skin disorders
Intertrigo
Introduction
Intertrigo is irritation and breakdown of skin (maceration) in areas where two skin surfaces rub together. Sometimes bacterial or yeast infections develop. The diagnosis is based on the location and appearance of the rash and sometimes on an analysis of skin scrapings and culture to look for infection. Treatment is aimed at drying the skin and eliminating infections. (See also Overview of Fungal Skin Infections .) Intertrigo develops when the combination of friction and trapped moisture softens and irritates the skin and causes it to break down. This breakdown often leads to infection by yeast or bacteria. The affected area is red, irritated, itchy, or a combination. The areas most commonly affected are warm, moist areas such as under the breasts, between folds of belly fat, between the fingers or toes, the underarms, below the buttocks, and the groin. Intertrigo commonly occurs in people who have obesity or sweat excessively and in people in whom clothing chafes the skin or traps moisture. 