eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Fungal Infections

Tinea Cruris: Follow-up

Author: Michael Wiederkehr, MD, Consulting Staff, Livingston Dermatology Associates; Consulting Staff, Comprehensive Dermatology and Laser Center
Coauthor(s): Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Dec 2, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Repeat scraping or culture may be indicated if initial treatment of tinea cruris is unsuccessful.

Deterrence/Prevention

  • Recurrence of tinea cruris is common; therefore, it is of utmost importance to treat concurrent fungal infections and to keep the groin region dry to prevent recurrence of tinea cruris. Advise patients to dry the area after bathing, using a towel or a hair dryer.
  • Advise patients with tinea cruris to avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing to prevent moisture build-up.
  • Advise patients with tinea cruris who are obese to lose weight.
  • Advise patients to put on socks before undergarments to minimize the possibility of fungal transfer from the feet to the groin.
  • Antifungal powders, which have the added benefit of drying the region, may be helpful in preventing recurrence of tinea cruris.

Complications

  • Tinea cruris can become infected secondarily by candidal or bacterial organisms. In addition, the area can become lichenified and hyperpigmented in the setting of a chronic fungal infection.
  • Mistreatment of tinea cruris with topical steroids can result in exacerbation of the disease. Although patients may note initial relief of symptoms, the infection may spread.

Prognosis

  • The prognosis of tinea cruris is excellent with appropriate diagnosis and treatment; however, recurrence is likely if the groin region is not kept dry.

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to check a patient's medication list for possible drug interactions
  • Failure to monitor blood work, which may be necessary with administration of oral antifungals
 


More on Tinea Cruris

Overview: Tinea Cruris
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Tinea Cruris
Treatment & Medication: Tinea Cruris
Follow-up: Tinea Cruris
Multimedia: Tinea Cruris
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

tinea cruris, tinea inguinalis, groin dermatophytosis, ringworm of the groin, gym itch, eczema marginatum, dhobie itch, jock itch, crotch rot,

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Michael Wiederkehr, MD, Consulting Staff, Livingston Dermatology Associates; Consulting Staff, Comprehensive Dermatology and Laser Center
Michael Wiederkehr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Gregory J Raugi, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington at Seattle; Chief, Dermatology Section, Primary and Specialty Care Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center of Seattle
Gregory J Raugi, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Lester F Libow, MD, Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory
Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Glen H Crawford, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital
Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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