Home treatment for jock itch

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Home treatment for jock itch

Most ringworm infections of the skin, such as jock itch, can be treated at home with creams and powders you can buy without a prescription. However, any persistent, severe, or recurrent infections should be evaluated by a health professional.

Wash the rash with soap and water, remove any pieces of dried skin, and spread an antifungal cream over the rash. Apply the cream beyond the edge of the rash.
Use an antifungal cream or powder containing miconazole or clotrimazole that you can buy without a prescription. Brand names include Micatin, Monistat, and Lotrimin. Terbinafine cream (Lamisil) is also available without a prescription. Follow the directions on the package, and don't stop using the medication just because your symptoms go away. If symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks, call your health professional.
For ringworm of the skin that has large areas of blisterlike sores, compresses (such as Burow's compress, which you can buy without a prescription) may be used to soothe and dry out the blisters. After the skin is dried out, nonprescription antifungal creams may be used.

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Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
Last Updated	March 29, 2007

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Last updated:	March 29, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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