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
- Erythematous rash on a skin folds
- Breast fold
- Groind
- Axilla
- Gluteal cleft
- Erythematous rash on a skin folds
- 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
- Local skin care
