Q. I live in a very tropical, hot and humid place. For the past year, I have had recurring yeast infections. My problem is not so much the yeast infection (which I think I now have under control, having taken a series of fluconazole pills and ingested quantities of yogurt and acidophilus) but rather the ‘jock itch’ that has remained.
I have used nystatin with zinc (it seems to stay on well) and Lotrimin. I am on a no-underwear, skirts-only clothing routine. Do you have any other suggestions?
A. You may find this bizarre, but men have told us that applying Listerine to the groin area can help control jock itch. This old-fashioned yellow mouthwash contains 26.9 percent alcohol plus the herbal oils eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, and thymol.
These oils have antifungal activity, especially in concert. Be careful how you apply it, though. The alcohol and other ingredients might sting if the Listerine landed where it doesn’t belong.
