Intertrigo - Cause, symptoms and treatment of the skin wolf
Dr. Anja Loose-Roland
Updated on 02. November 2023
Many people are familiar with the expression "running a wolf". The name goes back to the disease skin wolf, medically called intertrigo. This is a superficial skin disease caused by friction of the skin during movement.
Intertrigo Brief overview:
- Causes: Friction of moist warm skin on skin
- Symptoms: Redness and swelling
- Prevention: Avoid skin-to-skin contact
- Treatment: Treatment of the symptoms, if necessary with medication
What is the definition of intertrigo?
Intertrigo is a superficial irritation and breakdown of the skin. The cause of this skin condition is the rubbing together of moist skin areas.
What are the symptoms of intertrigo?
Intertrigo causes injuries to the upper layers of the skin due to friction. The most characteristic symptoms of this skin disease are:
- Redness and swelling
- Itching and tingling
- Burning sensation, mainly when sweating
- Pain, especially when touched
- Discharge with crusting
- Pustules and poplars
Not all symptoms necessarily occur. Usually, intertrigo starts with reddened and swollen skin in the affected area. If these areas are not treated, the symptoms can get worse. As a result, infections with bacteria or yeast fungi such as Candida albincans often occur.
What is the cause of intertrigo?
Intertrigo is a skin infection caused by contact with warm, moist areas of the skin. The moist warmth makes the skin more sensitive. If these areas rub against each other during movements such as walking, hiking or jogging, chafing occurs, which can become infected.
On which parts of the body does intertrigo prefer to occur?
A dermal wolf develops in places where moist skin can rub against each other. That is why skin folds are particularly affected. Locations at risk for intertrigo are:
- Groin: At the groin, the abdomen and thighs merge and wrinkles appear in the skin when sitting.
- Armpits: Warmth and moisture provide ideal conditions for a skin wolf during movement.
- Breast: Intertrigo occurs more often under the breast in women because the skin there is quickly irritated because of the bra.
- Genital and anal areas: The warm, moist environment in these areas softens the skin and allows intertrigo to develop.
- Abdominal folds: In overweight individuals, moisture can collect in the abdominal folds, leading to intertrigo when there is friction.
- Thighs: During sports, the insides of the thighs can rub against each other, triggering a skin tangle.
What are the risk factors for intertrigo?
Intertrigo can develop in anyone regardless of age and fitness. Some risk factors for developing intertrigo are:
- Obesity: moisture quickly accumulates in body folds, softening the skin.
- Sports: Sweating during sports leads to increased skin moisture and triggers intertrigo when there is friction. This is especially true for hiking, jogging, and cycling.
- Tight clothing: Tight-fitting clothing can restrict air circulation and trap moisture on the body.
- Inadequate hygiene: If moist skin is not properly cleaned and dried, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.
- Diseases: People with impaired immune function and diabetes are at increased risk for intertrigo.
- Babies: Newborns and babies have many skin folds, especially on the neck and legs. At the same time, the skin is sensitive. If moist areas are not dried properly, redness and infections develop quickly.
- Skin diseases: People with existing skin diseases such as psoriasis and neurodermatitis are more likely to suffer from intertrigo.
- Excess skin: Due to heavy weight loss, many skin folds form in which moisture can collect.
How is intertrigo treated?
The treatment of intertrigo depends on the severity of the disease. In the initial stage with redness and itching, the symptoms are mainly treated. If an infection with bacteria or a yeast fungus has already developed, medication against the pathogens is necessary. In addition, changes in behaviour can support the healing of the skin wolf.
What measures help with intertrigo?
In the early stages of mild symptoms, hygiene and the right behavioural measures are of great importance. Important are:
- Regular cleaning of the affected skin areas with water and a mild soap.
- Thoroughly drying the areas after any contact with moisture or after heavy sweating. You should dab the skin with a soft towel without applying pressure. A hair dryer can also be used to dry if there is pain from contact.
- Choosing appropriate clothing will allow air to reach the skin and absorb moisture.
- Friction in inflamed skin folds can be reduced in hot weather by using a gauze or cotton cloth insert.
- Tried and tested home remedies help against the acute symptoms.
What clothes are suitable for Intertrigo?
Clothing has a big effect on the development of intertrigo. The skin should remain as dry as possible so that it does not soften and become sensitive. There are a few measures you should take to help with this:
- Natural materials: clothing made of natural materials such as cotton is breathable and absorbs a lot of moisture from the body. At the same time, cotton is particularly skin-friendly and suitable for allergy sufferers.
- Wide cuts: Looser clothing that is not tight-fitting allows more air to reach the skin and builds up less pressure on the skin.
- No synthetic fibres: Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon are not breathable. This means that no air gets to the body and the person sweats more. The exception to this is functional clothing for sports. These contain special membranes that transport moisture away from the body.
- Change of clothes: If the clothes have become damp, it is advisable to change them quickly.
What home remedies help with intertrigo?
There are several tried and tested home remedies that have proven effective as a cream, ointment or poultice. For mild symptoms, these together with the right measures are often sufficient to treat the condition. These include:
- Zinc ointment: Zinc has a drying, skin-protecting and wound-healing effect. A light ointment is applied to the affected areas at least twice a day.
- Witch hazel: Witch hazel contains tannins that reduce itching and inflammation. Witch hazel also has an astringent effect, which means it contracts the skin. The contraction of the skin reduces the wound surface and thus promotes healing. Creams based on witch hazel or regular moist compresses are suitable for this purpose.
What medicines help with an intertrigo infection?
If the redness persists for several days or if the wound weeps, bacteria or fungi may have settled in the wounds. In these cases, treatment with antibiotics or antimycotics is necessary. These should only be used after an appropriate diagnosis by the dermatologist. To make the diagnosis, a skin sample is taken and tested for the pathogen using a microscope. After the evaluation, the doctor will select the medication according to the pathogen.
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