8 Common Types of Rashes

Jock itch, athlete’s foot, ringworm: These all belong to a family of infections known as tinea, involving fungus that thrives in warm, moist areas, such as in the groin, toes, and underarms, according to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

“These warm, dark, moist areas create the perfect environment for fungus to breed,” says Crystal Murray Holmes, DPM, a podiatrist in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and an associate professor at the University of Michigan.

The symptoms depend on where on the body the infection appears, according to MedlinePlus. A red, ring-shaped rash may be — you guessed it — ringworm, while athlete’s foot and jock itch appear as itchy, burning rashes on the skin.

How do you contract it? By coming into contact with an infected person, pet, or surface, per MedlinePlus.

These fungal infections can also be passed through things like shoes and towels, Anthony says. Fungus that causes jock itch, for example, thrives on damp towels and sweaty workout gear, and is easily picked up in a locker room, MedlinePlus says.

Rash Rx

Your best bet for treating fungal infections are antifungal creams and oral medications, according to Cedars-Sinai. Be sure to wash your hands before and after applying the creams to keep the fungus from spreading further.

Cedars-Sinai recommends preventing infection by drying skin folds, feet, and the groin area well and wearing clean, loose-fitting underwear. “Wear socks made of microfiber, which is designed to wick moisture away from the skin,” Holmes says.

Also, use flip-flops in public showers and around pools or other wet spots, and try to rotate through different pairs of shoes to minimize moisture and fungus buildup, advises Johns Hopkins.

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