Scientifically known as tinea cruris, the jock itch is a common skin irritation caused by a fungal or bacterial infection. Characterized by itching, redness, dryness, and the appearance of ring-shaped rashes, this skin condition occurs in people who sweat profusely along the groin and inner thighs.
Contrary to its name, it is not just jocks and athletes that can develop this irritating condition. If you have an incessant itch that just might be of the jock variety, be sure to have the best jock itch cream in handy.
Top 10 Jock Itch Creams Comparison Chart
How to Choose the Best Jock Itch Cream
Lots of different treatments for jock itch exist on the market. Most of them are available over-the-counter which makes them accessible to anyone suffering from the condition. The only downside is the sheer number of options makes it far too easy to purchase a product that might not work well for your body, or worse – might aggravate your jock itch.
Be certain to filter your options and purchase nothing but the best jock itch cream by keeping these pointers in mind.
- Active Ingredients. A jock itch is caused by a fungal infection, and for that reason, any remedy should be able to target the fungus to completely resolve the problem and its symptoms. Some of the most common active ingredients found in jock itch creams are:
- Clotrimazole. One of the most common anti-fungal medications on the market, clotrimazole is usually used for infections concerning the mouth, genitals, and all over the skin.
- Miconazole. Works by destroying fungal infection and neutralizing skin conditions to create a hostile environment where fungus will fail to thrive.
- Tea Tree Oil. Some cases of jock itch can be caused by bacterial infection. In such instances, using anti-fungal creams can actually accelerate the development of symptoms. For jock itch that’s caused by bacteria, natural ingredients such as tea tree oil are best to restore proper skin health, moisture, and integrity.
- Honey. Another effective treatment for jock itch caused by bacterial infections, honey can soothe skin for immediate and long-term relief of the symptoms of the infection.
- Natural Alternatives. Medicated creams are often the most effective for resolving jock itch. These products contain ample dosages of chemically-based active ingredients that are tested and developed in labs and clinics for maximum efficacy.
The only problem with these alternatives is that they’re known to generate side-effects on top of the benefits they provide. For instance, some chemical-based jock itch creams can aggravate symptoms before alleviating and resolving them.
For that reason, many individuals have chosen to use natural alternatives which are organic products that combine naturally-derived ingredients for safer use. Although these might take more time to generate positive outcomes, they are much less likely to cause the side-effects and adverse reactions caused by synthetic alternatives.
- Texture and Consistency. Why should it matter if your chosen jock itch cream is watery or thick and pasty? It all lies in the nature of a jock itch.
Being that the condition occurs along the groin and inner thighs where sweating is more exaggerated, any cream that’s the wrong consistency can easily cause an uncomfortable sticky sensation that could throw anyone off.
What’s more, the excess sweat in the region could wipe out the product, necessitating multiple applications every few hours. Generally, thicker balms and creams are much more ideal for longer lasting effects. However, watery formulations can be effective as long as they’re easily absorbed into the skin.
Top 3 Best Jock Itch Cream Reviews
1. Globe Pharmacy Clotrimazole Anti Fungal Cream
Globe Clotrimazole Antifungal Cream is a medicated antifungal cream that contains 1% clotrimazole as its main active ingredient. This product is commonly used to relieve the symptoms associated with jock itch, ringworms, and athlete’s foot which are all caused by the same family of fungi.
Able to immediately provide relief from itching, burning, and irritation, Globe Clotrimazole Antifungal Cream works faster than other formulations in the market. For that reason, it has become the best jock itch cream for people who really want a speedy and reliable solution against the inconvenience of the jock itch.
Aside from being effective, generally safe, and fast-acting, Globe Clotrimazole Antifungal Cream is also very affordable. At just a fraction of the cost of most other creams, this product is definitely a top pick for anyone looking for a reliable and pocket-friendly solution for jock itch.
2. Natureplex Pro-Ex Antifungal Cream
With its extra strong formula, Pro-Ex Antifungal Cream Clotrimazole 1% is the cream you should turn to for more severe cases of jock itch. While it does contain just the same amount of clotrimazole as the previous product, it’s specially formulated with several other inactive ingredients to address more serious cases of jock itch irritation.
However, because the product is rather strong, people with more sensitive skin types might find that it causes some side-effects. Regardless, Pro-Ex Antifungal Cream Clotrimazole 1% is definitely a good choice for someone who wants a product that will provide positive outcomes especially if milder options have previously failed.
3. Miconazole Nitrate 2 % Antifungal Cream
With 2% miconazole nitrate, Miconazole Nitrate 2% Antifungal Cream is another effective option in the anti jock itch product market. The formulation immediately resolves any symptoms associated with the condition for instant relief and comfort.
What sets it aside from the previous options is the fact that this formulation is safe for use on infants and children. Some babies might develop a similar jock itch around the areas where their skin is covered by a diaper, and this cream works well to reduce the irritation without putting your little one at risk of side effects.
The only downside is that it might be necessary to slather on more product compared to other options, making it easier to finish up a tube in a shorter period.