Will groin rash go away on its own

12 Signs Its Time to Worry About a Rash in Adults

In most adults, a rash can be mild and resolve on its own. But if you have other symptoms, such as fever, pain, or a rash that spreads, you may need urgent medical care.

Rashes can cause irritation and discomfort. Rashes in very visible places such as your hands or face might even cause embarrassment. Fortunately, most rashes are mild and not a cause for concern. You can generally treat a rash with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies.

However, there are rashes that a medical professional should look at. These rashes might be a sign of an infection, allergic reaction, or disease. You can read 12 common signs a rash might be a sign of something more serious below.

An area on your skin that is itchy, irritated, and swollen is called a rash. A rash can be raised, bumpy, blistered, or patchy.

Rashes can present differently depending on your skin tone. People with lighter skin often see rashes that are pink, red, or purple. People with darker skin might develop rashes that are white, gray, or darker than the surrounding skin.

Rashes can be caused by many things including:

• underlying health conditions
• stress
• sun exposure
• allergic reactions
• weather

Rashes are very common. Many types of rash are mild and can be treated with OTC medications. For example, contact dermatitis is a rash you get when your skin touches something that causes it to become itchy and irritated.

If youve ever gotten a rash from a new laundry detergent, lotion, or soap, your rash was likely contact dermatitis. A contact dermatitis rash will be inflamed and itchy. It will generally be contained to the part of your skin that touched the irritant.

Avoiding the item in the future and using an OTC anti-itch cream is normally enough to treat contact dermatitis.

Other common rashes in adults include:

• Hives. Often caused by an allergic reaction to medications, foods, or beverages, hives appear as raised, itchy, splotches and often spread rapidly.
• Shingles. Caused by the same virus that is responsible for chicken pox, shingles is often painful forming patches of skin with bumps that blister and itch. Anyone who has ever had chicken pox is at risk of developing shingles.
• Chronic rashes. Conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can cause chronic rashes that can flare when triggered. A dermatologist can help you manage these conditions.

Sometimes, a rash is a sign something serious is going on with your body. Its a good idea to keep an eye on any rash you develop and watch for these signs. Seek medical care if any of them develop.

1. You have a fever

A fever is a key sign that rash should be looked at by a doctor. It could be a sign of an allergic reaction. A fever along with your rash could also indicate an infection such as:

2. The rash is spreading

A rash that is spreading is another sign its time to seek medical care. A rash that is spreading quickly might be a medical emergency. Its best to go to an urgent care center or the emergency room if your rash is spreading rapidly.

If your rash is spreading slower but is spreading over your body, its still a good idea to get it looked at. It might be a warning that your rash is caused by an allergic reaction or an infection.

3. The rash area hurts

A painful rash should be looked at by a medical professional. It could be infected or a sign of conditions such as shingles.

Its best to also keep an eye on any rash that isnt painful but that is tender when you press on it. This could be a sign of infection, and youll want to have it checked out if it doesnt resolve after a day or so.

4. The rash came on suddenly

A rash that comes suddenly may be an allergic reaction to a medication. Sometimes, a rash can develop in the first few weeks after you start a new medication. Let a medical provider know about this side effect as soon as possible.

Its important to be careful when a rash is caused by an allergic reaction to mediation. This kind of reaction can lead to difficulty breathing and may become a medical emergency.

5. The rash is beginning to blister

Sometimes rashes caused by sun exposure or poison ivy can blister. These rashes generally heal on their own in most cases.

However, unless youre sure your rash was caused by the sun or poison ivy, any rash that blisters should be looked at by a doctor. It could be a sign that your rash is a severe allergic reaction to a medication or caused by an autoimmune condition called pemphigus vulgaris.

6. You see signs of infection in the rash

Rashes damage the surface of your skin. This can make it easy for infections to develop, especially if you scratch the rash area. An infected rash should be looked at by a medical professional. Signs a rash is infected:

• pain
• warmth
• swelling
• crusting over of rash bumps
• yellow discharge
• green discharge
• a bad smell

7. You have difficulty breathing

This is a medical emergency. Call 911 or seek care right away. A rash and difficulty breathing can be signs of a serious allergic reaction. This might happen when you eat or drink something youre allergic to.

8. The rash looks like large purple patches

A rash that looks like large purple patches or dark bruises can be a sign of a serious condition. It could be a warning sign of an infection spreading throughout your body or of a blood clotting problem. It could also indicate a condition called vasculitis that causes your blood vessels to become inflamed.

