Intertrigo Treatment & Management

  • Author: Samuel T Selden; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Oct 11, 2010
 

Medical Care

Correcting the causative factors of intertrigo is critical.

Take steps to eliminate friction, heat, and maceration by keeping folds cool and dry. Note the following:

  • These steps can be accomplished by using air conditioning and absorbent powders and by exposing skin folds to the air.
  • Compresses with Burow solution 1:40, dilute vinegar, or wet tea bags often are effective, especially if followed by fanning or cool blow-drying.
  • Skin surfaces in deep folds can be kept separated with cotton or linen cloth; however, be sure to avoid tight, occlusive, or chafing clothing or dressings. Moisture-wicking undergarments are helpful.
  • Where appropriate, antimycotic agents (miconazole, clotrimazole) are helpful, especially if used with a mild- to mid- potency (class III-VI) steroid for a short duration. Avoid using stronger topical steroids because the occlusive effect of skin folds can accelerate the development of skin atrophy and striae.
  • Castellani paint (carbol-fuchsin paint) also can be helpful.

Formulations combining protective agents, antimicrobials, and topical steroids may be helpful, including the following:

  • Triple Paste comprises petrolatum, zinc oxide paste, and aluminum acetate (Burow) solution applied qs ad (in a sufficient quantity).
  • Greer goo is composed of nystatin (Mycostatin) powder 4 million U, hydrocortisone powder 1.2 g, and zinc oxide paste 4 oz applied qs ad (in a sufficient quantity).
  • A thick coat of these protective barrier creams should be applied.
  • Commercially available barrier pastes sold for diaper dermatitis (eg, Desitin) can be helpful, as can absorbent diapers.
  • Tetrix, a prescription dimethicone barrier cream, may be more protective and less greasy than traditional petrolatum-based barrier products such as zinc oxide ointment.

Open-toed shoes or sandals may help reduce toe web-space moisture.

Proceed to Medication
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Samuel T Selden  MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Eastern Virginia Medical School; Consulting Staff, Chesapeake General Hospital; Private Practice

Samuel T Selden is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Franklin Flowers, MD  Chief, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Medicine and Otolaryngology, Affiliate Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine

Franklin Flowers, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul Krusinski, MD  Director of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  11. Arnold HL, Odom RB, James WD. Intertrigo. In: Andrew's Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1990:285.

  12. Clark RA, Hopkins TT. Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1992:485-89.

  13. Jansen GT, Dillaha CJ, Honeycutt WM. Intertrigo. In: Clinical Dermatology. Hagerstown, Md: Harper & Row; 1979.

  14. Kaya TI, Delialioglu N, Yazici AC, Tursen U, Ikizoglu G. Medical pearl: Blue underpants sign--a diagnostic clue for Pseudomonas aeruginosa intertrigo of the groin. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 2005;53(5):869-71. [Medline].

  15. White GM. Regional Dermatology. Chicago, Ill: Mosby-Wolfe; 1994.

 
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