Disease: Intertrigo

    Intertrigo facts

    • Intertrigo is a dermatitis that only affects skin folds.
    • Intertrigo is caused when skin is irritated by friction, which is enhanced by moisture and heat.
    • Risk factors for intertrigo include obesity, heat, and humidity.
    • Intertrigo patients complain of redness, burning, and itching in the skin folds. Occasionally, long-standing intertrigo may produce a musty smell.
    • Intertrigo is diagnosed by visual inspection.
    • Treatment involves the reduction of frictional forces, humidity, and heat in the skin folds.
    • Intertrigo dermatitis can be infected by bacteria and fungi. Eruptions in the skin folds can occur in a number of other dermatological conditions aside from intertrigo.
    • Intertrigo can be prevented by losing weight and applying powders, which reduce friction prior to athletic endeavors.
    • The prognosis of intertrigo is excellent.

    What is intertrigo?

    Intertrigo is a very common inflammatory condition affecting areas of skin that are characteristically in contact with each other, such as the groin, armpits, under the breasts, and skin folds. These areas of skin that are in contact with each other are referred to as the intertriginous zones. In obese individuals, skin folds may occur in a variety of other areas and so can be affected by intertrigo.

    What causes intertrigo?

    Simple intertrigo is an irritant dermatitis caused by the combination of frictional rubbing, increased temperature, and moisture. Intertrigo can be complicated by various microorganisms, including yeasts, dermatophytic fungi, bacteria, as well as allergic and irritant reactions to various medications and chemicals. There are also some rather exotic dermatologic diseases that have a predilection to appear in the intertriginous zones.

    What are risk factors for intertrigo?

    Environmental factors play a major role in exacerbations of intertrigo. They include increases in temperature and humidity encountered most frequently during the summer months.

    Activities such as bicycle riding or running, which have repetitive movements, produce frictional forces which may injure the skin. The presence of large folds of skin, such as those that result from obesity, also enhances the likelihood of intertrigo.

    What are intertrigo symptoms and signs?

    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 and sometimes scaly.

    How is intertrigo diagnosed?

    Intertrigo can be diagnosed by the doctor purely on the basis of its appearance -- a red rash affecting one or more intertriginous areas.

    What is the treatment for intertrigo?

    Treatment of uncomplicated intertrigo primarily involves changing those environmental factors that have predisposed the patient to the condition. Areas of involvement are covered with a mild topical steroid like 1% hydrocortisone cream and then covered with a drying powder such as Zeasorb.

    What are risk factors for intertrigo?

    Environmental factors play a major role in exacerbations of intertrigo. They include increases in temperature and humidity encountered most frequently during the summer months.

    Activities such as bicycle riding or running, which have repetitive movements, produce frictional forces which may injure the skin. The presence of large folds of skin, such as those that result from obesity, also enhances the likelihood of intertrigo.

    What are intertrigo symptoms and signs?

    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 and sometimes scaly.

    How is intertrigo diagnosed?

    Intertrigo can be diagnosed by the doctor purely on the basis of its appearance -- a red rash affecting one or more intertriginous areas.

    What is the treatment for intertrigo?

    Treatment of uncomplicated intertrigo primarily involves changing those environmental factors that have predisposed the patient to the condition. Areas of involvement are covered with a mild topical steroid like 1% hydrocortisone cream and then covered with a drying powder such as Zeasorb.

    Source: http://www.rxlist.com

    Treatment of uncomplicated intertrigo primarily involves changing those environmental factors that have predisposed the patient to the condition. Areas of involvement are covered with a mild topical steroid like 1% hydrocortisone cream and then covered with a drying powder such as Zeasorb.

    Source: http://www.rxlist.com

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