Intertrigo Treatment

A yeast infection on the skin folds caused by Candida albicans is known as Intertrigo. Intertrigo happens when moisture becomes trapped into the skinfolds where there is also limited circulation of air. This condition develops from the chafing of a warm and moist skin.

Common areas include the armpits, genitalia, inner thighs, under the breaths, underside of the belly, between the web spaces of fingers and toes, as well as behind the ear. These areas have skinfolds that rub against the skin. This kind of infection is manifested by an itchy rash and is common to overweight people or those who have diabetes. It may be due to mechanical factors and secondary infection where maceration and heat becomes part of the infectious process. When two skin surfaces rub against one another, it forms erosion at the area which becomes inflamed.

Aggravating factors to the wound includes sweat, urine, feces and other discharges which makes the condition worse to both infants and adults. Intertrigo is common to people who live in moist and warm climates. It is also common in people who are bedridden, those who wear medical devices that usually traps moisture to the skin like braces, splints and artificial limbs. A red or reddish-brown rash indicates the condition. It also becomes raw, itchy and oozy.

With the help or topical and oral medications, the condition can be managed. There are also topical steroid creams hydrocortisone which can be applied to the area to relieve pain. However, it only treats the symptoms but not the entire infection. It is essential that the affected area be kept dry and exposed to room air so that it won’t recur.

People who have this kind of infection should wear light and non-fitting clothes. It should also be absorbent, unlike synthetic fibers and nylon. An antibacterial soap is recommended for use to the surrounding skin using absorbent cotton to help treat the area. Antiperspirants are also known to be helpful in preventing recurrences. The skin should also be kept cool and dry. Air conditioning or an electric fan is also suggested.

Below are some Intertrigo treatment tips:

  1. Weight loss

Since the condition is common to those diabetic and overweight, regular exercise and weight loss is suggested as prevention for this type of infection. With exercise, the presence of skin folds in the body is lessened.

  1. Wear non-fitting clothes

Loose clothes allow proper circulation of air to the skin and making it less prone to moisture. It is also more comfortable to wear.

  1. Avoid wearing manmade fibers

Nylon as well as other manmade fibers should be avoided because it only traps moisture to the skin. Once moisture is trapped, it leads to the growth of intertrigo.

  1. Apply antifungal absorbent powder to affected areas everyday

The only way to treat the area is to keep it cool and dry. This can be done by applying the antifungal absorbent powder, keeping the area moisture free.

  1. Wash affected areas with the use of soap and water

Daily hygiene is important in avoiding fungal or any type of infections. The use of soap and water at the affected area helps remove the bacteria.

  1. Baby rash ointments like cod liver oil and shark liver oil are useful for rashes

These kinds of oil also help to dry up the affected part and at the same time treats the infection and the rashes.

Intertrigo Treatment

If you see a red oozing area of skin particularly in the overlapping moist sections of the skin where bacteria thrive right along the buttocks, genitals, inner thighs and under the breasts then it is a skin disorder that we call Candida Intertrigo.

Candida intertrigo or Intertrigo is borne out of fungus that grows in the moist areas of the skin. The ways of Intertrigo treatment are varied as it can be easily be remedied.

Sometimes intertrigo treatment can be dealt with by exercising hygiene. Since it is a fungus the bacteria grows in the skin which is not usually reached by washing. The treatment of intertrigo can begin by washing the skin folds preferably with an anti-bacterial soap to flush away the bacteria and fungus and mitigate the skin problem.

Intertrigo rashes symptoms

The treatment for intertrigo can also be undertaken with the use of topical imidazoles. These are anti-fungal ointments that are applied to the affected region of the skin. The effect of the medicine varies. Some cases one application of the medication is needed. Other cases you have to apply it for weeks. In some instances doctors will prescribe Oral fluconazole or what we call itraconazole.

Another way of treating Intertrigo is keeping dry. Moisture will just allow the fungus to thrive. Drying the affected area will kill the fungus thus inhibiting the spread of the skin disorder. In some areas of your body like the belly button you can use cotton swabs to dry the area. Another way is the use of absorbent powders to prevent moisture from building up.

Intertrigo can also be prevented by proper diet and exercise from studies conducted by the National Skin Care Institute, obese people have higher chances of developing Candida intertrigo. The obesity causes more skin to overlap which creates more areas suitable for growth of the fungi. Thus reducing your weight will ultimately lessen the areas of overlapping skin.

How to treat intertrigo? The answer is very easy; there is a combination of hygiene, administering topical treatments, keeping skin dry and keeping watch of our weight will do in preventing the skin disorder from spreading.