Jock itch is the most common dermatological complaint in the United States. It’s a fungal infection that affects the skin in your groin and scrotum and can be caused by a number of different things. But what if I told you that one of those things could be boxer briefs?
The short answer is yes—boxing briefs can cause jock itch for men. The long answer? It might not be as simple as that!
If you’re wondering if boxer briefs cause jock itch for men, let’s take a closer look at the evidence and how it came to be.
First off, jock itch is caused by a fungus called Microsporum gypseum. This fungus thrives in warm, moist environments, which is why it’s so prevalent among athletes—it likes being sweaty! So when you put on tight-fitting underwear that traps heat in your body and traps moisture in your underwear… boom: jock itch.
Now, here’s where things get interesting: while some people believe that boxer briefs cause jock itch because they trap heat and moisture—which would increase both conditions—there is actually no evidence to support this theory. One thing you can do is wear boxer shorts instead. Boxer shorts have fewer layers of fabric than regular boxer briefs—they’re made with less material overall and have thinner seams so they’re not as bulky or restrictive on your skin as regular briefs are. They also have a higher elasticity so they stretch more than normal briefs. This makes them less likely to irritate sensitive skin or cause friction against the skin underneath them when you’re moving around during exercise or other activities like washing dishes (which leads to more sweat).
