Intertrigo

Intertigo is dermatitis affecting skin folds. It is commonly complicated by a secondary fungal infection. It appears as an erythematous rash on a skin fold.

  • Risk factors
    • Obesity (due to increased skin folds)
    • Hyperhidrosis (increases local humidity and maceration)
    • Poor hygiene
    • Limited mobility
    • Diabetes mellitus
    • Immunosuppression
    • Occlusive clothing or incontinence aids
    • Extremes of age (due to thinner and more fragile skin)
    • Hot and humid climate
    • Prolonged physical activity
    • Inadequate drying after bathing or showering
  • Causative organisms
    • Candida albicans
    • *Trichophyton rubrum *****(groin)
    • Trichophyton interdigitale (athlete’s foot)
    • Corynebacterium minutissiumim (erythrasma)
    • Streptococci
  • Signs and symptoms
  • Treatment
    • Local skin care
      • Keep skin clean and dry
      • Loose-fitting, breathable clothing
      • Barrier preparations (zinc oxide or petrolatum based creams)
    • Weight reduction for obesity
    • Optimise glycaemic control in diabetes
    • Topical imidazle +/- topical corticosteroid for candidal intertigo
    • Topical fusidic acid or clindamycin for erythrasma
    • Oral macrolides for widespread disease
Dr Jeffrey Kalei
Dr Jeffrey Kalei

Author and illustrator for Hyperexcision. Interested in emergency room medicine. I have a passion for medical education and drawing.

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