Intertrigo

Key Features

• Caused by the macerating effect of heat, moisture, friction

• Especially likely to occur in obese persons and in humid climates

Clinical Findings

• Symptoms are itching, stinging, burning

• Body folds develop fissures, erythema, maceration, and superficial denudation

• Candidiasis may complicate intertrigo

Diagnosis

• KOH preparation and Wood light to rule out Candida, tinea, and erythrasma

• Differential diagnosis

  • Candidiasis

  • Tinea cruris (jock itch)

  • Psoriasis of body folds ("inverse psoriasis")

  • Erythrasma

  • Cellulitis

  • Seborrheic dermatitis

  • Tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor; rarely)

  • Scratching resulting from pediculosis (lice)

  • Contact dermatitis

Treatment

• Maintain hygiene in the area, and keep it dry

• Compresses may be useful in acute cases

• Hydrocortisone 1% and an imidazole cream or nystatin cream are effective

• Recurrences are common