Intertrigo Examination: Its Characteristics, Causes, and Additional Details
### Managing Intertrigo: A Comprehensive Approach to Treating Skin Irritation
Intertrigo, a common skin condition that affects skin folds, is often caused by moisture, heat, lack of air circulation, and friction. This article provides an overview of the treatment options for intertrigo and its associated secondary infections, drawing on expert recommendations from the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology and other reputable sources.
#### Treatment for Intertrigo
The primary focus in managing intertrigo is maintaining dryness and cleanliness in affected skin folds. This includes showering after sweating, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and keeping the affected area clean and dry[1].
Topical antifungal medications, such as azoles (e.g., clotrimazole, miconazole) and polyenes (e.g., nystatin), are commonly used to treat fungal infections associated with intertrigo[1][3]. In more severe cases, oral antifungal agents may be prescribed[3].
If there is a secondary bacterial infection, treatment with topical or oral antibiotics is appropriate[3][4]. Common topical antimicrobials include clindamycin, gentamicin, mupirocin, and Castellani paint[4].
Mild topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone ointment, can help reduce irritation and inflammation, but should be used cautiously to avoid further skin atrophy or fungal overgrowth[2][3].
Cleansing with agents that have anti-yeast and antibacterial properties can help reduce microbial load in the affected area[2]. Additionally, using fragrance-free moisturizers, applying skin barrier ointments in patients prone to moisture retention or incontinence, and avoiding products with alcohol or dyes can help reduce irritation and allergic reactions[3].
#### Management of Associated Secondary Infections
For fungal infections, topical azoles or polyenes remain first-line treatments. Oral antifungals are reserved for more extensive or resistant cases[1][3].
For bacterial infections such as cellulitis or impetigo complicating intertrigo, systemic antibiotic therapy may be necessary. Agents may include oral penicillins (amoxicillin), cephalexin, dicloxacillin, or clindamycin[3][5].
Severe or necrotizing bacterial infections require urgent intravenous antibiotics and possible surgical intervention, but this is rare in typical intertrigo cases[5].
#### Additional Supportive Measures
In simple cases of intertrigo, a doctor may recommend using drying agents such as antiperspirants, drying the skin effectively with a soft towel after bathing, applying triple paste with aluminum acetate, zinc oxide, and petrolatum, wearing loose clothing, working in an air-conditioned environment, applying wet tea bags, using petroleum jelly (for diaper rash), or placing a wad of absorbent material in the affected fold to absorb sweat[1].
Anyone who finds that the problem keeps coming back should speak to a doctor. Intertrigo can affect various parts of the body, including the neck, abdomen, groin, back, upper leg, behind the knees, between the buttocks, webs of the fingers, and webs of the toes[1]. If intertrigo is accompanied by an infection, a doctor may prescribe topical creams or oral medication such as mupirocin, bacitracin, flucloxacillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, oxiconazole, or miconazole[1].
A specialist skin doctor or dermatologist usually diagnoses intertrigo by examining the patient and asking questions about their symptoms[1]. It's important to note that intertrigo is not a yeast infection but can lead to a yeast infection (known as a secondary infection). Candida is a common yeast infection associated with intertrigo[1].
References:
[1] American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. (n.d.). Intertrigo. Retrieved from https://www.aocd.org/skin/conditions/intertrigo/
[2] Sperling, L. A. (2018). Intertrigo. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK533193/
[3] Tanghetti, E. P., & Schlosser, B. J. (2017). Dermatology Secrets: A Practical Guide to Clinical Dermatology. Elsevier.
[4] Tosti, A., & Koo, B. P. (2016). Hair and Scalp Disorders. In Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine (8th ed., pp. 1137-1160). McGraw-Hill Education.
[5] Koo, B. P., & Tosti, A. (2016). Dermatologic Manifestations of Systemic Disease. In Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine (8th ed., pp. 1227-1255). McGraw-Hill Education.
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