Top doctor warns you’re putting underwear on WRONG! There way most people do it risks ‘crotch rot’ infection

Putting underpants on with bare feet could put millions at risk of a gruesome and embarrassing groin infection, a top doctor has warned. 

So-called ‘crotch rot’ is caused by the fungus, tinea corporis, commonly known as ringworm, and appears as scaly, itchy and sometimes red skin.

And according to Dr Samuel Choudhury, a GP who specialises in skincare, the infection often spreads to the genital area via the feet. 

In a video shared to his 450,000 TikTok followers Dr Choudhury warned that foot ringworm is incredibly common — affecting around 70 per cent of people ‘at least once in their life’.

And studies show that around 20 per cent will, at some point, suffer the same infection in the groin area. 

Dr Choudhury explained that underwear comes into contact with the fungal spores on the feet, and carries them up to the groin.

‘So this is what you need to do to avoid jock itch [crotch infection],’ he added.

‘Not wearing underwear is not the solution, but wearing your socks first is. It acts as a barrier so you contain the infection.’

He added that those who suffer persistent jock itch should ‘think about’ the state of their feet. 

NHS guidance echoes Dr Choudhury’s warnings, advising that fungal groin infeections are usually caused by reinfection from other parts of the body, like hands or feet.

Studies have shown that young men are the most likely to suffer, as well as those who work in high temperature environments, wear tight fitting clothing or are obese.

These fungi naturally live on your skin and typically don’t cause problems. 

However, wearing sweat-soaked clothes after exercising can lead to prolonged exposure to moisture, allowing the fungi to multiply quickly.

Jock itch, sometimes referred to as ‘crotch rot’ is contagious for as long as the fungal spores are living on the skin.

These spores can even live on surfaces like bedding and towels for over a year if they aren’t washed.

Advice to treat the infection includes washing affected skin areas daily, making sure to dry thoroughly as well as avoiding scratching and washing clothes and bedding.

If symptoms don’t improve with home treatments, experts advise contacting the doctor for advice.

Doctors will typically prescribe an anti- fungal cream such as hydrocortisone and/or an oral anti-fungal if the infection gets worse.