Introduction to Intertrigo

Intertrigo can be defined as an inflammatory condition that involves the skin folds and is induced or aggravated by warmth, moistures, macerations, frictions, and lack of ventilation. The condition oftentimes worsened or colonized by infections that most commonly is candidal but also might be bacterial, fungal and/or viral.

Intertrigo generally affects the armpits, perineum, body creases and abdominal creases. Diaper dermatitis depicts significant overlaps with intertrigo. Intertrigo is a common complication as a result of overweight and/or diabetes. Intertrigo is quite common, particularly in hot and humid environment.

The condition is a complication of sugar diseases also affects most infants as a factor of diaper dermatitis. Intertrigo is generally seasonal and linked with heat and humidity or strenuous activities wherein chafing occurs. Intertrigo features with insidious onsets of itching, burning sensation and cutting sensations in skin folds.

General causes for intertrigo

Intertrigo will develop from some mechanical factors and can also be formed due to some secondary infections. Satellite lesions, small areas of the same rashes those are closer to the main rashes are characteristic of intertrigo and other Candida skin problems. Heat and macerations are central to the process and also it is to be noted when opposite skin surfaces rub against one another and causes erosions those become inflamed.

Other factors like sweat, feces, urine, and vaginal discharges might aggravate intertrigo in both; adults and newborns. Intertrigo affects too old and too young people since they all have reduced immunity, immobilization, and dissoluteness. Erythema and weeping can progress maceration and also to crust.

Symptoms of Intertrigo

Intertrigo inclines to occur in hot (warm) and moist sites of the body where two skin surfaces generally keep on rubbing or pressing against one another. It is commonly seen in a person who is obese. Intertrigo can also be seen in a person who stays in bed or who wears medical devices that might trap moisture against the skins, such as artificial limb, splint, and brace.

The symptoms of intertrigo are featuring and making reddened and macerated tissues. They become increasingly reddish and can have significant foul smells. Secondary infections might occur with pus, ulcerations or abscesses. Scaling between the toes then suggest fungal infection. The affected areas of skin are generally turned pinkish to brownish. If the skins are particularly moist, they may begin to break down. In severe problems, there can be severe intense smell.

Treatment of Intertrigo

There are some common treatments of Intertrigo described below –

The perspiration can be reduced prescribing some gentle antiperspirants powders.

The infection is bacterial and hence, it may be cured with topical antibiotics (Petrolatum, or products with Zinc oxide, or using some products containing aluminum acetate) such as Fusidic acid ointment, Mupirocin cream or oral antibiotics like Flucloxacillin and other like erythromycin.

In case, there are yeasts and fungi, they all can be treated with topical antifungal agents like Clotrimazole and terbinafine lotions or oral supplements like itraconazole or terbinafine. Other treatment includes products that contain Zinc oxide and cod liver oil. Some of the healthcare providesr favor applying some disinfectant talc and Dimethicone since they are considered to be very beneficial in treating the conditions like intertrigo.

The condition often shows its prime feature – an inflammation. Now in such case, inflammatory conditions and skin diseases can oftentimes be treated with low potency topical steroidal lotions or creams such as hydrocortisone. A person having or suffering from this condition should avoid the flexures as they are prone to cause skin thinning that ultimately result in ugly stretch marks (often known as striae) and in some unfortunate patients, they can also turn to even ulcers. Calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus lotions or pimecrolimus ointments are also said to be very effective and beneficial in case of treating skin conditions such as intertrigo.