Intertrigo

Intertrigo is a very common and annoying cutaneous affection.

Cause of Intertrigo

Plethoric, debilitated and over-dressed individuals with hyperhidrosis and sedentary habits are most prone to intertrigo, but in tropical heat, anyone can develop this complaint. In the author's experience, people in good health, of normal weight, who wear comfortable clothes in the day allowing the free passage of air, and loose garments at night, and who do some exercise in cool, fresh air, usually escape intertrigo.

Intertrigo is an uncommon condition amongst the poor who live in the open. Friction caused by opposing surfaces or ill-fitting underclothing, heat and retention of sweat, are the important local etiological factors. The disease is most prevalent in the summer in hot tropical countries. Diabetes and gout are two other predisposing causes.

Differential diagnosis of Intertrigo

It is made from tinea cruris. Here, the characteristic clinical features are: marked itching, sparing of the deepest angle of opposing folds, and inflammatory border of vesicles and pustules. The microscopic evidence of fungus is conclusive.

Prognosis of Intertrigo

The prognosis is good if the disease is treated by an expert and the patient is co-operative unless there is predisposing seborrhoea, obesity and diabetes.