Is intertrigo an infection?

Intertrigo itself is not an infection. It's an inflammatory skin condition. However, intertrigo often leads to a fungal or bacterial infection.

How do you know if intertrigo is infected?

Patients may present with itching, burning, and pain in the affected areas. More prominent inflammation could be a sign of secondary infection. Well-demarcated red, weeping intertrigo may be mechanical or may be a sign of secondary GABHS infection.

How do you treat an intertrigo infection?

Intertrigo infected by bacteria should be treated with topical (eg, mupirocin) or oral antibiotics (eg, penicillin) along with low-potency topical steroids. Intertrigo infected by yeasts or dermatophytes should be treated with antifungal agents.

What happens if intertrigo goes untreated?

The onset of intertrigo can happen suddenly or become a chronic and recurrent condition. If left untreated, the condition tends to worsen significantly, and may result in secondary infections. The inflamed skin may eventually become raw, moist, and macerated. The skin may peel, wear off, and develop cracks.

Do I need antibiotics for intertrigo?

Intertrigo treatment

For mild cases, your doctor will tell you to keep the affected area of your skin dry and exposed to air. Your doctor may also want to prescribe a topical steroid cream. For more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal cream.

Intertrigo

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 long does it take to get rid of 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 can be mistaken for intertrigo?

At first glance, inverse psoriasis can easily be mistaken for intertrigo.

Can intertrigo heal itself?

Once intertrigo sets in, it can be difficult to cure unless the root causes (such as obesity) are addressed. To prevent infection, take the following measures: Keep the skin folds as dry as possible.

Can intertrigo last for months?

Intertrigo can be acute (recent onset), relapsing (recurrent), or chronic (present for more than six weeks). The exact appearance and behaviour depend on the underlying cause(s). The skin affected by intertrigo is inflamed, reddened, and uncomfortable.

What does Candida intertrigo look like?

Candidal intertrigo classically presents as erythematous and macerated plaques with peripheral scaling. There are often associated superficial satellite papules or pustules [2,5,6].

Can you use hydrogen peroxide on intertrigo?

If a stronger cleansing solution is required, hydrogen peroxide or Dakin's solution may be used, followed by sterile normal saline. (2) Whenever infection is present, as evidenced by positive cultures, pus, inflammation or odor, it is desirable to use an appropriate antibacterial agent.

Can I use hydrocortisone on intertrigo?

For persistent irritation, 0.5–1.0% hydrocortisone cream twice daily may help. Discontinue if you are no better after 2 weeks of use. Adding a topical antifungal to the hydrocortisone, such as clotrimazole cream, may help if yeast infection is suspected.

Is intertrigo the same as Candida?

Intertrigo is a common inflammatory dermatosis of opposing skin surfaces that can be caused by a variety of infectious agents, most notably candida, under the effect of mechanical and environmental factors. Symptoms such as pain and itching significantly decrease quality of life, leading to high morbidity.

What does a yeast infection in skin folds look like?

Superficial candidal skin infections appear as a red flat rash with sharp, scalloped edges. Smaller patches of similar-appearing rash, known as "satellite lesions" or "satellite pustules," are usually nearby. These rashes may be hot, itchy, or painful. Intertrigo appears as softened red skin in body fold areas.

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.

How do I get rid of intertrigo smell?

Over-the-counter intertrigo treatments include antifungal powders (preferred over creams, which keep the skin fold moist), topical corticosteroid creams, and antibacterial ointments. Do not overuse antibacterial ointments, as this can cause a different type of rash to develop.

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.

Does vinegar help intertrigo?

Dilute vinegar compress: make solution using ¼ cup of household white vinegar and ¾ cup of water. Store in refrigerator. Soak a wash cloth in this solution and hold to affected area for 5 minutes. If your rash does not improve after several weeks of twice daily treatment, please call us.

Is intertrigo an autoimmune disease?

Intertrigo is not an autoimmune condition. It is a skin disorder caused by skin-on-skin friction in moist and warm body areas. In contrast to intertrigo, inverse psoriasis is a persistent or chronic condition.

Is intertrigo caused by stress?

As with many skin conditions stress can make the infection worse. What causes Intertrigo? It is caused by excess trapped moisture in the skin folds, an overgrowth of normal body yeast called candida albicans which thrive in warm, moist creases of the skin.

Is intertrigo same as jock itch?

There are other rashes of the groin that can cause symptoms that are similar to jock itch. The first is called intertrigo, which is a red, macerated rash at the groin fold that's not caused by a fungus. Intertrigo commonly occurs in people who are obese and is caused by moist skin rubbing against other moist skin.

How do you stop intertrigo from spreading?

What is the best powder for intertrigo?

Keeping your skin clean and dry can often prevent intertrigo. Follow these simple suggestions: Use a blow dryer on a low-setting to dry the body fold areas after bathing. Sprinkle a drying powder such as Zeasorb-AF powder on these areas.

Does intertrigo have an odor?

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-brown and sometimes scaly.