It is an inflammation of the body folds. This disease affects the armpits, belly or inner thighs and underside of the breasts. The affected area looks red and raw. It might itch, ooze or get sore. It occurs due to chafing together of the moist, warm skin and is found in those people who are diabetic or overweight. This condition should be evaluated by a dermatologist since there are several other diseases which can result in the occurrence of intertrigo.

The diagnosis of intertrigo is clear and is based on clinical manifestations. In order to control intertrigo, one should minimize moisture and friction with absorptive powders such as cornstarch or barrier creams. The patient should wear light and absorbent clothing and should avoid wool and synthetic fibres. This disease is common in those people who are either diabetic or obese. This disease generally occurs in hot and humid climate.

Cause

This disease occurs in the warm, moist areas of the body where two skin surfaces rub or press against each other. This disease is commonly found in obese individuals. This condition also affects those people who are restricted to bed rest or people who wear medical devices that might trap moisture against the skin such as splints, artificial limbs and braces.

Symptoms

The symptoms of intertrigo can appear wherever the skin falls in folds and generally occurs around the belly, armpits, inner thighs or under the breasts. Due to chafing the skin tends to get reddened. Continuous chafing creates raw spots where the skin is broken open. The areas might burn, itch or sting. Bacteria or yeast might enter through cracks in the skin thus causing infection.

Treatment

As such there is no specific treatment for intertrigo. One should try and maintain a good hygiene regimen on the affected area. It has been found out that keeping the affected area dry and exposed to open air has also been found out to be effective in several cases.

The treatment of this disease can be done with antifungal creams such as miconazole and clotrimazole. Care must also be taken to keep the skin folds as dry as possible. Burow’s compresses which is a drying solution can be applied to the skin folds for twenty to thirty minutes several times a day for promoting drying.

Topical steroid cream can be used for curing this condition but only for a few weeks. Stronger steroid creams are quite effective but if it is applied for more than a few days it can cause serious skin damage.