Intertrigo is an inflammation of the body folds that is usually located in the inner thighs, armpits and under the breasts or belly where extra skin tends to fold. Intertrigo looks like a bad rash that is raw and red and may tend to itch and have an ooze that comes from the area. People who are diabetic or who are overweight may have a higher risk of Intertrigo as the chafing of the warm, moist skin are more common. Bacterial infection and yeast infection can set up in these areas and should be examined by a doctor to determine what skin disease is causing the Intertrigo.
There are several treatments that can control or heal the affected area. Topical and oral medications can be used for yeast and/or bacterial infections and a solution of 1:20 of Burows can help with the moistness. Use a hair dryer set on a cool temperature setting if you decide to use Burows to control the moistness. Hydrocortisone is another option but should not be used for more than a few weeks as it could cause skin damage if a strong prescription is prescribed. Creams such as Desitin, zinc oxide and Balmex are all brands of creams you can try to help alleviate Intertrigo. To prevent Intertrigo, it is always best to keep the area of the skin folds dry by exposing to the air. A paper towel or cotton fabric can help absorb any sweat that accumulates in the folds of the skin. After a shower or bath, use a powder that will help absorb any moisture. Washing with an antibacterial soap should also be used. If you prefer to take oral medications, you can try cod liver oil and shark oil.
Some people may feel that the creams may just aggravate the area, keeping the area moist. When using any type of cream, make sure that the cream is rubbed completely in so there are no visible signs of it. Powders may be your best bet in keeping the area dry.
Intertrigo is not contagious but should be seen by a doctor if you have concerns of having Intertrigo. If you are overweight, your doctor may suggest weight loss to help prevent or control Intertrigo. Your doctor will look at the infected area to determine if Intertrigo is indeed present. In rare cases, a skin biopsy may be preformed for a diagnosis. A KOH exam may be done to make sure there are no fungal infection as well as a Wood’s lamp to rule out erythrasma, which is a bacterial infection. Sometimes when a doctor does an exam or test, he may find that the patient has developed psoriasis, which tends to have the same symptoms as Intertrigo.
Healthy people can also develop Intertrigo but not as often as people who fall in the overweight category. Living in warm humid areas can cause a sudden outbreak in the skin, therefore, causing a more likelihood of developing Intertrigo when the armpits, neck, and anywhere else where skin tends to fold and overlap.
