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Intertrigo facts

Intertrigo is a dermatitis that only affects skin folds. Intertrigo is caused when skin is irritated by friction, which is enhanced by moisture and heat. Risk factors for intertrigo include obesity, heat, and humidity. Intertrigo patients complain of redness, burning, and itching in the skin folds. Occasionally, long-standing intertrigo may produce a musty smell. Intertrigo is diagnosed by visual inspection. Treatment involves the reduction of frictional forces, humidity, and heat in the skin folds. Intertrigo dermatitis can be infected by bacteria and fungi. Eruptions in the skin folds can occur in a number of other dermatological conditions aside from intertrigo. Intertrigo can be prevented by losing weight and applying greasy topical ointments, which reduce friction prior to athletic endeavors. The prognosis of intertrigo is excellent.

What is intertrigo?
Intertrigo is a very common inflammatory condition affecting areas of skin that are characteristically in contact with each other, such as the groin, armpits, under the breasts, and skin folds. These areas of skin that are in contact with each other are referred to as the intertriginous zones. In obese individuals, skin folds may occur in a variety of other areas and so can be affected by intertrigo.

What causes intertrigo?


Simple intertrigo is an irritant dermatitis caused by the combination of frictional rubbing, increased temperature, and moisture. Intertrigo can be complicated various microorganisms, including yeasts, dermatophytic fungi, bacteria, as well as allergic and irritant reactions to various medications and chemicals. There are also some rather exotic dermatologic diseases that have a predilection to appear in the intertriginous zones.

What are risk factors for intertrigo?


Environmental factors play a major role in exacerbations of intertrigo. They include increases in temperature and humidity encountered most frequently during the summer months.

Activities such as bicycle riding or running, which have repetitive movements, produce frictional forces which may damage skin. The presence of large folds of skin, such as those that result from obesity, also enhances the likelihood of intertrigo.

What are intertrigo symptoms and signs?


Symptoms of intertrigo include itching and burning in the intertriginous zones. Occasionally, long-standing intertrigo may produce a musty smell. With intertrigo, these areas become inflamed and appear red and sometimes scaly.

How is intertrigo diagnosed?


Intertrigo can be diagnosed by the doctor purely on the basis of its appearance -- a red rash affecting one or more intertriginous areas.

What is the treatment for intertrigo?


Treatment of uncomplicated intertrigo primarily involves changing those environmental factors that have predisposed the patient to the condition. Areas of involvement are covered with a weak topical steroid like 1% hydrocortisone cream and then covered with a thick layer of drying, greasy, bland topical like zinc oxide paste or ointment. (Desitin is a good alternative.)

What are complications of intertrigo?


Intertrigo may be complicated by a variety of infectious microorganisms that must be eliminated before the condition is likely to improve. Since fungal infections are very common in the intertriginous zones, it is important to perform appropriate tests (such as microscopically analyzing small scrapings of affected skin) to exclude this problem. Most dermatologists and some primary care physicians are able to perform potassium hydroxide mounts of scale obtained from the irritated skin right in the office and visualize the fungus under the light microscope. There are a variety of other skin diseases that may present a picture similar to intertrigo but are treated quite differently. If the condition does not respond to the simple treatment methods listed above, further diagnostic procedures may have to be done to elucidate the true diagnosis.

What is the prognosis of intertrigo?


If the patient is willing to change certain habits that may predispose to intertrigo the prognosis is quite good. It almost always resolves rapidly.

Can intertrigo be prevented?


Simple intertrigo can be prevented by applying a generous amount of a bland, greasy topical substance (petroleum jelly, zinc oxide paste or ointment) onto any intertriginous skin predisposed to irritation prior to any physical activity. In obese individuals with a

large abdominal skin folds (panniculus), weight reduction can diminish the folds so that intertrigo is prevented.

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