Intertrigo: prevention and treatment

What is intertrigo
Intertrigo is a common skin disease characterised by a red itchy rash forming in skin folds or where the skin rubs against clothing.
Although intertrigo itself is not an infection, it often creates a favourable environment for the growth of fungal, fungal and yeast infections (yeast intertrigo). In case of infection, the intertrigo smell accompanies.

Causes of intertrigo
The main causes of diaper rash include the following factors:
- skin rubbing against skin or clothing,
- moisture,
- heat,
- insufficient air circulation,
- obesity,
- certain diseases, e.g. diabetes,
- poor hygiene,
- prolonged sitting or lying down.

Symptoms of intertrigo
Symptoms of intertrigo are uncomfortable and sometimes painful. They include:
- Reddened skin and red spots,
- blisters,
- itching,
- moist skin,
- swollen areas,
- unpleasant odour.

Rash at intertrigo is most often found:
- in the folds of the neck,
- the armpits (the risk of intertrigo in the armpit is reduced by the use of antiperspirants and loose clothing),
- under the breasts or between the breasts (wearing a good quality bra is recommended),
- in the folds of the abdomen,
- between the buttocks (prolonged sitting, heat and inappropriate clothing all contribute to the appearance of buttock intertrigo),
- the groin (intrtrigo groin often occurs in athletes who sweat a lot and wear tight clothing),
- on the inner thighs,
- the genitals (genital diaper rash in adults is mainly caused by a combination of too-tight underwear and hot weather),
- between the toes and on the hands (red spots between the toes can be a sign of intertrigo).

Baby diaper rash
Diaper rash, even severe diaper rash, often forms in babies because their skin is delicate and also tends to be moist from drooling or wearing diapers.
What diaper rash looks like in babies
Just like in adults, diaper rash in babies is a red-coloured patch of skin that itches and burns. They are known as nappy dermatitis (depending on where they most commonly occur) and affect up to 50% of babies and toddlers. The most common areas where diaper rash occurs in babies include:
- buttocks and groin,
- the genitals,
- the neck and the skin under the neck,
- armpits and knee sockets.

What to do for diaper rash in babies
For baby diaper rash, it helps to clean the diaper area with lukewarm water, gently dry it or let it "air" in the air. Before you diaper your baby, use a topical product to prevent or treat diaper rash on the affected areas. Change your baby's nappy more often during the day and put loose clothing on.
Baby powder or baby powder works very well for diaper rash. You can also apply intertrigo creams or ointments containing panthenol or zinc, natural oils (almond, coconut) and extracts of herbs (chamomile, calendula, burdock) to the affected areas.

Other risk groups
In addition to young children, there are other groups of people who are more susceptible to intertrigo than others. These include:
Seniors
Intertripping in the elderly is quite common. This is because in older age, our bodies undergo a number of changes that make the skin more susceptible to diaper rash. These include impaired mobility throughout the body, loss of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat, dehydration, loss of skin elasticity and incontinence.
Pregnant women
Diaper rash in pregnancy is a common problem caused by increased sweating and changes in body weight that lead to more friction on the skin. Therefore, pregnant women should take care to maintain good hygiene, wear breathable clothing and regularly use soothing products for diaper rash.
Active athletes
Athletes are at higher risk of developing intertrigo due to sweating and skin rubbing against skin or clothing during physical activity (diaper rash is common in cyclists who spend long periods of time sitting on a bike). It is important to wear breathable and absorbent clothing that wicks away sweat and to shower as soon as possible after physical activity.

