned.
I experienced a two unexpected benefits too. One is it keeps you smelling fresh, even after sweating for hours and hours in a hot climate. I am now using it as deodorant too.
The other is I thought I had an anal fissure as I had pain and bleeding with each bowel movement. Apparently the rubbing alcohol applied to that area cleared that up to. Now I have no blood ever, and just slight discomfort sometimes.
If you have an itchy anal area it might be jock itch and the rubbing alcohol will get rid of it there too.
Regarding the safety of using it I read about tests where they applied hand sanitizer which is 60% alcohol 30 times per hour throughout the day and found almost no trace of it in the blood. This test was done because nurses use a lot of it throughout the day. Hand Sanitizer is like Rubbing Alcohol with some things thrown in to make it smell fresh and not dry out the skin.
I figure if they tested 30 times per hour and I was only applying it twice per day I was OK.
Regarding dry skin it is not drying out my skin, but I do live in a hot, moist climate.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Bill (Arkansas) on 07/10/2013
★★★★★
For Jock Itch, I used 70% Rubbing Alcohol several times the first two days, basically every couple of hours or so. Amazing results! The cotton rounds is the best way to apply. Just soak one and swab the entire area well. It does burn but subsides pretty quick, of course depending in your level of irritation. Now I follow this routine every day with Gold Bond or similar menthol medicated powder included.
Lemon
Posted by Jaya (Chennai, Tamilnadu And India) on 03/01/2013
Lemon for jock itch: apply plain lemon juice without adding water. 2 days u get complete cure.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by PayItForward (PNW) on 09/12/2024 60 posts
When it comes to ingesting, always dilute apple cider vinegar in water or some other liquid before drinking. Otherwise, the acidity can harm your tooth enamel or burn the tissues of your throat. Try 1oz in 8oz of water.
Probably the biggest mistakes made when consuming ACV is drinking it straight and not diluting it, not brushing their teeth (or if you can't brush at least rinsing their mouth) immediately after drinking it, and consuming it in quantities that are too large.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Greta (AL, US) on 01/21/2015
I agree with you regarding the use of antibiotics and then, years later, getting yeast/fungus problems. I have had diarrhea since kindergarten--as long as I can remember. Prior to K, I had chronic sore throat/cough and had lots of penicillin. Then I had my tonsils out, so even more penicillin. The next fall, I started kindergarten and my lifetime of D. Now, in my 50s, I'm finally getting under control thru dedicated use of acv, coconut oil, probiotics and careful eating. I warn everyone I know about this problem, but they pooh-pooh me.
Garlic
Posted by Shruti (Nagpur, Maharshtra/india) on 01/18/2012
★★★★★
Friends... Being a female.. I can tell u... Jock itch becomes more problematic.. As the monthly periods add more to the already worse condition of jock itch... It developed as a ringworm in my groin area... Later developed into big rashes.. Itching like hell... Suffered atleast for 4 full days.. Applied antifungal creams... No use.. Was hopeful that it will go by 6th day at least... But no.. It did'nt go... Out of frustration took 4 cloves of GARLIC. (had read in some website.. Garlic to be antifungal). Made a paste... Did not mix anything in the paste... Applied directly on the area of rashes.. It burned like hell... But I was ready to go thru any sort of pain to get rid of it... You won't believe... The itching is gone just in one application.. And hope that another one or two application will set me free... GARLIC REALLY WORKS...
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jim (Deaborn Hts, Michigan) on 09/16/2011
★★★★★
This has probably been covered but will add my opinion. I had jock itch for years, gets pretty unconfortable during the summer. Tried using commercial stuff and alcohol but would be back next day. Then used one treatment of apple cider vinegar and it is gone. I wouldn't have believed it if anyone had told me but my own experience made me a believer. Try it.
Deodorant
Posted by Thomas (Windsor, Vermont) on 08/10/2012
★★★★★
Used some basic unscented deodorant spray ($3) in my groin area today on top of my antifungal cream. Wow, what a difference! My groin stayed dry all day (it's really really humid) and all through my workout. Yesterday I itched and sweat like crazy... Today, no itch at all. Amazing.
Deodorant
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, TN) on 06/20/2014
Hi, this is rude and crude, but works.
First jockey itch is a fungus. It can come from Candida or the sweat from your fanny. I sweat and learned that if that sweat is absorbed and does not flow into my crotch then I do not have this problem so I daily pack my fanny with tissue. If I do have a problem, then I spray with Dr Tishnors Antiseptic. This formula evolved from a Louisiana doctor during the War Between the States. A great story that saved lots of lives.
I have had poor results using Big Pharma stuff, but I don't like those B______s! , so it may be a mental thing. And yes it burns.
