Intertrigo - Skin Yeast Infection
A lot of people don't realise that they have all sorts of micro-organisms living on their skin. These organisms include yeasts which don't usually do any harm but in the right circumstances can become a problem.
Yeasts only become an infection when they begin to multiply in such numbers that they irritate the body. Folds of skin can create the perfect conditions for a population explosion. Intertrigo is used to describe a rash in body folds caused by any micro-organism but the most common culprit is the form of yeast called Candida albicans. The condition is also sometimes referred to as sweat rash.
Folds produce pockets of warm, moist skin that allow the Candida to grow faster causing an infection to start. Any areas of the body that has skin touching skin is at risk. These include the armpits, the groin, underneath the breasts as well as in folds of excess fat.
The warmer and sweatier these areas become the more the risk of an infection increases. This makes summer a particularly bad time for candida intertrigo as it's difficult to stop sweating on hot days. Sporting activities can also produce high levels of sweating.
Intertrigo produces a red, shiny looking rash with scaling round the edges. It may also be very itchy and ooze. Here is a LINK to some candida intertrigo pictures to give you some idea what it looks like.
If you find that you're prone to outbreaks of intertrigo then there are certain things you can do to help reduce the risk of an outbreak.
Keep the area clean by washing once or twice a day remembering to thoroughly dry the problem area. Pat the skin dry, don't rub and don't over wash as these actions can irritate the skin.
Wear loose clothing, so tight jeans are out if you get intertrigo in the groin area.
Go for natural fabrics like cotton that allow the skin to breath. Some sports' clothing use synthetics that 'wick' moisture away from the body which can be useful.
If you have large breasts make sure you've got a properly fitted bra so it doesn't rub or bite into the skin. Go for cotton if possible and leave the sexy, synthetic fabric bras for special occasions not for everyday wear.
Change any clothing that comes into direct contact with your skin daily.
If you're overweight then you're more at risk of getting intertrigo so losing weight will be of benefit.
Expose your skin to air so strip off on hot days (probably best done at home!) and sit yourself down in front of a fan to help cool the skin. Applying dilute vinegar solution, or wet tea bags to the skin just before you switch on the fan can help soothe the skin.
If you've got an outbreak of candida intertrigo there are over the counter medications that you can use to get rid of the problem. The most common active ingredients are Clotrimazole and Miconazole. The choice of which to use is down to personal choice as both seem to work equally well. Remember to always read the instructions thoroughly and check with your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Canesten Cream contains 1% Clotrimazole and should be applied 2 or 3 times a day and can be used in the genital area.
For very itchy and inflamed infections Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream contains Hydrocortisone in addition to the Clotrimazole, the former soothing the inflammation and the latter killing off the infection. It shouldn't be used for more than 7 days and shouldn't be applied to broken skin.
For mild outbreaks Canesten Powder can be used. Just sprinkle on the affected areas 2 or 3 times a day. The powder will also help absorb the excessive moisture that encourages the yeasts to grow. There is even a spray that can be used to help cool the infection.
Daktarin Gold Cream contains 2% Ketoconazole and should be applied twice daily for up to 10 days. This is good for mild outbreaks and for treating sensitive areas like the groin.
Daktarin Cream contains 2% Miconazole nitrate and should be applied to the skin twice a day for up to 10 days after the symptoms have gone. This is a stronger treatment than the gold cream but can still be used for the groin area. Don't use on broken skin.
If the skin is particularly inflamed then there's Daktacort HC Cream which has Hydrocortisone acetate in addition to 2% Miconazole nitrate. This cream should only be used for 7 days and shouldn't be used on broken skin, on large areas of the body or in the genital area.
If after using OTC products the symptoms still persist you should see a doctor as a secondary bacterial infection may have set in.