Yes, the fungus that causes jock itch (tinea cruris) can live on sheets and other surfaces, potentially surviving for months or even over a year if not washed, which can lead to reinfection or spreading the fungus to others. To prevent this, wash bedding, towels, and clothing in hot water with detergent and consider adding a disinfectant like Lysol to the wash cycle to kill the fungal spores.
Until your jock itch is cured, wear loose-fitting clothing. Avoid tight underwear, pants, and tights. Wash your exercise clothes after every wearing. Do not share clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets to avoid spreading the fungi to other people.
The fungus that causes jock itch can live on objects for several months or longer. If you've been treated but reuse something that still has fungus on it — like towels or clothing — you could reinfect yourself. So, it's important to wash clothing, underwear, and towels after every use.
The ringworm fungus can live on surfaces for months. Disinfectant sprays like Lysol® or bleach can remove the fungus. Wash clothes, sheets and towels in hot water and detergent to prevent ringworm from spreading.
The fungal spores that cause jock itch are very resilient. They can survive for months on your skin or on contaminated items before they get transmitted. The fungus grows best in the warm, moist places, such as the area around your groin.
Yes. Jock itch can spread from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments. It can also spread to other areas of the body if someone touches the affected area and touches other body parts. Jock itch often spreads from a fungal infection on the feet, known as athlete's foot.
Wash Your Clothes Correctly for Jock Itch Prevention
Use delicate laundry soaps to wash your clothes. Before washing your clothes in the machine, make sure that any bleach or stain removers have been washed off. Wash towels and bed linens every 3-5 uses with hot water in the washing machine to wash away fungal spores.
More persistent cases of jock itch can call for a prescription for topical medications, including oxiconazole or econazole, or an oral medication, such as fluconazole or itraconazole. If you haven't had success with topicals, ask your health care provider if an oral treatment might be the next step.
Heat (above 110°F) is also effective at killing ringworm spores. This means that clothing does not necessarily need to be washed with bleach, as long as it can be dried on high heat.
Avoid skin-to-skin contact, including intimate or sexual contact, with anyone with known or suspected ringworm. Avoid sharing personal items such as bedding, towels and clothing until the rash resolves.
Dry on a high temperature: Using the hottest setting the fabric will allow and drying items to completion can ensure that the fungus is dead.
Keep your skin dry as much as possible to allow it to heal. Until your jock itch is cured, wear loose-fitting cotton clothing.
Jock itch (tinea cruris) can be mistaken for other groin rashes like Inverse Psoriasis, which looks smooth/shiny vs. jock itch's potential ring, Yeast Infections, similar fungal issues, Erythrasma (bacterial), Contact Dermatitis, or even Heat Rash or Eczema, as they share itchiness and redness in warm, moist skin folds, but have different underlying causes (fungal vs. autoimmune vs. bacterial vs. allergy) requiring distinct treatments.
Look beneath the surface and you may be horrified to learn that your bed linen is host to millions of bacteria, fungi, mites and viruses. Each of them thinks that your bed is heaven too; a warm place that they can grow in, full of sweat, saliva, dead skin cells and food particles to feast on.
Bedding and Towels
Wash Regularly: Change sheets and towels at least weekly; more often if you sweat a lot at night. Use Hot Water: Washing in hot water can kill fungi that may cling to fabric. Avoid Reusing Damp Towels: Fungi thrive in dampness, so allow towels to dry completely after each use.
Sleep in the nude or in a nightshirt. Don't share towels or clothes that have come in contact with the rash.
There are a variety of popular antifungal laundry detergents on the market, including detergents from brands such as Clorox, OxiClean, and Purex.
However, let's talk see how quickly Lysol for athlete's foot can kill fungus on different surfaces: For hard, non-porous surfaces, Lysol kills 99.9% of bacteria and fungi within 10 to 15 minutes after application.
The fungal spores can live in the environment for a long time and can be found in carpets, bedding, grooming equipment, etc and can infect an animal when it comes into contact with them.
No, jock itch (tinea cruris) is not classified as a traditional STD/STI, but it's a contagious fungal infection that thrives in warm, moist areas and can spread through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity, or by sharing infected items like towels. While it's not a virus or bacteria spread via bodily fluids like most STIs, its transmission via intimate contact makes it easily confused with STDs, though jock itch is treatable with antifungal creams.
You may get an itchy rash on your inner thighs and rear end (buttocks). It spreads and starts to itch when you sweat or are in steamy showers or locker rooms. Jock itch should clear up if you keep your skin dry after you clean it.
What is the strongest natural antifungal? Many natural remedies boast antifungal properties, but tea tree oil often takes the crown as the most potent. Its effectiveness against a broad spectrum of fungi makes it a popular choice for treating various skin infections.
That's too bad about the ringworm! To disinfect white or safely bleachable colored laundry, wash in the hottest water recommended on the care label using detergent and 3/4 cup Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach.
Shower or bathe daily and after you exercise. Keep your skin dry as much as possible to allow it to heal. Until your jock itch is cured, wear loose-fitting clothing. Avoid tight underwear, pants, and tights.
Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, making it an extremely effective treatment for a fungal infection like jock's itch. Dilute the liquid with water – usually one part apple cider vinegar, three parts water – and apply topically to the affected area.