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Intertrigo

 

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Intertrigo



 
 
An intertrigo is an inflammation
Inflammation

Inflammation is the complex biological response of Blood vessel tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue....
 (rash
Rash

A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin....
) of the body folds (adjacent areas of skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
).

An intertrigo sometimes refers to a bacteria
Bacteria

The Bacteria are a large group of unicellular microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals....
l, fungal
Fungus

A fungus is a Eukaryote organism that is a member of the Kingdom Fungi . The fungi are a monophyletic group, also called the Eumycota , that is phylogeny distinct from the morphologically similar slime molds and water molds ....
, or viral
Virus

A virus is a Optical microscope#Limitations of light microscopes infectious agent that is unable to grow or reproduce outside a host cell . Viruses infect all cellular life....
 infection
Infection

An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. In an infection, the infecting organism seeks to utilize the host resources to multiply ....
 that has developed at the site of broken skin due to such inflammation.

An intertrigo usually develops from the chafing of warm, moist skin in the areas of the inner thigh
Thigh

In human anatomy the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the Human leg.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur....
s and genitalia, the armpits, under the breast
Breast

The breast is the upper ventral region of an animal?s torso, particularly that of mammals, including human beings. The breasts of a female primate?s body contain the mammary glands, which secrete milk used to feed infants....
s, the underside of the belly
Human abdomen

The human abdomen is the part of the body between the pelvis and the chest. Anatomically, the abdomen stretches from the thorax at the thoracic diaphragm to the pelvis at the pelvic brim....
, behind the ear
Ear

The ear is the sense organ that detects sounds. The vertebrate ear shows a common biology from fish to humans, with variations in structure according to order and species....
s, and the web spaces between the toe
Toe

Toes are the Digit s of the foot of an animal. Many animal species such as cats walk on their toes, and are described as being digitigrade....
s and finger
Finger

A finger is a type of digit , an organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates.Normally humans have five digits, termed phalanges, on each hand ....
s.






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Encyclopedia


An intertrigo is an inflammation
Inflammation

Inflammation is the complex biological response of Blood vessel tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue....
 (rash
Rash

A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin....
) of the body folds (adjacent areas of skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
).

An intertrigo sometimes refers to a bacteria
Bacteria

The Bacteria are a large group of unicellular microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals....
l, fungal
Fungus

A fungus is a Eukaryote organism that is a member of the Kingdom Fungi . The fungi are a monophyletic group, also called the Eumycota , that is phylogeny distinct from the morphologically similar slime molds and water molds ....
, or viral
Virus

A virus is a Optical microscope#Limitations of light microscopes infectious agent that is unable to grow or reproduce outside a host cell . Viruses infect all cellular life....
 infection
Infection

An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. In an infection, the infecting organism seeks to utilize the host resources to multiply ....
 that has developed at the site of broken skin due to such inflammation.

An intertrigo usually develops from the chafing of warm, moist skin in the areas of the inner thigh
Thigh

In human anatomy the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the Human leg.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur....
s and genitalia, the armpits, under the breast
Breast

The breast is the upper ventral region of an animal?s torso, particularly that of mammals, including human beings. The breasts of a female primate?s body contain the mammary glands, which secrete milk used to feed infants....
s, the underside of the belly
Human abdomen

The human abdomen is the part of the body between the pelvis and the chest. Anatomically, the abdomen stretches from the thorax at the thoracic diaphragm to the pelvis at the pelvic brim....
, behind the ear
Ear

The ear is the sense organ that detects sounds. The vertebrate ear shows a common biology from fish to humans, with variations in structure according to order and species....
s, and the web spaces between the toe
Toe

Toes are the Digit s of the foot of an animal. Many animal species such as cats walk on their toes, and are described as being digitigrade....
s and finger
Finger

A finger is a type of digit , an organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates.Normally humans have five digits, termed phalanges, on each hand ....
s. An intertrigo usually appears red and raw-looking, and may also itch, ooze, and be sore. Intertrigos occur more often among overweight
Obesity

Obesity is a condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an extent that health may be negatively affected. It is commonly defined as a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher....
 individuals, those with diabetes, those restricted to bed rest
Bed rest

Bed rest is a doctor's prescription to spend a longer period of time in bed....
 or diaper
Diaper

A diaper or nappy is a sponge-like garment which people wear who are incapable of controlling their Urinary bladder or bowel movements, or are unable or unwilling to use a toilet....
 use, and those who use medical devices, like artificial limbs, that trap moisture against the skin. Also, there are several skin diseases that can cause an intertrigo to develop, such as dermatitis
Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a blanket term meaning any "inflammation of the skin" . There are several different types of dermatitis. The different kinds usually have in common an allergic reaction to specific allergens....
 or inverse psoriasis
Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious autoimmune disease which affects the skin and joints. It commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin....
.

