Intertrigo

The term intertrigo refers to a condition in which the skin in the body folds suffers from inflammation and redness. It is very common among people with moderate to severe degrees of obesity, and can be also found on those individuals who are in bed most of the time because of a disease and on those people who wear prosthetic arms or legs; and appears in general in those places of the body where for some reason sweat cannot be evaporated into the atmosphere and instead accumulates on the skin.

This humidity accumulation, along with the relatively high temperature present in body folds, and the fact that those areas are often subject to friction make these body parts particularly suitable for the development of bacterial infections.

Causes Of Intertrigo

Body folds are areas of the skin that are usually characterized by a relatively high skin temperature, accumulated moisture from unevaporated sweat, and friction from movement of adjacent skin (which results in chafing). Under this conditions, intertrigo appears and it is often accompanied by infections derived from unusual bacterial proliferation around the broken skin.

Intertrigo can also be caused by other factors, such as blistering skin disorders like bullous pemphigoid, inherited conditions such as Hailey-Hailey disease, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and fungus infections.

Symptoms Of Intertrigo

Intertrigo may show many symptoms, being the most common skin redness, sometimes with the presence of persistent brown patches. Itchiness is common, and care should be taken to avoid scratching, for this may cause skin laceration and further discomfort and even pain.

Treatment Of Intertrigo

Intertrigo must be treated depending on its underlying cause. Certain bacterial infections respond better to certain antibiotics than others. Creams and lotions that fight itch will prevent scratching and further damage to the skin.

If fungus infection is present, antifungal topical medication may be the right choice. Inflammation is often treated with anti-inflammatory medicines. Antiseptic creams can help keep the area clean and thus avoid further infection.

Prevention Of Intertrigo

The best way to prevent intertrigo is take appropriate measures to avoid accumulation of moisture within the body folds. Weight loss is greatly recommended, both for prevention and for treatment. Carefully drying all parts of the skin after a bath, shower or swim can prevent intertrigo from developing, and avoiding scratching can certainly stop it from extending when it has already appeared.

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