If you have itchy, red skin in your crotch area, it might be genital psoriasis. Or it could be jock itch. While the two conditions can look a lot alike, there are differences between them.
Genital Psoriasis or Jock Itch?
A big difference between genital psoriasis and jock itch is the cause.
Psoriasis is a skin condition that can affect any of the skin on your body, including on or around your genitals (inverse psoriasis) or on your penis (penile psoriasis). When you have psoriasis, your immune system goes into overdrive, causing inflammation and fast growth of skin cells. Instead of shedding the way they normally do, new skin cells build up on your skin and form lesions or sores. This is a lifelong disease.
Psoriasis isn’t contagious. It can run in your family. It’s usually triggered by:
- Stress
- Illness
- Skin injury
- Certain medications
Jock itch, on the other hand, is a common treatable skin infection. A fungus known as ringworm causes this itchy rash on your groin.
Unlike psoriasis, jock itch is contagious. You can get it through skin-to-skin contact, infected clothing, and damp towels.
Athletes often get it because it grows well in moist conditions, such as public showers and locker rooms. It often happens when warm, moist skin is trapped in tight clothes.
Genital Psoriasis vs. Jock Itch Symptoms
Psoriasis appears as small, round plaques or smooth, tight-looking skin. These abnormal patches are sometimes discolored — red on light skin and purple, gray, or dark brown on dark skin.
You may have other symptoms, including:
- Dry or moist skin, depending on the area affected
- Cracked, itchy skin
- Bleeding
- Pain
You can get psoriasis on your:
- Penis
- Scrotum
- Anus
- Buttocks
- Creases between your thigh and genital area
- Upper thighs
It can develop on your penis whether it’s circumcised or not. You may notice small, red patches on the tip of your penis or the shaft.
You might also have psoriasis on other parts of your body. Genital psoriasis may look less scaly but feel sore and itchy.
Jock itch, on the other hand, is usually red and scaly. It’s often very itchy or painful. It may peel or ooze fluid. The edges may be scaly, raised, or red. Or they might have bumps that look like blisters.
The edges often look different from the center. The middle may be reddish-brown. Sometimes, the middle clears up, while the edges spread out in a ring-like pattern.
Jock itch often spreads fast. You may get it on your:
- Groin
- Inner thighs
- Skin folds
- Buttocks and the crease of your buttocks
It’s rare on the scrotum or penis. It can spread to other places, such as your armpits. You may also have athlete’s foot.
Inverse psoriasis vs. jock itch rash
Inverse psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that affects moist areas where your skin rubs together, such as the armpits, belly button, below your breasts, and groin.
Rather than typical scaly plaque psoriasis patches, inverse psoriasis is a smooth, shiny, discolored rash. Discoloration depends on your skin tone and is either red, brown, or purple. These areas may itch and crack.
Jock itch only affects the groin, inner thighs, and gluteal cleft (or butt crack). Unlike inverse psoriasis, jock itch is scaly and may develop bumps or blisters.
Both inverse psoriasis and jock itch may feel irritated and itchy.
Genital Psoriasis vs. Jock Itch Treatment
Jock itch is often easy to treat. It can clear up in a couple of weeks if you keep it dry and apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion, powder, or spray. These may contain ingredients such as clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, or tolnaftate. But it doesn't normally go away on its own, so you should ask your doctor about treating it.
If that doesn’t work, your doctor can give you a prescription for an antifungal treatment. This can include pills, creams, and ointments — or a combination of them. Prescription medicines used to treat jock itch include econazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, oxiconazole, and terbinafine.
If you also have athlete’s foot, treat that, too. Otherwise, it can trigger a return of jock itch. Jock itch often comes back, so it’s best to stay on top of it.
Genital psoriasis is often harder to treat than jock itch. The skin in this area of the body is sensitive and thin, so you may need to treat the psoriasis there differently than how you treat it on other parts of your body. Your doctor will work with you to find the right treatment to relieve itching, burning, and pain and clear up your psoriasis.
Your doctor may recommend a treatment to put on your skin, such as:
- A corticosteroid that may or may not include calcitriol ointment or may include a stronger corticosteroid for a short period
- Mild coal tar
- Calcipotriene cream or other topical vitamin D
- Pimecrolimus cream
- Tacrolimus ointment
Or they may give you a prescription for stronger medication, such as a biologic like ixekizumab, cyclosporine, or methotrexate. Your doctor might also recommend phototherapy, in which your skin is exposed to ultraviolet light.
Genital Psoriasis vs. Jock Itch Prevention
Taking good care of your skin can prevent jock itch and genital psoriasis.
To avoid jock itch:
- Keep your body and genital area clean and dry.
- Wear loose clothes.
- Wash your clothes and towels often.
- Shower right after you exercise.
- Dry off completely after you shower.
- Don’t leave sweaty, damp clothes in a gym bag.
- Don’t share your clothes or towels with others.
- Clean exercise equipment before you use it.
- Wear flip-flops or sandals in public shower areas.
To avoid genital psoriasis flare-ups:
- Use mild, fragrance-free, non-irritating cleansers.
- Moisturize after you shower or take a bath.
- Wear loose clothes.
- Use high-quality, gentle toilet paper.
- Keep urine and feces away from irritated skin.
- Eat a high-fiber diet to maintain regular and smooth bowel movements.
Takeaways
Genital psoriasis and jock itch are skin conditions that affect the skin on and around the groin. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that’s not contagious, while jock itch is caused by a contagious fungal infection. Both conditions cause dry itchy patches of skin, but the rashes look different. Treatment differs, too. Contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis and prescription or at-home treatment recommendations.
Genital Psoriasis vs. Jock Itch FAQs
What lifestyle changes can help manage or prevent genital psoriasis and jock itch?
There isn't a way to prevent genital psoriasis, as it's caused by an autoimmune disorder. Instead, focus on symptom management by taking your medications as instructed. Jock itch, on the other hand, is preventable. It's important to keep your groin as clean and dry as possible to manage symptoms of both skin conditions. Dry your groin after swimming and showering, and consider using a moisture-absorbing product such as talcum or antifungal powder. Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear, wash your clothes well after wearing them, and avoid sharing towels or clothes with others.
What foods should you avoid if you have psoriasis or jock itch?
There is no connection between what you eat and jock itch or psoriasis. However, if you have psoriasis, alcohol may lead to flare-ups. So, consider drinking less alcohol or quitting it entirely to lower your risk.
Is genital psoriasis contagious like jock itch?
No. Genital psoriasis is caused by an autoimmune condition that can’t spread from person to person. However, the fungus that causes jock itch is contagious.
