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.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Gene (Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada) on 10/28/2007
★★★★★
Daily application of rubbing alcohol has prevented jock itch in my case for 20 years when in the previous 25 years nothing else had worked.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Ben (Bellevue, KY) on 05/04/2009
★☆☆☆☆
I have used rubbing alcohol for a month and nothing went away. The only thing the alcohol did was make me in more pain every morning when I woke up and had been scratching at it in my sleep.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Coach (Philly, Usa) on 12/25/2011
★★★★★
I was using steroid cream to get rid of jock itch, and while that worked, after a couple years of doing this I noticed stretch marks at the very top of my thigh. So I stopped using the steroid. Then I tried every anti-fungal cream, powder, and spray that I could find but nothing worked. In the shower, I was scrubbing the area with diluted bleach and then leaving the rag there for no less than 2 minutes every day. That did not work. Rubbing alcohol worked like a charm for me. I pour some on a makeup removal cotton pad, swab both sides of my groin, and then leave the pad on the problem side, wedged there till I get through my morning routine. I remove the pad and then put baby powder all over before putting my jockies on.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Tinea-be-gone (Detroit, Mi) on 04/25/2012
★★★★★
After dealing with jock itch for 1.5 years, I have to give the rubbing alcohol remedy a big YEA. Here is my story detailing everything I tried along the way, perhaps it will benefit others that are afflicted with this fungus.
By the time I relized I had jock itch (tinea cruris) I was about 2 months in and had a pretty bad case by then. I puchased some anti fungal cream as recommended @ $10 per ounce at the drug store.
Anti fungal cream :::
Don't waste your money. After about 3-4 weeks of faithful application twice daily I thought the problem was cured, but 2-3 weeks later the infection was back with a vengance. After repeating this cyle for 3 more tubes of cream I realized that the cream was merely keeping the infection "at bay" and not killing the fungus off. My mindset was, kill the fungus, problem solved.. I read many posts that merely address the symtom, they say I used X and the problem (itching) went away. I can tell you it doesn't work that way. I figured if I killed the root of the problem (the fungus) I would be cured and back to normal. Not so, in my experience..... I now believe there is no "cure", only prevention.
BORAX :::
After giving up on the anti-fungal cream I came across earth-clinic and decided to give something else a try. Borax WAS effective however I found it difficult to administer I used it for about 3 weeks. The day after the first application I noticed what looked like red spider veins further down my thighs on both sides in what was virgin skin.... The fungi were actually running away from the borax.... A good sign!!! The best way I found to apply the borax solution was just to wet down the crotch and anal area, but then you have to wear wet shorts after... I imagine some type of small tub that you could sit and soak in may have worked but I didn't get that far. The blistering and oozing of the skin continued during the borax treatments but things were getting better. I began using rubbing alcohol as well.... borax before bed and alcohol during the day and thats when things really started to improve.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) :::
The Apple Cider Vinegar burned my skin .... After about 2-3 days I quit that.... Skin was very sore and tender to the touch ( 1st degree burns )
Rubbing Alcohol :::
The holy grail..... Easy to apply, odorless, evaporates..... Yes, there was quite a bit of stinging for the first couple weeks, but now my skin is healed. I have not had any eruptions (blistering / oozing) for over 4 weeks now I have been wiping down using a cotton cosmetic pad 1-2 times per day.
Conclusion :::
Per Mayo Clinic "Jock itch is caused by fungi called dermatophytes. These microscopic organisms are normal inhabitants of your skin, and their growth stays in check as long as your skin is clean and dry. But on some areas of the body where skin is more likely to be moist and warm, such as the groin, the fungi grow and thrive, resulting in a fungal infection. "
I stated earlier there is no cure... So what caused this infection in the first place? since these fungi normally exist on our bodies. The only logical explanation is that the immune system can not deal with it for some reason (perhaps weakened due to age) Therefore the only logical way to deal with these "normal" fungi is to kill them off in the moist areas where they thrive. Rubbing alcohol is the easiest simplest and cheapest way to do that.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Ang (Chicago, Illinois) on 05/29/2012
★★★★★
I read this earlier today, took a shower, air dried, took a couple of cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol, wiped the affected area & then placed it on it for a few minutes, i let dry, then i put baby powder to keep fresh & dry, i looked at it abt 2 hours later & guess what? its practically gone! i'm going to continue to practice this routine till its completely gone! i had also used listerine but alcohol showed immediate results!