======OLE ROBERT HENRY=====
Deodorant
Posted by Leftyjockey (Canada) on 12/02/2015
★★★★★
I used a basic unscented deodorant, and when it got super dry and itch, I sprayed a vinegar / water 50/50 solution to alleviate the itchiness. After a few months of suffering from this insane jock itch, I'm seeing a difference!
My groin area got very scaly, so I rubbed the skin with anti fungal ointment to scrape off (definitely not by scratching! ) the dead skin. My guess is that it's a direct result from fungus dying off.
I also sprinkled baking soda on my mattress and left it for hours, and after putting on new sheets, the crawling feeling around the groin totally disappeared.
*** I have tried countless over the counter creams, coconut oil, aloe Vera, and nothing really worked.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Petroleum Jelly
Posted by C.c. (San Jose, Ca) on 06/24/2018
★★★★★
I have used heavy petroleum many times.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dan17 (London ) on 02/19/2024
★★★★★
I've had jock itch on and off for years, luckily I've been able to put up with it but recently I noticed it was just not going away. Anyway I diluted some Apple Cider Vinegar with water, about 50/50 and sprayed it on, probably only once a day and a week or two later it's gone! I have also started drinking it so that might have helped too.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Diatomaceous Earth
Posted by Stacy (Missouri) on 04/28/2023
★★★★★
ACV works though painful at first. I apply it straight full strength and let dry and then I make a mixture of ACV and diatomaceous earth food grade, make a paste. Apply it thick, use hair dryer, it will turn white when dry. This will keep all moisture away and dry it out better than any powder and keeps the ACV on it. I tried pills, creams, garlic baths, none works as good as ACV and the paste.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic
Posted by LALIT (Delhi, india) on 09/16/2024 4 posts
Hey Razz, sorry im replying so very late. Well the result was pronounced then but as with all fungal infections it has made a comeback albeit not that big an area as it was earlier. it is indeed stubborn. I will do the same again now. In fact I was searching for my own review (!! ) and read it as I was not sure what concoction I had done then., I think I am gonna leave this mix on my butt crack overnight and report again. Fingers crossed. What an awful parasite this!
DMSO
Posted by IbogaQueen (Cameroon) on 06/01/2022 17 posts
Ok actually I am the original poster (changed name) but I should have waited longer before saying dmso was the cure. It seems the fungus actually adapted to the dmso after a little while.
Currently what I have found works the best is methylene blue. Just a tiny bit spread on the skin. The downside is it makes your skin blue. But it really works fast and works for days before re-application required. Best of all it is not uncomfortable in any way like most other remedies.
I also like to lick a tiny speck of methylene blue for mental benefits.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Db (Michigan) on 06/03/2016
★☆☆☆☆
I have used rubbing alcohol to fend off itching in the groin, but it always caused a lot of pain. I don't know what was different this time -- concentration, something else on my skin (witch hazel?) but the pain was really bad. I tried washing it off in the shower, which helped but didn't eliminate the pain. I put on some healing cream and later tried some baby powder -- don't know if anything made the situation worse, but the pain continued and eventually I noticed signs of burning - the redness remained very bad, there was some blistering, sort of like a sunburn -- dry, crinkly skin that peeled and of course ongoing pain. Wish I knew what made the reaction so bad, but at any rate, before trying this popular remedy I would suggest testing with a small amount.
Lemon Oil
Posted by The Experimentalist (Jerusalem, Palestine) on 03/24/2016
★★★★★
I suffered from jock itch after getting a yeast infection, which happened right after I cured my self from a BV with greek yogurt (it always works for me when I have a BV). Yes, I had a horrible time for almost two months. I could hardly do anything. I finally treated the yeast infection using apple cider vinegar after reading reviews on earth clinic, which worked like magic. However, when I applied diluted apple cider vinegar on my inner thighs, not only did it not work, but it got worse. I don't think the ACV is to blame. I believe this happened because when I rubbed an ACV-soaked cotton on the affected area, some fungus were transferred to the cotton ball, and then when I rubbed it on close-by unaffected areas, the fungus was transferred there, and started multiplying. So I stopped using the ACV, and went on to try other remedies. I went on earth clinic to check for remedies. I didn't have rubbing alcohol at the time, so I tried other treatments, but none of them worked. Some remedies had a soothing effect for a couple of hours but then the itch would come back. I tried coconut oil, tea tree oil, oregano oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, olive oil, ground cayenne pepper, ACV, and Aloe Vera gel, but nothing worked. Then I thought, I have to give rubbing alcohol a try. I can't live like this! So I went to the nearest pharmacy and bought 70% rubbing alcohol, but guess what! Not even the least effect!! I was so hopeless! What kind of fungus is not killed by rubbing alcohol?!
