Jock itch contagious

Jock itch is a very common fungal infection of the groin and upper thighs. Jock itch is also sometimes called "crack fungus, crotch itch, bag rot or crotch rot. Men and women encounter the disease worldwide, but is seen more often in the humid tropics.

The rash may affect only the groin, but can be extended to include your inner thighs, genitals , and the areas around your anus, rectum, or injury from jock itch can extend from the crease between the inner thigh and pelvis, in the upper inner thigh, and in the anal area. Jock itch occurs almost exclusively in adult men and  sometimes it can accompany athlete's foot and ringworm. The fungus that causes jock itch thrives in warm and moist areas. As it grows, extends in a circle, leaving normal-looking skin in center. This makes it look like a ring. On the edge of the ring, the skin is lifted by the irritation and looks red and scaly. Many people with jock itch have athlete's foot also.

 Athlete's foot is tinea pedis.
Jock itch gets its name because it is common in people who sweat a lot, like athletes. It also often occurs in people who are overweight. Jock itch may be contagious. Some types of fungi live on damp surfaces, like floors in the changing rooms or showers. You can easily pick up a fungus there. That can spread from person to person by direct contact with the skin or contact with unwashed clothing. Jock itch usually stays around the creases in the upper thigh and does not involve the scrotum.

The symptoms of these infections can vary depending on where you are in the body. The most common etiologic agents for tinea cruris include Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum and less common are Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton verrucosum.

The source of the fungus is usually the ground, an animal (usually a cat, dog, or rodent) or most of the time or another person. Staying in a bathing suit greatly increases your chances of acquiring jock itch.
In order to avoid contagious jock itch one should avoid crowd and in this way direct contact of the skin but also one should avoid borrowing clothes.