Prevention of intertrigo
Prevention is essential to minimise the risk of developing this unpleasant skin condition. Milan Junášek, M.D., says: "Prevention is very important, as this disease is caused by mechanical friction of the skin or chemical influences (e.g. sweat). If these influences are prevented, i.e. the skin is protected from friction by a bookmark, cotton underwear with a leg or the use of zinc paste with an antimicrobial and antifungal additive, it may not manifest itself at all. This is especially important in obese people where the pressure on the skin is greater."
In addition, dermatologists recommend applying these tips:

1. Keep the skin dry
For diaper rash, keeping the skin dry helps as a prevention, but also for those that have already formed. After bathing or showering, gently but thoroughly dry yourself, especially in the skin folds, or let the skin air dry.
2. Wear breathable clothing
Prefer clothing made of cotton or other breathable fabrics that allow air to circulate and moisture to escape.
3. Maintain an optimal body weight
Losing weight will reduce the number and depth of skin folds - minimising the risk of friction and diaper rash.
4. Maintain regular hygiene
Shower daily, especially after physical activity or excessive sweating. Use gentle, non-irritating cosmetic products and avoid over-washing, which can disrupt the skin's natural protective barrier.

Treatment of intertrigo

Treatment of intertrigo focuses on relieving the symptoms and eliminating the contributing causes. The course of treatment may vary depending on the severity of the condition.

Creams for intertrigo and ointments for diaper rash
Treat the wetting diaper rash with, for example, Imazole, which will dry the area while relieving the burning and pain. Once the diaper rash has dried, apply ointments with chamomile, calendula, panthenol, ichthyol or hemp or calcium ointment to promote healing.

To relieve itching, use creams, liquid powders or ointments for intertrigo containing zinc (zinc ointment), which prevents the growth and spread of yeast or fungi and forms a protective barrier on the skin.
Barrier creams, suitable for both prevention and treatment, also work for intertrigo. One of the best creams for adult and child diaper rash is Dermaguard. It creates an invisible barrier on the skin that protects it from external influences while moisturizing. You can order it from our e-shop.
Sprays for diaper rash
Sprays are usually applied to dried out diaper rash to further promote healing and protect the skin.
Antifungal and antibacterial creams
If the intertrigo is infected with bacteria or fungi, antifungal or antibacterial creams help.

Intertrigo treatments - other options
You can also try shea butter, which creates a protective film on the skin.  It is particularly suitable for the regeneration phase, when the skin needs to be moisturised and protected from drying out.
How long to treat diaper rash
After 2 to 4 days of applying creams or ointments and following the regimen, the intertrigo should start to subside. If, even after a week, the diaper rash does not heal, swells, blisters and does not get smaller, see a dermatologist.

Granny's advice on treating intertrigo
What is also guaranteed to work for diaper rash is grandmotherly advice. According to them, traditional herbs for diaper rash include calendula, burdock, chamomile, horsetail, lavender or sage.

How to use herbs for diaper rash
Herbs help relieve inflammation, itching and speed up skin healing. You can use them for a poultice or make a bath out of them.
Pour boiling water over the chosen herb and leave to infuse (the amount and duration of infusion may vary depending on the type of herb). Soak a gauze in the cooled decoction, wring out the excess liquid and apply the gauze to the affected area for about 5 to 10 minutes. You can repeat several times a day.
Follow the same procedure for preparing a diaper rash bath as for preparing the decoction. Pour the cooled, strained decoction into the bath (the strength of the decoction depends on the amount of water in the bath). Then immerse the affected area in the bath. Chamomile baths are popular because chamomile works wonders on diaper rash due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.
Our grandmothers used black tea to treat diaper rash. Brew strong black tea, let it cool, soak gauze in the tea and apply several times a day to the affected area.
Oak bark for diaper rash or coconut oil are also among the proven home remedies for diaper rash. Oak bark is anti-inflammatory, stops bleeding and speeds up healing, while coconut oil is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Conclusion
Prevention and early treatment is important for successful management of intertrigo. Keeping the skin dry, wearing breathable clothing and using appropriate products significantly reduces the risk of developing this condition.

Resources

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21693-intertrigo
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/intertrigo
https://www.lekarna.cz/clanek/opruzeniny-u-dospelych-co-na-ne-plati-a-jak-se-jim-vyhnout/