Anyway, next I went to my favorite natural remedies guide for a wide range of ailments. It is published by the Budwig Center. I looked for remedies for jock itch (since it's also caused by yeast), and one of the remedies they suggested is lemon essential oil diluted in a carrier oil, like coconut and almond oils. Luckily, I had both lemon and almond oils at home. I mixed them together in a 50/50 ratio, and used a cotton swab to apply the mixture on my inner thighs. It was amazing! I felt a bit uncomfortable for some minutes because lemon essential oil (and citrus oils in general) burn the skin and must be diluted before use. So I felt a burning sensation for some time, which I thought at first covered on the itchy feeling. But after the burning sensation stopped, I didn't feel itchy at all. I repeated for two more days, and now I am yeast infection-free!! I feel so grateful!
Mouthwash
Posted by Jl (Malaysia) on 06/29/2015
★★★★★
I've been suffering from jock itch for nearly a year. Have tried all kinds of medication. Oral - fluconazole, itraconazole. Cream - miconazole, daktarin, lamisil.. Went away twice but it recurred months later (also probably due to the fact that the doctors didn't tell me to continue the treatment even after the symptoms were gone). Last cream I tried was lamisil. Even with one week application twice a day, itch was still there. I was at my wit's end when I read up about listerine and how it can combat jock itch. Figured I'd give it a try. Poured some onto a cotton ball and applied to the affected area. Stung a lot at first, but I left it on for a few mins and rinsed off with water. Wiped dry and applied baby powder. This is the most relief I've ever had in a long time! I've been almost itch free for two days. Going to continue this for maybe a week and see how it goes.. Probably the high concentration of ethanol (about 20%) in listerine dries the moisture and kills the fungus. It's also antiseptic in nature. Read about many trying isopropyl alcohol which helped too.. but it's toxic if absorbed into the body. Would definitely recommend Listerine!
Diluted Bleach
Posted by RKK (USA) on 05/04/2023
★★★★★
Bleach does work. I got my jock itch from cycling and swimming. Only bleach cured my itch. But if I ride my bike for more than 30 minutes it does return. I wash the area with diluted beach during my shower so it doesnt stay on for very long and it gets washed away in the shower. But this is the only process that gave me permanent relief. None of the other ointments or powders or sprays worked.
Sunlight
Posted by Al (Redland, Fl.) on 01/20/2015
★★★★★
I have cared for my 10 acre fruit orchard here, in SOUTH Fl. for 40 years. Our summer heat is insane with 90% humidity a constant...I have lived drenched in dirt and sweat for decades...The ONE thing that KILLS all your problems is....SUNLIGHT!!! Fought it for years and suffered through many Dr.'s creams and potions...all fail...does this condition persist ANYWHERE the sun don't shine???? Find a quiet spot and a position that allows full exposure to all the areas that are always in the dark and start with short exposure (5 min.) add time till you can take about 30 min...Within about 5 sessions you will have knocked it back...mine has stayed gone for 6 years so far...without further exposure. It's free and it WORKS!
Apple Cider Vinegar, H202, Boric Acid
Posted by Thewind777 (Mesa, Arizona) on 01/19/2015
★★★★★
I have tried just about everything on the planet. It never was red, nor was it visible much (if you spread the ball sack it would look shiny).
Best things which work to completely remove the problem over time:
I found that a combination of things, together, works well. Two that nobody has mentioned that can help: Kyolic Garlic liquid would work well. Apply, then let it dry with a hair drier.
ACV, full-strength, applied three times-per-day which has 3 cloves of garlic cut in half put into the bottle.
35% Hydrogen Peroxide mixed 2 teaspoons of 35% to 15 teaspoons of distilled water. Apply, let it stand a few minutes, blot dry, hair drier, or rub until dry. This makes a solution which is a bit stronger than 3% (about 5%); but doesn't burn you.
WARNING! Always keep 35% in a plastic bag in the fridge. If you were to ever drink it, you would die a horrid death. When you mix it, treat it like it's battery acid. It causes thick white burns that are painful. Mix it over the sink and shake the bottle afterwards, washing off the outside of the bottle and drying it completely.
After it is mixed up, mark it clearly and put the dilution strength on it with a Sharpie Marker. Use it at least three times-per-day.
Alternate with 70% or greater Alcohol. Remember that proof of alcohol is twice the percentage of alcohol in the bottle. So, get 180 proof Jamaican Rum if you can find it.
Dust lightly with Boric Acid. You can find it in the insect killing area because it is used to kill cockroaches. Many are scared of Boric Acid... but they say it isn't much more poisonous than Baking Soda is.
Borax is NOT Baking Soda. It is related to it, but it is not Boric Acid.
Then, after you have thoroughly dried the area... apply 100% lanolin to the area. Lanolin does NOT wash off and stops all oxygen to reaching the fungus. Works better than Vaseline because it just can't be washed off and is thicker than Vaseline.
