Intertrigo

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Intertrigo
Axillary intertrigo.png
Axillary intertrigo (bacterial)
Pronunciation
Specialty Dermatology   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Intertrigo refers to a type of inflammatory rash (dermatitis) of the superficial skin that occurs within a person's body folds. [1] These areas are more susceptible to irritation and subsequent infection due to factors that promote skin breakdown such as moisture, friction, and exposure to bodily secretions and excreta such as sweat, urine, or feces. [1] Areas of the body which are more likely to be affected by intertrigo include the inframammary fold, intergluteal cleft, armpits, and spaces between the fingers or toes. Skin affected by intertrigo is more prone to infection than intact skin. [1]

Contents

The term "intertrigo" commonly refers to a secondary infection with bacteria (such as Corynebacterium minutissimum ), fungi (such as Candida albicans ), or viruses. A frequent manifestation is candidal intertrigo.

Intertrigo occurs more often in warm and humid conditions. Generally, intertrigo is more common in people with a weakened immune system including children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people. [1] The condition is also more common in people who experience urinary incontinence and decreased ability to move. [1]

Cause

Bacterial

Bacterial intertrigo can be caused by Streptococci and Corynebacterium minutissimum . [1] [2]

Diagnosis

Intertrigo can be diagnosed clinically by a medical professional after taking a thorough history and performing a detailed physical examination. Many other skin conditions can mimic intertrigo's appearance including erythrasma, inverse psoriasis, scabies, pyoderma, atopic dermatitis, candidiasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and fungal infections of the superficial skin like Tinea versicolor or Tinea corporis . [1]

Treatment

Greases, oils, and barrier ointments [3] may help by protecting skin from moisture and from friction. [4]

Intertrigo is also a known symptom of vitamin B6 deficiency. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axilla</span> Area of the human body beneath the joint between arm and torso

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<i>Corynebacterium minutissimum</i> Species of bacterium

Corynebacterium minutissimum is a species of Corynebacterium associated with erythrasma, a type of skin rash. It can be distinguished from similar-appearing rashes by exposing the area to the light of a Wood's lamp; C. minutissimum produces porphyrins that fluoresce coral-red.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hailey–Hailey disease</span> Medical condition

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<i>Malassezia furfur</i> Species of fungus

Malassezia furfur is a species of yeast that is naturally found on the skin surfaces of humans and some other mammals. It is associated with a variety of dermatological conditions caused by fungal infections, notably seborrhoeic dermatitis and tinea versicolor. As an opportunistic pathogen, it has further been associated with dandruff, malassezia folliculitis, pityriasis versicolor (alba), and malassezia intertrigo, as well as catheter-related fungemia and pneumonia in patients receiving hematopoietic transplants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streptococcal intertrigo</span> Medical condition

Streptococcal intertrigo is a skin condition that is secondary to a streptococcal bacterial infection. It is often seen in infants and young children and can be characterized by a fiery-red color of the skin, foul odor with an absence of satellite lesions, and skin softening in the neck, armpits or folds of the groin. Newborn children and infants commonly develop intertrigo because of physical features such as deep skin folds, short neck, and flexed posture. Prompt diagnosis by a medical professional and treatment with topical and/or oral antibiotics can effectively relieve symptoms.

Perianal cellulitis, also known as perianitis or perianal streptococcal dermatitis, is a bacterial infection affecting the lower layers of the skin (cellulitis) around the anus. It presents as bright redness in the skin and can be accompanied by pain, difficulty defecating, itching, and bleeding. This disease is considered a complicated skin and soft tissue infection (cSSTI) because of the involvement of the deeper soft tissues.

Two feet-one hand syndrome(TFOHS), is a long-term fungal condition where athlete's foot or fungal toe nail infections in both feet is associated with tinea manuum in one hand. Often the feet are affected for several years before symptoms of a diffuse scaling rash on the palm of one hand appear, which is when most affected people then seek medical help.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kalra, MG; Higgins, KE; Kinney, BS (April 2014). "Intertrigo and secondary skin infections". American Family Physician. 89 (7): 569–73. PMID   24695603.
  2. Tüzün, Y; Wolf, R; Engin, B; Keçici, AS; Kutlubay, Z (July–August 2015). "Bacterial infections of the folds (intertriginous areas)". Clinics in Dermatology (Review). 33 (4): 420–8. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2015.04.003. PMID   26051056.
  3. Bodkhe RB, Shrestha SB, Unertl K, Fetzik J, McNulty AK. Comparing the physical performance of liquid barrier films. Skin Res Technol. 2021 Mar 24. doi: 10.1111/srt.13038. Online ahead of print. PMID   33760305
  4. Alison Parnham, Dale Copson, Tanya Loban. Moisture-associated skin damage: causes and an overview of assessment, classification and management. Br J Nurs. 2020 Jun 25;29(12):S30-S37. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2020.29.12.S30. PMID   32579457
  5. Tong, Y (2014). "Seizures caused by pyridoxine (vitamin B6) deficiency in adults: A case report and literature review". Intractable Rare Dis Res. 3 (2): 52–6. doi:10.5582/irdr.2014.01005. PMC   4204538 . PMID   25343127.