Red skin folds, you know? Let's talk about Intertrigo! (Intertrigo)

Sometimes you may have felt it, right? The areas where the skin touches each other, such as the armpits, neck folds, and groin, become red and feel very itchy and uncomfortable when you sweat. In small babies, this also comes as 'diaper rash'. In medicine, we call this Intertrigo. It's nothing to be afraid of, but if not properly understood and cared for, it can lead to infections. So, let's talk about everything in a simple way today.

Simply put, what is Intertrigo?

Intertrigo is a very common skin condition. It occurs in the folds of our skin, due to friction. Think of a place like our armpits and groin. In these places, two pieces of skin are constantly rubbing together and rubbing. When we sweat, moisture accumulates in those places. Then those pieces of skin start to stick together. When this continues to rub, the skin becomes damaged and becomes red, inflamed, and itchy. That's what we call intertrigo .

But the most important thing to understand here is that Intertrigo is not a fungal or bacterial infection. It is an inflammatory condition of the skin.

However, when the skin is damaged like this, bacteria and fungi that normally live on the surface of our skin can easily enter and create a perfect environment for growth. Because those places are warm and moist. So these microorganisms start to multiply rapidly there. That's when a secondary infection occurs. When our immune system responds to this, the redness and inflammation increase.

Where on the body can intertrigo occur?

Intertrigo occurs anywhere the skin rubs together and is moist. The most common areas where it is seen are:

• In the folds of the neck
• Under the armpit
• Women's names under the breasts or between the breasts
• Between the folds of the stomach (especially in obese people)
• Between the buttocks
• In the Ikili area
• Between the thighs
• Between the fingers and toes

This is special for little babies.

Young babies are more likely to develop this condition because their skin is very delicate. Also, because of saliva leakage and the use of diapers, their skin may be constantly wet. This is most common in babies:

• Diaper rash: This is commonly called 'diaper rash'. This is also a form of intertrigo.
• Between the folds of the neck: When you drink milk and saliva, moisture accumulates in these areas.
• Between the muscle folds in the arms and legs.

Are there different types of intertrigo?

Yes, doctors use different names for intertrigo depending on where it occurs, when it occurs, and whether or not there is an infection. Your doctor may use one or two of these words, so let's keep it simple.

Is this contagious? Will it spread to other parts of the body?

Intertrigo does not spread from one area of ​​the body to another. This is because the skin must be touching each other to develop. However, if an infection occurs due to intertrigo, it can spread to other areas of the body and cause serious complications. Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor immediately if you have signs of an infection.

What are the symptoms of this?

Symptoms depend on the severity of the condition and whether or not there is an infection.

How does the doctor recognize this?

Often, a doctor can diagnose intertrigo just by looking at your skin. The doctor will ask you about your medical history, medications, and soaps you use.

But if you suspect an infection, you can do a few small tests to find out exactly what microorganism is causing it.

• Skin scraping: A small instrument scrapes a small amount of skin from the surface of the wound and examines it under a microscope. This can help determine whether the infection is caused by a fungus or bacteria.
• Wood's lamp examination: In this, a special black light is held up to the wound in a dark room. Some bacteria or fungi glow in different colors under this light.
• Skin biopsy: Sometimes, if the diagnosis is unclear, a very small piece of skin is taken and sent for testing.

What are the remedies for intertrigo?

The treatment method depends on whether you have an infection or not.

Things you can do at home if you don't have an infection

The main thing is to keep the affected area dry, clean, and cool .

• Dry thoroughly: After bathing, pat dry thoroughly with a clean towel, especially in the folds of the skin. Do not rub the towel, but pat it dry.
• Use cool air: Use a fan or hair dryer on the 'cool' setting to blow air on the area several times a day.
• Wear loose clothing: Wear clothes that are not tight and made of sweat-absorbing fabrics like cotton.
• Sweat control: Use a mild antiperspirant (deodorant) for areas like the armpits and under the breasts.
• Use powder: You can apply a drying agent like talcum powder to the area. But remember, if you are applying a cream, don't apply powder at the same time. The two will combine to form a sticky paste.
• Keeping the skin separate: You can reduce skin sticking together by placing a piece of clean gauze or cotton cloth between the areas where the skin is touching.

Other things the doctor may recommend

• Skin barrier creams: Creams containing zinc oxide or petroleum jelly create a protective layer on the skin's surface and reduce friction.
• Topical steroid cream: Your doctor may recommend a mild steroid cream to reduce inflammation and redness.
• Antifungal/antibacterial cream: Even if there is no infection, this type of cream may be recommended to control the spread of microorganisms. However, it is always best to use these under medical advice.

Treatment if there is an infection

At this point, medical treatment is definitely needed. The doctor will determine whether the infection is caused by a fungus or bacteria and provide the appropriate treatment.

• Antifungal cream: If it is a fungal infection, a special antifungal cream will be applied.
• Antibiotic cream: If it is a bacterial infection, an appropriate antibiotic cream will be given.
• Oral medication: Sometimes, if the infection is severe, oral antibiotics or antifungal medications may be prescribed.

Is this condition dangerous? Can complications occur?

Most of the time, this is not dangerous. If treated properly, it can be cured. However, if left untreated, especially if there is an infection, some complications can occur.

• Fungal nail infections: If an intertrigo infection between the toes is not treated properly, it can spread to the nails.
• Cellulitis: This is a serious bacterial infection that goes deep into the skin. It can be life-threatening if not treated properly. People with diabetes are at higher risk.
• Sepsis: An untreated infection that spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream. This is a very serious condition that requires emergency medical treatment.

What factors increase the risk of developing intertrigo?

• Obesity: As the body grows, the skin folds increase, sweating increases, and it can be difficult to keep those areas clean.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes may sweat more. Also, uncontrolled sugar levels can change the pH of the skin, creating a favorable environment for microorganisms to grow.
• Excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis): Some people naturally sweat excessively and are also at higher risk.
• Incontinence: In elderly or sick people, this condition can cause intertrigo, which can lead to frequent wetness.
• Hot and humid climate: Living in a country like Sri Lanka, this risk is greater for us.
• Age: This condition is more common in young children and the elderly.

When should we definitely see a doctor?

Seek immediate medical advice, especially in these cases:

• If you have signs of infection (bad odor, pus).
• If the condition does not improve or worsens after home care.
• If you experience this condition repeatedly , talk to your doctor about finding the cause and ways to prevent it.

Intertrigo, skin folds, skin diseases, inflammation, itching, diaper rash, skin rash sinhala, diaper rash sinhala, chafing sinhala