Jock Itch Remedies

Someone told me to go to a local swimming pool, it was winter, so I chose an indoor pool. I swam for a good hour or so and for many years now it has been GONE. Just one time at the pool. I endured all that pain with spraying alcohol for nothing.

I now have what looks like jock itch / ringworm / eczema / psoriasis (one of these if not all) under my eyes. They have the typical round ring under both eyes. It started under just one eye and at first I just thought it was dry skin so I used castor oil and aloe vera gel (using the same finger like a dummy) under both eyes. It spread from one eye to the other. Now both have that same red ring under the eyes and if I scratch when it gets itchy, it'll be inflamed and red again for another day or two. It will then start to flake off and repeat.

I'm gonna go to the Swimming Pool again when they open on Memorial Day 2023 and report back if it clears up these rings under my eyes. I have high hopes.

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!