Brief Answer: Oral+Topical Antifungals Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM. Fungal infection of the groin/jock itch develops due to conducive environment provided by the body folds. Sweating, humidity, obesity are factors that encourage fungal growth. Regarding pigmentation in the groins, it is most likely post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation secondary to recurrent fungal infections which you experienced in the past. Pigmentation would lighten by itself gradually if the fungal infections are not allowed to recur. Since fungal infections can recur again due to favorable condition for fungal growth, therefore you need to use an anti-fungal dusting powder in the folds regularly which will not only keep the area dry and moisture free but in addition to it being an anti-fungal it will help prevent recurrence of fungal infections. -I would normally advice my patients an oral anti-fungal (fluconazole 150mg once every week for 6 weeks). -I also advice in my patients, a topical steroid+antifungal combination cream (clotrimazole+Beclomethasone) twice daily for 4-6 weeks. -An OTC antihistamine like cetrizine once daily in the evening will help you with the itch part -Once my patients are cured(usually 4-6 weeks) i ask them to use an anti-fungal dusting powder (clotrimazole dusting powder) in the folds, so as to prevent recurrence. regards

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