...
Methods I'd stay away from? NEVER use 35% Hydrogen Peroxide, straight from the bottle (Unless you love chemical burns on your balls).
NEVER use straight Thyme Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Peppermint Oil or Oregano Oil on your private parts, period (unless you LIKE extreme pain, your balls contracting severely from the excruciating pain, with nothing that you do to try and wash it off working and the skin peeling off extremely tender balls for three days as it heals to occur). Even diluted oils of these types is NOT recommended. If you can get rid of the problem with things which don't burn and sting, why use things which burn and sting and give you a third-degree burn on your private parts?
Do these things three times-per-day and alternate treatments. Keep it up for a couple weeks, way past when the itching goes away.
Then, when you go camping, take a small bottle of ACV with you, some powdered boric acid in a tiny ziplock bag (you can get 1" x 1" bags on-line). and take a tiny bit of lanolin with you in another bag.
If you ever go swimming in water holes, this can start up itching quite quickly. After sex, after swimming in any water supply that is not chlorinated, after camping and sleeping in your sleeping bag for hours... Apply the vinegar, let it dry. Put the boric acid on it. Cover with lanolin. Go to sleep. Do it again when you wake up.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Timh (KY) on 09/20/2014 2043 posts
I take 200mcg Chromium 2 or 3 times daily and a combination of Gymnema, Mulberry Leaf, and Cinnamon cap once daily to help burn the sugars. Cinnamon in particular is effective for burning sugar and killing fungus.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Mike (Denver) on 06/23/2015
★★★★★
Please don't use MMS. Google it. Rubbing alcohol works great though.
Garlic
Posted by Don (Southwest, Michigan, Usa) on 06/06/2013
★★★★★
For the last two years I have been bothered with itching armpits and jock itch. I have routinely shaved both areas and kept clean and dry. I tried everything. Clotrimazole 1% knocked it down but never completely out. One evening I had a terrific urge for garlic bread. I made it with olive oil and lots and lots and lots of garlic powder. I ate the whole loaf with scrambled eggs and garlic. The next morning I noticed I didn't itch as badly. For the next few days I ate garlic on everything. Powdered, fresh and frozen cloves. After about 3-4 days my rashes and itching were completely gone. I haven't had a hint of an itch or rash in 8 months. And I eat a lot of garlic. All I can say is it worked for me and I highly recommend trying it. (Freezing Hint - A store went out of business and I bought a large bag of fresh garlic. Tried hanging it but it started molding. I broke the bulbs into cloves filling 4 one-gal. Sealed bags and put in the freezer. That was more than a year ago and they still taste delicious. I take out as many cloves as needed, cut both ends off and the peel falls away. When thawed they are a little mushing and flavor concentrated, but in a stir fry, salad dressing or smoothy who cares)
Lemon
Posted by Fina (Norcross, Ga) on 03/02/2013
We get it, Louwrence - we should use urine to cure any ailment. Coughs, colds, sore holes or pimples on your pecker - use urine. (I'm being silly, not snarky. Couldn't help myself, since week after week, every other post cites urine as a cure, no matter what the ailment.)
Lemon
Posted by Biz (New York) on 09/17/2018
@Fina: Actually urine's main ingredient is ammonia with traces of sulphur. The guy is on to something.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joyce (Tennessee) on 07/30/2024
Some people are writing on here to use a 50/50 solution of ACV with water.
Others are saying to spray ACV on full strength. Whichever works best, I guess
Chlorine
Posted by Michael (GA) on 09/23/2024
Using HP and ACV together will burn your skin especially if it's already irritated and in your sensitive groin area, ask me how I know?? I nearly ripped my own clothes off and started to shower before undressing it burned my skin, don't mix them together and don't use them together I learned the hard way.
Garlic
Posted by Rune (England) on 03/11/2018
Hi, I just tried the direct garlic application, I've suffered jock itch for years, god knows how many at this stage. Also had all the usual over the counter and numerous Doctor visits all giving the same result. The over the counter creams are for me, a complete waste of money. The prescribed creams and even oral pills work for the time you use the plus maybe a few days, then back to square one.
So I mashed up 3 garlic cloves in a desperate bit to even get a little relief, I applied them direct! I won't swear here but, the air was thick with mixed screams and shouted profanities!! Burning like I imagine Hydrochloric Acid would burn! I held out for only 5 minutes. At that point, I ran to the shower. Ice Cold water directed to the area, I stood about 10 minutes washing off the garlic.
This method should have a Government health warning,
I will check back in and leave feedback on the results as they happen.
Do not try this in the vicinity of anyone whatsoever! The screaming tends to scare even Hardiest of Marines!