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Golfer (Charlotte, Nc) on 08/16/2012
Thank you for the tip - I was pleasantly surprised!! After 2x daily application, I have amazing relief. I add baby powder for additional relief. I would highly recommend this cheap but very effective therapy - thus enormous value. Give it a try - I was suspect at first but the results have been great.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Miko (Cebu City) on 09/02/2012
what type of rubbing alcohol to use ethyl or isopropyl? i've been battling this jock itch for about 3 years now... Nothing really works what to give rubbing alcohol a try.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Itchy (Boston, Ma) on 09/10/2012
★★★★★
I too have had rot for a few days and had been using creams and spray but it wouldn't go away. I tried the rubbing alcohol and while it stings like a b---ch the first time you put it on, I have to say it worked wonders overnight. Thanks Earth Clininc!
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Louwrence (Rustenburg, North West, South Africa) on 09/20/2012
Hi Wine guy, Rubbing your own urine on cures it within a day & costs you nothing.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Shams (La, US) on 05/19/2014
★★★★★
I tried everything listed plus probotics, garlic, candida cleanse, avoiding sugar, coconut oil - absolutely nothing works against this fungus. Who knew jock itch is indestructable? Good God, someone contact the Pentagon! Well I'll now give this a go. If no luck, then I'm on to Grape seed extract. Manuka oil from New Zealand is in the line up after that...
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Prag (Delhi) on 01/25/2018
Which type of alcohol?
EC: Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol. A common dilution is 70%. This is only for topical use.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Dennis (Connecticut) on 03/10/2018
Hey I agree I just started yesterday and already have seen improvement, hopefully I'm not speaking too soon
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Paranoi17 (Glendale Heights , Il) on 08/21/2009
so i have a question..... i used tea tree oil to get rid of jock itch but i noticed that it dried out the infected area. is that normal? if so, how long does it took for you get rid of your jock itch? please reply fast this thing is killing me...
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Dr G (Victor Harbour, Australia) on 11/17/2012
Try using eucalyptus oil, won't burn, but will dry skin a bit and takes 1-2 days to work and very cheap. It is completely safe to use this product.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Nolson (Kasson, Mn) on 06/06/2013
After treating skin infected for jock itch using tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, and/or isopropryl alcohol, then spray the crotch area of your under garments with diluted hydrogen peroxide 35 and soak in vinegar prior to washing them to get rid of the fungus in the clothing.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Trudyg (Waynesboro, Va, Usa) on 06/06/2013
Read my post on Oxine. They put it under tonail fungus, but this stuff says it kills fungi, mold, bacteria, virus--just about everything. You could mix up some of this to run your contaminated clothing thru, that would kill anything on the clothing and not harm the fabric as bleach does. It says its 200 times as powerful as bleach as a disinfectant. http://www.prohealthmicrobials.com/Oxine103S.jpg is a list of what it kills and the kill rate.
Vitamins and Turmeric
Posted by Robert (Honolulu, Hawaii) on 04/14/2007
★★★★★
Was having numerous outbreaks of boils last year. It started after neglecting a bout of heat rash which turned in to a jock itch, then the boils started coming. My stress level was high and felt my immune system getting low due to long hours at work and little sleep and poor nutrition. Was looking for info on boils and came across this site and turmeric. Had some turmeric in the spice cabinet and tried some. Could tell it was doing something because of feeling flushed after a few minutes. Liked it so much started to use it in capsule form. Did not get any boils since then. It's been since December. Also joint pain in my finger has greatly diminished. Started taking my vitamins and supplements again and after a couple of months started feeling normal again. Also,two days after starting on my vitamins and turmeric, my jock disappeared never to return so far. And I used about five cans of the Jock Itch Spray during a couple months trying to get rid of it. But still have a little problem with a planter wart on my heel. Due to long hours standing, seemed to turn the heel a little discolored. Looked around for info on heel getting discolored but have not found anything. Been soaking it in a Tea Tree Oil bath with a little improvement. Also been using tea tree oil as a shampoo and been noticing new hair growth on my head after a few days. Good product. Thanks Ted for all the great info you share with everyone. Mahalo from Hawaii
Vitamins and Turmeric
Posted by Yeastman (Poway, Ca, Usa) on 01/27/2012
Took 2 pills of 100mg of Lactobacillus acidophilus pills daily. Did not prevent reoccurrence of jock itch symptoms.
