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The treatment of intertrigo of the large skin folds has frequently been studied but only in very weakly designed research. Well designed studies are needed. No firm evidence exists as to which recommendations for a clinical guideline can be formulated. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Is there a clinical guideline for intertrigo of the large skin folds?
If a secondary infection is involved, it’s important to treat the cause until the symptoms are gone. In some cases, intertrigo can become chronic. Maintaining a good skin cleaning and moisturizing routine can help prevent intertrigo from coming back. See a doctor to determine what’s causing the infection and receive the appropriate remedies.
How do I get rid of intertrigo?
While intertrigo can be unpleasant and painful, the good news is that it’s treatable and often preventable. Try your best to prevent intertrigo by keeping your skin clean, dry and cool, especially if you’re at a higher risk of getting it.
Is intertrigo treatable?

What is the fastest way to heal intertrigo?
Use skin barrier creams or anti-chafing gels: Creams or ointments with zinc oxide and/or petrolatum can help reduce friction between your affected skin by creating a barrier. Use fiber skin barriers: Use materials such as clean gauze or cotton to separate the affected skin that is touching can help reduce friction.
How do you heal skin breakdown in skin folds?
Uncomplicated, uninfected intertrigo can be treated with barrier ointments, such as petrolatum (such as Vaseline) and zinc oxide (such as Desitin). Applying cotton compresses saturated with a drying solution such as Burow's solution to the skin folds for 20 to 30 minutes several times a day can also help the rash heal.
How do you calm down intertrigo?
Home Remedies for IntertrigoPlace an absorbent dressing (such as a telfa pad, menstrual pad, or gauze) against the rash and changing it regularly.Use a fan or blow dryer on the cool setting to air out the skin fold.Use a soft towel to gently dry the area several times a day.More items...
How do you treat sores under fat rolls?
Mix equal amounts of clotrimazole 1% cream (or miconazole 1% cream) and hydrocortisone 1% cream and apply a thin layer to the affected area. People should do this twice a day until the rash is clear, which may take 3–8 weeks.
Is baby powder good for intertrigo?
Baby powder works great for preventing chafing and rashes like intertrigo. Intertrigo is a common form of dermatitis affecting skin folds, particularly the area beneath the breasts. Intertrigo sites often develop fungal and bacterial infections.
What is the best cream for intertrigo?
Topical antifungals used for intertrigo are nystatin and azole drugs, including miconazole, ketoconazole, or clotrimazole. You usually use the cream twice a day for two to four weeks . If your rash is very itchy, the doctor may also prescribe an antifungal combined with a low-dose corticosteroid.
What soap is good for intertrigo?
Treatment. When bathing or showering, use ketoconazole 1% (Nizoral AD) shampoo (available over the counter) as a soap all over the affected area. Leave it on for 2 to 5 minutes, then rinse off.
Is hydrocortisone cream good for intertrigo?
Prescription topical steroid creams such as hydrocortisone can be used, but only for a few weeks. Stronger topical steroid creams will be more rapidly effective, but if used for more than a few days may cause serious skin damage. Keeping the area dry and exposed to the air can prevent recurrences.
How to get rid of intertrigo rash?
2. Separate skin surfaces with gauze or cotton. Placing gauze or cotton in between the folds of skin where intertrigo has developed keeps the folds from rubbing together and creating friction that can worsen your rash. It also helps keep the skin dry.
What are the signs of intertrigo?
Tip: Bright red coloring, oozing, dry cracked skin, and an unpleasant odor are signs of infection. Discuss possible risk factors with your doctor.
Can you have intertrigo from a different cause?
It's best to get an accurate diagnosis from a doctor to make sure you have intertrigo. It's possible to have similar symptoms from a different cause, such as ringworm or bed bug, flea, or tick bites.
Can you get intertrigo while pregnant?
If you have to stay in bed, for example, while pregnant or recovering from surgery or an injury, you may also be at risk of developing intertrigo. Medical devices such as splints or artificial limbs can also trap moisture against the skin, leading to intertrigo.
Is Intertrigo more common in warm climates?
Knowing risk factors that apply to you can help your doctor better diagnose your condition and recommend appropriate treatment. Intertrigo is more common in warm, moist climate s. Additionally, it more often affects people who have extra weight on their body.
How to use Intertrigo for babies?
Intertrigo in babies requires special care, because the affected skin area is so delicate. Keep the area clean, wash it gently with a mild soap, and pat it dry. Use an absorbent diaper and wrap it loosely.
What does it feel like to have an intertrigo?
Intertrigo starts as redness or small bumps or spots in skin folds. The rash can feel: itchy. uncomfortable. burning. prickly. painful. The intertrigo appears on both sides of the skin fold, almost like a mirror image. If it’s not infected, the rash is usually symmetrical.
Why does intertrigo rash happen?
