tinea cruris

Definition

Known informally as: jock itch and ring worm , a superficial fungal infection in the groin area characterized by development of well marginated erythematous half-moon shaped plaques in the crural folds which spread to the upper thighs; caused by a group of three fungi known as dermatophytes (or ringworm fungi): a) microsporum (Microsporum canis), b) trichophyton (Trichophyton rubrum; T. interdigitale; T. verrucosum; T. tonsurans; T. mentagrophytes), c) epidermophyton (Epidermophyton floccosum).