Treat jock itch with first-line topical antifungal creams like butenafine (1% cream, twice daily for 2 weeks) or terbinafine (1% cream, once or twice daily for 1–2 weeks). Though labeled for ringworm or athlete’s foot, these agents effectively treat jock itch caused by the same dermatophyte fungus. For widespread or resistant cases, consult a doctor for prescription oral antifungals like terbinafine or itraconazole.
January 15, 2025

Jock Itch: Best Over-the-Counter Treatments Doctors Recommend

Evidence-Based Over-the-Counter Guide

William Shen

William Shen

Co-founder & CPO

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Topical antifungal treatments are the first-line therapy for jock itch, which is most commonly caused by the dermatophyte fungus T. rubrum, which is the same organism that causes ringworm and athlete’s foot. Topical allylamine creams tend to have higher cure rates than other anti-fungals.

First-line recommendations:

  • Butenafine: Allylamine anti-fungal. Apply 1% cream topically twice daily for 2 weeks. Packaging may say ringworm but jock itch is treated with the same antifungal agents. Lotrimin Ultra Ringworm Cream (FDA NDA 21307).

  • Terbinafine: Allylamine anti-fungal. Apply 1% cream topically once or twice daily for 1–2 weeks. Packaging may say athlete’s foot but jock itch is treated with the same antifungal agents. Lamisil Terbinafine Hydrochloride 1% (FDA NDA 21958).

Prescription medications:

For widespread or resistant infections, oral antifungals like terbinafine or itraconazole may be necessary.

Citations:

Ely, J. W., Rosenfeld, S., & Stone, M. S. (2014). Diagnosis and management of tinea infections. American family physician, 90(10), 702-711.

What OTC evidence is reviewed?

  • For each condition, we performed a literature review to find a recent widely cited expert group guideline published in the leading specialty-specific peer-reviewed journal or top general medical journal.

  • Based on the recommendations in the publication, we identify recommended active ingredients and devices that are available over-the-counter per FDA regulations.

What evidence is prioritized?

Levels of evidence considered:

  • Tier 1 (Safe and Definitely Effective): Professional field consensus or multiple randomized controlled clinical trials showing the same conclusion. Wherever possible, we use Tier 1 evidence for "first-line" recommendations.

  • Tier 2 (Safe and Probably Effective): Individual clinical trials which may be discordant or large-scale observational experience. Tier 2 evidence may inform "first-line", "second-line", or "supplement" recommendations.

  • Tier 3 (Safe and Maybe Effective): Mechanistic plausibility without high-quality clinical evidence of efficacy but high-quality evidence of safety. Tier 3 evidence may inform "second-line" or "supplement" recommendations.

How does MDandMe select recommended products?

  • Based on the top clinical recommendation, we evaluate products containing the recommended active agent with FDA-approved dosage based on price, average customer reviews, how often it is purchased, and how quickly it will ship to home. 

  • We provide public documentation of the active ingredients in our recommendations, using all 32 FDA monographs, Prescription-to-Nonprescription (Rx-to-OTC) Switches, as well as New Drug Application (NDA) approvals.

How does MDandMe select recommended devices?

  • Based on the top clinical recommendation, we evaluate devices that are FDA-cleared or comply with other medical guidelines (if not a FDA-regulated category) by reputability, price, and average customer reviews.

  • We provide public documentation of supporting evidence for each device.  

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