A medical professional can determine whats causing this rash and start treatment.

9. Bruises are forming in or around the rash

A rash with bruising or swelling around it might have been caused by an insect bite. Its a good idea to seek medical care if you notice this symptom. The bruises and swelling are a warning that that poison from the bite could be cutting off blood flow to the area.

10. The rash is in a circle shape

A circular-shaped rash could indicate Lyme disease. Caused by ticks, Lyme disease normally causes a rash that resembles a bulls-eye and symptoms similar to the flu. Antibiotics are the primary treatment for Lyme disease, so youll need to visit a medical provider for a diagnosis and prescription.

11. Youve had the rash for longer than a week

A rash that persists for more than a week is worth getting looked at by a medical professional. There might be a reason your body is having trouble healing the rash. Plus, even if your rash is mild, a medical professional can give you tips to treat it at home.

12. The rash is causing you discomfort or concern

Its a good idea to get any rash that is causing you to feel significant discomfort or concern checked out by a dermatologist or other healthcare professional. While it might be simple contact dermatitis, its still a good idea to consult a doctor.

Rashes are a common skin condition. Most rashes are temporary and clear up on their own. However, a rash can be a sign of something more serious.

Allergic reactions, infections, autoimmune conditions, and more can also cause rashes that need to be seen by a medical professional.

Rashes that occur along with trouble breathing, fever, lightheadedness, or nausea, are a medical emergency.

What Makes Jock Itch Resistant, and How to Treat It

Some practices can make jock itch worse or prevent it from healing. But other health conditions may resemble jock itch and require different treatment options.

Jock itch happens when a specific species of fungus builds up on the skin, growing out of control and causing inflammation. Its also called tinea cruris.

Common symptoms of jock itch include:

Most cases of jock itch are mild and easily treated.

But there are some activities and treatments that can make jock itch symptoms last longer. Lets dive into what can make jock itch worse, how to tell jock itch apart from other similar conditions, and how to successfully treat jock itch.

There are a few things you might do that unintentionally make your jock itch worse. Here are some examples:

• Working out. This can cause the infected skin to chafe against nearby skin or with clothing and irritate it, making the skin more susceptible to a worsening infection.
• Having poor hygiene habits. Using improperly cleaned, damp towels or clothing, and not keeping skin dry may promote infection.
• Using the wrong treatment. Spreading an anti-itch cream, such as hydrocortisone, on the infected area wont treat the infection it can actually worsen it. This can increase the area of the infection or make the infection worse.
• Having a weakened immune system. Taking immunosuppressants for autoimmune disorders or having a weakened immune system from medication or conditions like HIV can make it harder for your body to fight off fungal infections.

Some conditions look like jock itch, but they arent, so they wont respond to typical tinea cruris treatment.

Inverse psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis is a type of psoriasis, an autoimmune condition, that may have a genetic basis.

Like jock itch, it tends to appear in the same areas where you skin chafes, like your groin or inner thighs. Some common treatments for inverse psoriasis include:

Yeast infection (thrush)

Yeast infections are a similar type of fungal infection caused by the fungus Candida.

Theyre more common in people with vulvas, but they can also affect the penis from the head and shaft to the scrotum and the nearby groin skin.

Common treatments for yeast infections include:

• antifungal topicals like nystatin or clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
• oral antifungal medications, for more severe cases

With early and proper treatment, jock itch should go away within about a month.

Here are some signs that your jock itch is going away:

• rash or redness begins to fade away
• skin regains its usual color
• symptoms like itchiness or irritation start to subside

Got an especially severe or resistant case of groin itching? Heres what you should do if over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatments dont work.

Take antifungal medication

A doctor may prescribe medication for severe jock itch. Here are some of the options:

• oral medications like fluconazole (Diflucan) or itraconazole (Sporanox)
• topicals like oxiconazole (Oxistat) or econazole (Ecoza)

Use an antifungal shampoo

Medicated shampoos that contain ketoconazole or selenium sulfide are a good, strong treatment for jock itch symptoms. Theyre available by prescription from your doctor or over the counter.

They dont typically have side effects, and OTC versions are easy to buy at most drugstores.

See a doctor if youve used OTC treatments but havent seen any improvements in your symptoms after 2 weeks.

A doctor may be able to prescribe you a medication that can help, or they can evaluate you for another type of skin disorder that can mimic jock itch.

