What is intertrigo Candidiásico and main causes

Candida intertrigo, also called intertriginous candidiasis, is a skin infection caused by the fungus of the genus Candida, which causes reddened, moist and cracked lesions. It usually occurs in areas of skin folds, such as groin, armpit, between the toes and under the breasts, as they are areas where there is accumulation of moisture from sweat and dirt, being more frequent in obese people or poor hygiene.

It is often difficult to differentiate this infection from a simple rash of the skin, caused by its friction in areas of humidity, therefore, in the presence of symptoms that indicate this alteration, it is important to consult with the dermatologist, for evaluation and indication of the treatment, with ointments based on corticosteroids, such as Dexamethasone, and antifungals such as Miconazole or Clotrimazole, for example.

This fungal infection happens most easily due to:

1. Accumulation of sweat and dirt in the folds of the skin, usually under the breasts, armpits and groin, especially in obese people;
2. Use of tight shoes, for a long time, that remain moist, a situation known as a chisel;
3. Wear tight clothing, or with synthetic materials, such as nylon and polyester, that rub against the skin;
4. Allergic dermatitis, caused by the use of cosmetics that cause allergy;
5. Erythema or diaper dermatitis, which is a rash caused by the contact of the baby's skin with heat, moisture or accumulation of urine and faeces, when he stays too long with the same diaper;
6. Pregnant women due to hormonal changes, which may facilitate fungal proliferation;
7. Diabetics without adequate control, therefore increased glycemia facilitates infections by funds, besides making skin scarring difficult;
8. Use of antibiotics, which decreases the population of bacteria in the skin, and facilitates the spread of fungi.

People who lose a lot of weight, such as after a bariatric surgery, may present this problem more easily, because excess skin facilitates friction and formation of rashes, so in these cases, repairing plastic surgery may be indicated.

How is the treatment done?

To treat candidiasis intertrigo, both adults and children, the dermatologist can guide the use of medications, such as:

• Ointments with corticosteroids, such as Dexamethasone or Hydrocortisone, for example, for 5 to 7 days, which decrease inflammation and symptoms;
• Antifungals in ointment, for about 2 to 3 weeks. Some examples include:
  • Ketoconazole;
  • Miconazole;
  • Clotrimazole;
  • Oxiconazole;
  • Nystatin.
• Antifungals in tablet, such as Ketoconazole, Itraconazole or Fluconazole, are used only in case of extensive and serious infections, for about 14 days, according to medical indication.

Zinc oxide-based rash ointments such as Hypoglossus or Bepantol, as well as talc, can also be used throughout the treatment to reduce rashes, reduce skin friction and facilitate healing. Learn more in Treatment for Intertrigo.

Home options

The home treatment is indicated for all cases, as a complement to the treatment indicated by the dermatologist, and to avoid new infections. Some tips are:

• Use powder in the folds to decrease moisture and friction of the skin;
• Wear light clothing that is not very fair;
• Prefer cotton clothing, especially socks and underwear, and do not wear clothes with synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester;
• Lose weight by avoiding excessive folds;
• Prefer airy and spacious shoes, decreasing the chances of chill;
• Put a piece of cotton or a thin cloth, like a gauze, on the affected areas and with a lot of secretion, to decrease the humidity .

In addition, it is recommended to dry the folds well, especially between the toes, after bathing, avoiding the humidity in the place.

How to identify candidiastic intertrigo

The main symptoms of this infection include:

• Redness of the affected region;
• Presence of rounded lesions close to the main lesion, called satellite lesions;
• Layer whitish around, or areas of flaking;
• Presence of moisture and secretion;
• There may be cracking on the affected skin.

For diagnosis of candidiasic intertrigo, the dermatologist will observe the appearance of the lesion or, if there is any doubt, it is possible to make the mycological examination, in which the fungus yeasts are identified after a small scraping of the skin