Vitamins and Turmeric
Posted by Ep (Reno, Nv, Us) on 07/24/2012
All of these well intended cures are pretty much the equivalent of urban legends. That said, out of desperation I've still tried them
all. Most don't work; perhaps because people and the symptoms can be so different. You may or may not have crotch rot: It could be something different.
Without making you read all of this, I'll get to the point first: I have used a combination of rubbing alcohol 2-3 times a day and Gold Bond Friction Defense. That combination (after trying everything else) worked. Symptoms reduced in 1-2 days. All symptoms gone inside of 3 days. My guess is that the alcohol simply super dries the area and breaks down fungus if present. The Gold Bond removes the friction component which for my money is why some get close but don't quite cure this.
What I learned in the process:
Keep your crotch dry and clean. Change underwear every day and often during symptoms. Change your towel every day. Try to be aware of what is going on as this condition crops up: track your underwear-you may be latex allergic, there may be stitches that rub you wrong or your underwear may simply be too tight; rubbing you continually- You have to de-stress the area .
Know where you are in the continuum of this (i. e. If you are in a full blown infection, you need to see a Dr. If it is just starting, fix it early. If you're near the end, be more gentle with the treatment as you need your skin to recover-you don't want to nuke your skin.)
Make sure to track and treat athletes foot also (alcohol helps this a great deal too, but use anti fungal also). Make sure not to cross contaminate yourself (i. E. If you have athletes foot, don't touch that area and then touch your crotch or vice versa). Dry yourself in one direction-top of head down. Don't go back up after you've touched areas. Wear only cotton underwear that fits you properly.
This stuff is a nightmare when it gets out of control but it is typically not serious and the treament can be simple and effective. Be careful to not go crazy and injure yourself in tyring to get rid of this. Use good sense. Hope this helps.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Sally (Washington, USA) on 04/12/2007
★★★★★
Well, let's see if I can describe this without being too unladylike. I had some kind of terrible itching "down there" which I think first started out as the result of an abrasion that wasn't healing properly, and then got worse because of a reaction to the ultra cheap toilet paper at work. This was getting worse over the course of several weeks.
I got some relief from colloidal silver applied topically. I did that for a couple of days and it was helping. Then I mixed some colloidal silver and some tea tree oil with some aloe vera gel, and applied that, it was way too strong, but even though it had a warm sensation and I wanted to rinse most of it off right away it gave immediate and lasting relief from the itching. The next day I took some of the too-strong mixture and diluted it in some unscented lotion (Nature's Gate brand, very mild). I have been using that for a couple of days after showering and it is amazing how effective it is. No more itching and everything is healing nicely. Worked great. Hope this helps someone, I sure love this web site, trying to tell others about it too. Thanks!
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Peter (Sydney, Australia) on 04/16/2012
★★★★☆
Tea Tree Oil does not cure my jock itch. However it does provide relief from the itch for about 4 hours. It's great if the itch wakes me in the night and it settles down the itch so I can sleep without scratching. How degrading is this? Why haven't the (expletive deleted) health professionals found a cure for such a seeming simple problem? The specialist I went to had no (expletive deleted) idea.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Ben (Bellevue, KY) on 05/04/2009
Are you people kidding me diluting the peroxide, it doesnt work anyways but diluting it would only make it not powerful and for using it as mouth wash my grandfather has been doing it for 30 years and he does not dilute it. This is folly, Avoid listening to these.
