Gym Rats, Beware of Jock Itch

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Gym Rats, Beware of Jock Itch
By John Dugan
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• One really needs to tip ones hat to gym rats,
  those incredibly dedicated guys who spend hours
  at the gym to hone and perfect their physiques
  while so many of us opt instead to sit on the
  couch and exercise by lifting and pressing on the
  TV remote or the computer mouse. While some gym
  enthusiasts may go overboard, their attention to
  physical health and, one assumes, male organ
  health as well is admirable. So for all those
  who make the gym their second home as well as
  for those who are less steady in their gym visits
  the following tips and information concerning
  jock itch should help keep midsections healthier.

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An itch by any other name

• Jock itch is medically known as tinea cruris, and
  its a close relative to the also-familiar
  athletes foot (tinea pedis). Like athletes
  foot, jock itch is a fungal infection, meaning
  that the culprit that starts it all is a fungus.
• For those whose memory of high school science is
  failing them, a fungus is one of a group of
  organisms that range from itty bitty guys like
  mold and yeast to bigger lifeforms, such as
  mushrooms. Many fungi occur naturally in small
  amounts on the human body with no problem. But
  when they overproduce, they can become an
  infection, and thats what happens with jock
  itch. Too much fungus grows, creating a very
  itchy rash that is usually circular in shape,
  red, and sometimes raised and crusty. Jock itch
  can appear on the member, the sacks, the
  buttocks, the thighs, or anywhere in the general
  midsection area.

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• The fungus that results in jock itch, like all
  fungi, loves moist, dark spaces. This is the
  ideal environment in which to grow. And the
  midsection is a moist, dark place usually made
  even moister from sweat accumulated during a gym
  workout.

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Prevention

• Jock itch is by no means a serious male organ
  health issue but man, can it ever be an
  annoying one! Often, the itch associated with the
  condition can be intense, and it can be
  embarrassing to be caught scratching away at
  ones equipment. Besides, if one scratches too
  hard and/or too frequently, the rash can become
  infected, and thats not good. So keeping jock
  itch away, and treating it if it strikes, is
  essential.

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• The fungus is spread through contact, frequently
  skin to skin but also from surfaces or fabrics to
  bare skin. The gym is fertile ground for the
  fungus to grow. The workout floor is filled with
  hot, sweaty bodies, and the locker room, showers,
  and saunas tend to be warm and moist and filled
  with unclothed men. So the potential for
  spreading jock itch (or athletes foot) is
  obvious. Follow these simple rules to reduce the
  risk of acquiring jock itch.

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• Wipe down equipment before using. Because
  (hopefully) people are clothed on the gym floor,
  there is less chance of spreading the fungus, but
  it can seep out from sweaty shorts, so wipe down
  equipment regularly.
• Be selfish. Sharing is usually good, but theres
  a limit. Never wear another guys socks,
  underwear, or jock, and if borrowing gym shorts,
  be sure they are clean. Always use fresh, clean
  towels rather than borrowing one your buddy has
  been using.

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• Use protection. In this case, that means dont
  sit bare-assed on the locker room bench or sauna
  put a towel down instead. Wear flip-flops or
  similar footwear in the shower or steam room
  rather than going barefoot. (If a guy has
  athletes foot, it may spread by the fungus
  touching underwear as it is being put on, for
  example and become jock itch. So footwear helps
  a guy avoid athletes foot and subsequent
  possible jock itch.)

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• Gym aficionados want to avoid more than jock
  itch, of course, and a superior male organ health
  oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man
  Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for
  skin) helps keep the male organ healthy. Look for
  an oil with moisturizers like shea butter and
  vitamin E, which can help soothe the itch
  associated with the fungus. And it should also
  contain vitamin D3, which has proven benefits in
  fighting diseases and supporting healthy cellular
  function.

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