Here are some tips for preventing jock itch:

• Wash your hands regularly. This is especially important when you touch other people or are about to eat with your hands.
• Keep the moist areas of your body clean and dry. This is especially important for areas around your groin and upper thighs.
• Bathe at least once a day. Make sure to use gentle, unscented soap and dry off completely before putting clothes on. Bathe more than once a day if youre active or sweat profusely throughout the day.
• Dont wear tight clothing. It can trap moisture and cause skin to chafe.
• Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear. Itll let your groin and thighs ventilate, especially if you live in a humid climate.
• Wash your workout clothes or any equipment your body touches after a sweaty workout.
• Have athletes foot? Dont use the same towel on your feet and other areas of your body. Athletes foot and jock itch are both caused by tinea fungi and can spread to one another. Treating athletes foot is important for preventing jock itch.

Jock itch is typically easy to treat, but it can often come back.

Practice healthy hygiene habits to help prevent jock itch. Treat it early with OTC topicals when you first notice symptoms. If it doesnt go away after a few weeks, see a doctor.

6 Ringworm Treatments

You can typically get rid of a ringworm infection permanently with over-the-counter antifungal treatments. Certain cleaning practices at home may also help speed recovery.

A ringworm rash can be uncomfortable, but it is common and treatable. Early intervention is critical to prevent the spreading of the infection to others.

Here are six simple ways to treat ringworm.

Most cases of ringworm can be treated at home. Over-the-counter antifungals can kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex), and terbinafine (Lamisil).

After cleaning the rash, apply a thin layer of antifungal medication to the affected area twice a day or as the package directs. Spread the treatment beyond the border of the rash by a couple of centimeters and allow the medication to absorb into your skin.

It may seem logical to keep ringworm covered with a bandage to prevent the spreading of the infection. However, bandaging the rash locks in moisture and slows the healing process.

Its important to keep the area dry, so wear comfortable, breathable clothes to speed healing and avoid spreading the rash to other people. This includes loose-fitting, long-sleeve shirts and pants.

Because ringworm is highly contagious, you should wash your clothes and sheets daily to eliminate the infection faster. Fungal spores can transfer to your sheets and comforter. If you sleep on the same sheets night after night, it can take longer for ringworm to heal, and the infection can spread to other parts of your body. Contaminated bedding can also infect your partner.

Use hot water and detergent when washing bedding and any infected clothes. Hot water alone can kill the fungus. As an extra precaution, add borax or bleach to your wash along with regular laundry detergent.

Borax and bleach can be purchased from a grocery store, and they also kill fungal spores. Follow the directions on the package.

If ringworm develops on your feet or groin area, keep these areas dry.

If you sweat a lot during the day, bathe with an antifungal cleansing bar and then reapply your antifungal powder or lotion. Make sure the area is completely dry before putting on a new pair of underwear or socks.

Sometimes, ringworm develops on the scalp. Symptoms of a scalp infection include severe itching, patches of hair loss, scalp boils, and severe dandruff. If you have ringworm on your scalp, wash your hair with an over-the-counter medicated antifungal shampoo.

These shampoos kill bacteria and fungi on the scalp and stop inflammation. You can purchase them from a grocery store or drugstore. Look for shampoos with antifungal active ingredients, such as ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and pyrithione zinc. Use shampoos according to the directions on the package.

However, be aware that scalp fungus is nearly impossible to eliminate without oral medications.

Continue treatment with an antifungal powder, cream, or shampoo until the rash disappears. The infection may return if you stop treatment too soon.

See a doctor if the rash doesnt disappear after two weeks of home treatment. A ringworm infection that doesnt improve or that spreads may require a prescription-strength topical cream or oral antifungal medication.

Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or see a dermatologist. Take the prescription medication as directed by your doctor. You may have to take the prescription for weeks to months, depending on the severity of the infection.

What kills ringworm quickly?

Over-the-counter antifungals should treat ringworm. It should go away in about two weeks. If not, see your doctor.

Will ringworm go away on its own?

Its possible for ringworm to go away on its own, but this could take a long time, so youre better off getting treatment. Learn more about how long ringworm stays contagious.

What kills ringworm on the skin?

Typically you need to use an antifungal cream to kill ringworm on the skin.

Dont ignore ringworm. Although its a common skin infection, quick action is necessary to prevent the fungus from spreading. You should also make sure you know how to prevent future infections. For example:

• Dont share personal care items, such as towels, clothes, and brushes, with others.
• Wash your hands often.
• Learn how to recognize ringworm in people and animals.