Swimming Pool for Jock Itch

5 star (1) 
  100%

Cormac (Dublin, Ireland) on 09/25/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

I've suffered from relapses of jock itch (aka ring worm, athlete's foot - it's the same fungal infection) for many years now. Here are the various remedies I've tried over the years with their results.

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!

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