One of the most common types of fungal yeast infections is intertrigo. It is caused by the Candida albicans. Intertrigo is a skin rash that develops in the folds of the skin. It most commonly affects the armpits, the groin area, and under heavy folds of skin such as the breasts or between the buttocks. These areas produce extra heat, so they are the perfect places for yeast to grow.
Intertrigo develops where the skin is moist and causes the skin to appear red and inflamed, with scaling around the edges of the rash. The rash can be itchy and in some cases painful.
Causes of Intertrigo
Intertrigo is caused by the yeast that grows on the skin. The yeast naturally grows on the skin, but there are things that can make it worse and cause the intertrigo. People who are overweight are more prone to develop it because of the extra folds in the skin. The warm and humid weather can also make it worse due to the warmth and extra sweating in these areas.
Other factors which can make it worse are tight fitting clothing. By wearing clothes too tight, it can cause the skin to become more irritated, which can cause intertrigo. If you have already developed intertrigo, wearing tight clothes can make it worse since the skin is unable to breathe. Poor hygiene is also a cause of intertrigo. For those people who have poor hygiene habits, the skin can grow more candida, the yeast that causes intertrigo. Making sure the skin is clean and dry before putting on clothes can help reduce the risk of developing intertrigo. Intertrigo can also be caused by inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis.
Treatment
This can be easily treated with an anti-fungal cream. This usually needs to be prescribed by a doctor. The cream is applied to the area a couple times a day. It is also important to promote healing to keep the area clean and dry at all times. It may be necessary to wash and dry the skin several times a day.
Prevention
If you have suffered from intertrigo you will want to try to prevent future infections from developing. The best ways to prevent the infection is to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, a reduction in weight may help to prevent it from developing again. Wearing loose fitting clothing is also a possible option for prevention. Wearing tight clothing can irritate the skin and make it worse. If you are prone to infections, you can also apply an anti-fungal power to the areas affected. This can be done on a daily basis and should be done after getting out of the shower when the skin is clean and dry.
Intertrigo is a fungal yeast infection caused by the candida albicans that grows on the skin. If you develop a yeast infection, it can be intertrigo and you should see your doctor for treatment.
