Intertrigos
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intertrigo AND treatment
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Intertrigo is inflammation of opposing skin surfaces, usually in warm, moist folds such as the groin, under the breasts or abdominal fold, armpits, between the buttocks, or toe webs. Moisture, heat, friction, sweat, and urine or stool exposure can cause it. It appears red, sore, itchy or burning, and may become macerated or fissured. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine, p. 1696.
Common causes and clues
- Simple irritant intertrigo: red, moist, rubbed skin in folds.
- Candida (yeast): bright-red rash with small surrounding “satellite” papules or pustules.
- Bacterial infection: increasing pain, marked redness, odor, oozing, crusting, or tenderness. Streptococcal infection can be particularly painful.
- Other mimics include tinea, erythrasma, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and flexural psoriasis.
Self-care and first steps
- Gently wash, then dry completely. A hairdryer on a cool setting can help.
- Keep folds cool and dry: loose, breathable clothing; change sweaty clothes promptly.
- Reduce rubbing. A zinc oxide barrier paste is helpful when moisture from urine or stool is involved.
- If the pattern suggests yeast, an over-the-counter topical antifungal such as clotrimazole may help. Avoid using steroid cream alone if a fungal infection is possible.
- Avoid fragranced products, deodorants, or new creams that may be irritating.
If the rash is weepy, severely inflamed, recurrent, or uncertain, a clinician may do a fungal scraping/culture or bacterial swab. Underlying contributors such as diabetes, obesity, excessive sweating, incontinence, or immunosuppression should be addressed. DermNet's intertrigo overview and candidal intertrigo guidance support moisture control and targeted treatment.
Seek medical care promptly for fever, spreading redness, substantial pain, pus, open sores, rapid worsening, or if you are immunocompromised. See a clinician if it has not improved within about 1-2 weeks or keeps recurring.
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