The main cause of intertrigo is the irritation of skin rubbing against skin. These areas are often moist, warm, and lacking air exposure. This makes them perfect breeding areas for microorganisms. These bacteria or fungi worsen the rash and its symptoms.
Why does my intertrigo smell bad?
If you have a secondary infection from bacteria, fungus, or yeast, the intertrigo becomes more inflamed and can develop a bad smell . Intertrigo with a secondary infection is often asymmetrical (not even or present on both sides). You may have intertrigo in more than one skin area.
What is the most common fungus in intertrigo?
Candida (a yeast ) is the fungus group that’s most commonly associated with intertrigo. About 80 percent to 90 percent#N#Trusted Source#N#of all skin yeast infections are caused by Candida albicans (also called thrush).
How to get rid of a swollen buttock?
If you exercise, shower afterwards and pat yourself dry. Don’t rub your skin. You may want to dry off the affected areas with a hair dryer set on low. Other products, such as tea tree oil or coconut oil, may help reduce itching and prevent infection, including in your buttocks area.
Is intertrigo common in older people?
Intertrigo is common and can occur at any age, but it’s more common in the very young and in older people. In babies, intertrigo most often appears as diaper rash.
How to treat intertrigo?
An article in the Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association offers the following advice on treating intertrigo: 1 Wash the affected area with ketoconazole 1% shampoo, which is available from most drugstores. People should leave it on for 2–5 minutes and then rinse it off. 2 Use a hairdryer on a low setting to ensure that the area is completely dry. 3 Mix equal amounts of clotrimazole 1% cream (or miconazole 1% cream) and hydrocortisone 1% cream and apply a thin layer to the affected area. People should do this twice a day until the rash is clear, which may take 3–8 weeks. 4 Once the rash has cleared, continue to use the ketoconazole 1% shampoo as soap in the affected area at least once a week. 5 Dry the skin with a hairdryer after every bath or shower, or whenever it feels particularly damp.
What are the conditions that cause intertrigo?
Intertrigo is also more common in adults with incontinence, obesity, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. Specific health conditions that can contribute to the development of intertrigo include:
What is intertrigo rash?
Summary. Intertrigo is a skin condition that causes a rash in folds of the skin, such as under the breasts, in the groin, or under the tummy fold. It happens when areas of moist skin rub together. Bacteria and yeast can grow in this environment, leading to an infection. In this article, we describe what intertrigo is, what it looks like, ...
Where is intertrigo most commonly found?
under the breasts. in the fold of skin underneath a protruding belly. the groin. between the buttocks. in the webs of the fingers. in the webs of the toes. Intertrigo may develop in one or more of these places.
Who diagnoses intertrigo?
It will often be a specialist skin doctor, or dermatologist, who diagnoses intertrigo. They will do this by inspecting the skin and asking a series of questions about the person’s symptoms.
What is the condition where the skin rubs against each other?
Intertrigo is a skin condition that happens when areas of moist skin rub against each other. It causes a red, raw-looking rash and can lead to yeast and bacterial infections. It can happen to anyone, but it is most common in babies, older people, individuals with mobility problems, and those with obesity. People can easily treat the rash ...
How to treat intertrigo?
Gentle Cleansing. To prevent infection, skin affected by intertrigo must be kept clean. Because the skin is already damaged, a gentle skin cleanser -- such as you would use on your face -- is preferable to body soap. Wash the area with a soft cloth rather than a body sponge or bath puff.
What is the best way to treat intertrigo?
Absorbent fabric or pads inserted into belly skin folds absorb perspiration and keep the area affected by intertrigo dry, which supports healing. Options include strips of soft cotton or linen, sterile dressings called ABD pads, or a commercial fabric impregnated with silver to reduce the risk of infection (InterDry).
What is intertrigo skin?
Intertrigo is an inflammatory skin condition that develops when trapped moisture and friction in large skin folds leads to chafing . It occurs most often in people who are overweight, and commonly develops in the thigh crease, under the breasts, in the armpits, between the buttocks and in skin folds ...
Why is my belly roll chafing?
Perspiration trapped in a skin fold, such as occurs with belly rolls, causes overhydration of the superficial layer of the skin. This makes the area susceptible to chafing as the skin rubs together within the fold . Absorbent body powder placed in the skin fold helps absorb perspiration and keeps the skin dry. Cornstarch is not recommended for this purpose as it can increase your risk for a secondary yeast infection with intertrigo.
Where is Heather's intertrigo?
She holds a bachelor's degree in English from TCNJ. Intertrigo commonly develops in the fold on the underside of the belly. Intertrigo is an inflammatory skin condition that develops when trapped moisture and friction in large skin folds leads ...
How to get rid of a swollen scab?
Wash the area with a soft cloth rather than a body sponge or bath puff. Rinse the area to remove all skin cleanser after washing and dry thoroughly. Gently pat the area dry with a towel. Holding the skin fold open in front of a fan or a hair dryer on the cool setting helps ensure there is no residual water.
