Intertrigo

Intertrigo is an inflammatory condition of skin folds, induced or aggravated by heat, moisture, maceration, friction, and lack of air circulation. An intertrigo sometimes refers to a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection that has developed at the site of broken skin due to such inflammation.

An intertrigo usually develops from the chafing of warm, moist skin in the areas of the inner thighs and genitalia, the armpits, under the breasts, the underside of the belly, behind the ears, and the web spaces between the toes and fingers. Intertrigo is characterized by an intensely red, macerated, glistening rash with scaling on the edges. The tip of the rash extends just beyond the limits of the opposing skin folds.

An intertrigo normally appears red and raw-looking, and may also itch, ooze, and be sore. Intertrigos happens more often among overweight individuals, those with diabetes, those restricted to bed rest or diaper use, and those who use medical devices, like artificial limbs, that trap moisture against the skin. Intertrigo is the word used to define a rash in body folds. Affected skin is reddened and uncomfy. Intertrigo is inflammation of skinfolds caused by skin-on-skin friction. Intertrigo tends to develop in warm, moist areas of the body where two skin surfaces rub or press against each other. It is most common in corpulent individuals.

Intertrigo commonly strikes the axilla, perineum, inframammary creases, and abdominal folds. It is most usual because of chafing together of the warm, moist skin, especially in those who are overweight or diabetic. Intertrigo affects people who are very old and very young due to reduced immunity, immobilization, and wantonness. It is a common skin condition affecting adversing cutaneous or mucocutaneous surfaces. Intertrigo is specifically common in those who are overweight. The affected areas of skin are generally pink to brown. If the skin is specifically moist, it may begin to break down.

In acute cases, there may be a foul odor. For the typical healthy person, Intertrigo is a innocuous disorder, but it can be very uncomfortable. It is not associated to cancer and it does not involve internal organs. If a rash forms, wash affected areas with water only. Soap can be irritating. Pat dry thoroughly. Apply cold, wet compresses to the rash to reduce itching. Avoidance of moist, compressed areas is captious to recovery from intertrigo. Weight loss and widespread repositioning are often helpful. Stronger topical steroid creams will be more quickly effective, but if used for more than a few days may cause serious skin damage.

Causes of Intertrigo

The common causes and risk factor's of Intertrigo include the following:

Initiating factors include friction, perspiration, maceration, or irritation from stool, urine, drainage, or topical agents.
Autoeczematization and infection also may be factors.
Poor hygiene
Inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis, occurring in the skin folds.
Rare inherited conditions like Hailey-hailey disease.
This condition may also be observed in people who are confined to bed rest or in those who wear medical devices which may trap moisture against the skin, such as artificial limbs, splints, and braces.

Symptoms of Intertrigo

Some sign and symptoms related to Intertrigo are as follows:

Red and moist skin.
Burning.
Fever of 1000 or higher with no other cause.
You may have blisters or scales.
Discharge of pus.
You may also have seborrhoeic dermatitis or thrush (candidiasis).
The affected area may smell cheesy or yeasty.

Treatment of Intertrigo

Here is list of the methods for treating Intertrigo:

Sweating may be minimized with a gentle antiperspirant.
Bacteria may be treated with topical antibiotics such as fusidic acid cream, mupirocin ointment, or oral antibiotics such as flucloxacillin and erythromycin.
Wash affected areas with soap and water daily.
Yeasts and fungi may be treated with topical antifungals such as clotrimazole and terbinafine cream or oral agents such as itraconazole or terbinafine.
Use medicated powder in the affected areas on a daily basis. This helps keep the areas dry.
Inflammatory skin diseases are often cured with low potency topical steroid creams such as hydrocortisone.

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