Treatments

In general, treatment for all skin rashes, less is more, and consult a dermatologist if it persists for more than a week. Infections can be treated with a topical and/or oral medication(s). The most common treatment being a baby diaper rash
Diaper rash

Diaper rash or nappy rash , is a generic term applied to skin rashes in the diaper area that are caused by various skin disorders and/or irritants....
 ointment such as a topical zinc oxide
Zinc oxide

Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound with the Chemical formula ZnO. It usually appears as a white powder, nearly insoluble in water. The powder is widely used as an additive into numerous materials and products including plastics, ceramics, glass, cement, rubber , lubricants, paints, ointments, adhesives, sealants, pigments, foods , batteries,...
 cream. Some commonly available over the counter
Over-the-counter drug

Over-the-counter drugs are medications that may be sold to a customer without a medical prescription. The term "over-the-counter" is somewhat counter-intuitive, since these items can often be found on the shelves of stores and bought like any other packaged product in some countries in contrast to prescription drug which are more likely to l...
 brand names: Sudocrem, Desitin, and Balmex. There are also many other generic diaper rash
Diaper rash

Diaper rash or nappy rash , is a generic term applied to skin rashes in the diaper area that are caused by various skin disorders and/or irritants....
 creams that may work. Also for a persistent intertrigo infection it is common for an anti-fungal cream, most commonly clotrimazole
Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication commonly used in the treatment of fungal infections of both humans and animals such as candidiasis and ringworm....
 1%, to be used in conjunction with a diaper rash ointment.

It is suggested to use a paper towel to apply the zinc oxide cream and/or anti-fungal ointment(s) to avoid excessive hand washing, as it is very difficult to wash zinc oxide ointment from the hands because it resists water. Other ingredients in baby rash ointments that are beneficial to relief of intertrigo is cod liver oil
Cod liver oil

Cod liver oil is a dietary supplement derived from liver of cod. It has high levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid, and very high levels of vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E....
 and shark liver oil
Shark liver oil

Shark liver oil is obtained from sharks that are caught for food purposes and are living in cold, deep oceans. The liver oil from sharks has been used by fishermen for centuries as a folk remedy for general health....
. These oils are also available in pill forms that may also help the infection (see links).

Hydrocortisone available at drug stores and over the counter in low dosages is beneficial in relieving the pain and symptoms of the infection but is not curative.

Keeping the area of the intertrigo dry and exposed to the air
AIR

Air is the part of Earth's atmosphere that humans breath and as such Air .Air may also refer to:...
 can help prevent recurrences. If the individual is overweight, losing weight
Weight loss

Weight loss, in the context of medicine or health or physical fitness, is a reduction of the total body weight, due to a mean loss of fluid, body fat or adipose tissue and/or lean mass, namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon and other connective tissue....
 can help. Using antibacterial soap, surrounding the skin with absorbent cotton
Cotton

Cotton is a soft, staple fiber that grows in a form known as a boll around the seeds of the cotton plant a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, India and Africa....
 or a band of cotton fabric
Textile

A textile is a flexible material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by Spinning raw wool fibres, linen, cotton, or other material on a spinning wheel to produce long strands known as yarn....
, and treating the skin with absorbent body powders and even antiperspirants (with caution: do not apply it directly on the intertrigo because it will hurt) will all help prevent future occurrences. Relapses of intertrigos are common, however, and require periodic care
Health care

File:Ear surgery on a patient.jpgFile:Monoclonal antibodies3.jpgHealth care, or healthcare, refers to the treatment and management of illness, and the preservation of health through services offered by the Medicine, pharmaceutical, Dentistry, clinical laboratory sciences , nursing, and allied health professions....
 from a dermatologist
Dermatology

Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and Skin disease, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. The name of this specialty originated in the form of the words dermologie and, a little later, dermatologia ....
.

Prescription Medicines

These prescriptions are very dangerous and are usually only prescribed by a doctor for extreme cases.
  • Grifulvin V
  • Griseofulvin
    Griseofulvin

    Griseofulvin is an antifungal drug. It is used both in animals and in humans, to treat ringworm infections of the skin and nails. It is derived from the mold Penicillium griseofulvum....


See also

  • Diaper rash
    Diaper rash

    Diaper rash or nappy rash , is a generic term applied to skin rashes in the diaper area that are caused by various skin disorders and/or irritants....
  • List of skin diseases
    List of skin diseases

    Dermatosis , a noun, is defined as "any disease of the skin," and, while thousands of skin disorders have been described, only a small number account for most visits to the doctor....


External links

  • (by Samuel Selden, M.D.)
  • (by Audrey Kunin, M.D.)