Intertrigo

Intertrigo is a common skin condition that appears in areas where skin folds rub together. It leads to a red, bumpy rash that can become infected if it’s not treated.
Overview Overview What Is Intertrigo? Intertrigo is an inflamed rash that forms in areas where skin folds, such as the underarms, buttocks, and under the breasts. It’s caused by trapped moisture and friction from skin rubbing against skin. People who have obesity , diabetes, or a weakened immune system are more likely to develop intertrigo. In babies, diaper rash is a form of intertrigo. Weight loss and treatment for type 2 diabetes can prevent intertrigo. If you have it, keep the skin dry and use an antibiotic or antifungal medicine to manage this condition.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294b5b4032-838e-4548-95ec-f6d9cbfbfe1f
Signs and Symptoms of Intertrigo Symptoms Symptoms of intertrigo include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629912841c6-9fd4-4238-a6dc-2febbefa190ce60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629837465bd-3ea9-4989-89ab-fb9ff78a6e87 A red or reddish-brown rash inside skin folds Itching, burning, pain, or tingling Crusted, scaly, flaky skin Open sores and cracks in the skin that may bleed Weeping or oozing from the rash A bad smell You’ll find the intertrigo rash in places where skin rubs against skin, such as:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629912841c6-9fd4-4238-a6dc-2febbefa190ce60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629837465bd-3ea9-4989-89ab-fb9ff78a6e87 In the crease of the neck In the armpits Under the belly folds Under the breasts In the groin Between the buttocks Between the toes If the rash becomes infected, the skin may turn red and form pus- or liquid-filled bumps. An infection can become serious if you don’t treat it. Call your doctor if you have symptoms of an infection.
Causes and Risk Factors of Intertrigo Causes Intertrigo is caused by heat and moisture in areas where skin rubs against skin. Trapped moisture from sweat makes skin stick together in folds like the armpits, belly, buttocks, between the toes, and under the breasts. Friction irritates and damages the skin, making it easier for fungi, bacteria, and other germs to get inside, multiply, and cause an infection. The immune system responds to the infection by producing inflammation, which causes the intertrigo rash.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294e9bad22-cacb-4058-adbf-e2e1462e5ea9 You’re more likely to get intertrigo if you have:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294e9bad22-cacb-4058-adbf-e2e1462e5ea9 Obesity Type 2 diabetes A weak immune system from a medical condition or medication you take Urinary incontinence Babies are at higher risk for intertrigo because they have more delicate skin, and the skin around their genitals may be wet from sitting in a diaper. The condition is also more common in older adults who are less able to care for their skin.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294e9bad22-cacb-4058-adbf-e2e1462e5ea9e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d22c4e9d-a2ba-4929-9c8d-d722b42d7af6
How Is Intertrigo Diagnosed? Diagnosis No specific tests are available to diagnose intertrigo, and the rash is easy to mistake for other common skin conditions. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and examine your skin folds.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291e206eaa-7f47-4b7b-905d-1f08c048336e If you have an infection, one way to determine which type of bacteria or fungus caused it is by taking a skin scraping or removing a small sample of skin ( biopsy ) and looking at it under a microscope. Your doctor can also use a device called a Wood’s lamp, which shines a special light on your skin to look for a certain kind of bacteria or fungi that may have caused the skin infection.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295aedfda1-bfcd-4292-b6e4-1ef14a2d2a0f Is Intertrigo Contagious? No. The intertrigo rash isn’t contagious. You can’t catch it from someone or pass it to another person. The rash also won’t spread from one part of your body to another, although the infection can spread.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f0d32df1-ca06-4d44-9de5-50f022ba94c7e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295aedfda1-bfcd-4292-b6e4-1ef14a2d2a0f
Treatment and Medication Options for Intertrigo Treatment The choice of treatment depends on whether the rash is infected. To treat intertrigo without an infection:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629894e5fdb-934a-4d35-9a87-f8416f9d9ced Keep your skin dry. Take a daily shower or bath. Afterward, pat your skin dry with a soft, clean towel. Apply a mild antiperspirant, talcum powder, or both. Create a skin barrier. Use a cream or ointment that contains zinc oxide or petrolatum . You might also place a cotton or gauze pad over the area to prevent skin friction. Fight germs. Ask your doctor if you should apply a topical antifungal or antibacterial cream to prevent fungi and bacteria from growing. Apply a low-dose corticosteroid cream. This topical medicine reduces inflammation in the skin. A low dose prevents the skin thinning that can occur with high-dose topical steroids. If the rash doesn’t improve in a few days, it’s best to check in with a dermatologist. How to treat an infection depends on which germ caused it. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments like bacitracin treat mild bacterial infections. Mupirocin is another antibiotic ointment available with a prescription. If the infection doesn’t improve with topical medications, you may need a prescription oral antibiotic such as flucloxacillin or erythromycin .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e425b111-f714-4a9e-8d10-f1cca4f35ed7 Antifungal creams like clotrimazole (Lotrimin) , ketoconazole (Nizoral) , and oxiconazole (Oxistat) treat fungal infections. Oral fluconazole (Diflucan) is for fungal infections that don’t improve with antifungal cream.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e425b111-f714-4a9e-8d10-f1cca4f35ed7
Prevention of Intertrigo Prevention Certain things increase the risk of intertrigo, including obesity, diabetes, and urinary incontinence. Here are some steps to take to reduce your chance of getting this skin condition. Lose weight if you are overweight or have obesity, with the help of your doctor and a dietitian. Shower or bathe every day, especially after you sweat. Then dry your skin, especially in places that trap moisture, like the armpits, groin, and under the breasts. Keep your skin cool and dry with an antiperspirant and powder. Wear loose, lightweight clothing in breathable or moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton or bamboo. Choose a bra that offers good support. If you have a condition that causes excess sweating ( hyperhidrosis ), see a doctor for treatment. Stay indoors with the air conditioning on when it’s hot outside. Blow a fan or a hair dryer on the “cool” setting at your skin. Use a skin barrier cream if you have incontinence.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c2544c29-0dd9-4401-9a41-67bdd251b0e6
Complications of Intertrigo Complications It’s important to treat intertrigo, especially if you have an infection. Without treatment, it could develop into a serious skin infection like cellulitis , or a life-threatening immune system reaction called sepsis .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629793e24c4-57e3-480d-bf08-f4a5ce8c3bc6
When to See Your Doctor Doctor’s Visits Make an appointment with your doctor if an intertrigo rash doesn’t go away with at-home treatment. Also call if you have any symptoms of infection, such as pus-filled bumps or a foul smell.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629edd1be3e-d0e0-4bc0-965b-b7d579babc13
The Takeaway Intertrigo is an inflamed rash that forms in areas of skin folds like the armpits, groin, and under the breasts. While the rash isn’t contagious, it can become infected. Your risk of developing intertrigo is higher if you have a condition like obesity, type 2 diabetes, or incontinence. To prevent this rash, keep your skin cool and dry. Ask your doctor about applying an antifungal or antibacterial cream to prevent infection.
Resources We Trust Cleveland Clinic: Intertrigo American Diabetes Association: Diabetes and Skin Complications DermNet: Obesity and the Skin Harvard Health Publishing: Heat Rash: How to Spot It and What to Do Mayo Clinic: Hyperhidrosis

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