Intertrigo

By Denise M. Aaron, MD, New, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

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Intertrigo is skin maceration in intertriginous areas caused by moisture and/or infection.

Intertrigo develops when friction and trapped moisture in intertriginous areas cause skin maceration and inflammation with formation of patches or plaques. Infection by bacteria and yeast is also common. Typical locations are the inframammary, infrapannicular, interdigital, axillary, infragluteal, and genitocrural folds.

Diagnosis

Clinical evaluation

Diagnosis of intertrigo is based on clinical appearance; potassium hydroxide wet mounts and cultures can guide treatment.

Differential diagnosis of intertrigo includes

Tinea cruris (for inguinal intertrigo)
Candidiasis
Inverse psoriasis (psoriasis of intertriginous areas)

Treatment

Drying agents and sometimes topical antibacterial lotions or antifungal creams

If no bacteria or yeast are detected, drying agents should be therapeutic. Effective options include talc (rather than cornstarch, which can support fungal growth), Burow solution compresses, and super-absorbent powders.

If bacteria or yeast are present, topical antibacterial lotions or antifungal creams are given in addition to drying agents.

Last full review/revision April 2017 by Denise M. Aaron, MD