Intertrigo is a nonspecific inflammatory dermatosis involving the opposing skin of body folds. It is found principally in the inframammary, axillary, inguinal, and gluteal folds, but it may also affect other similar areas such as folds of the neck creases, antecubital fossae, and umbilical and interdigital areas. Patients with diabetes mellitus are also prone to developing intertrigo. Intertrigo can arise as a result of skin constantly rubbing on skin, heat, moisture, and friction, which can all lead to maceration, inflammation, and often secondary bacterial or fungal infections with Streptococcus in infants or Candida albicans, respectively (Fig. 24-1). In tropical regions, the genitocrural and perianal areas may be colonized with Trichosporon beigelii.

Early stage and mild intertrigo are associated with soreness or itching (Fig. 24-2). Incontinence may contribute to intertrigo in several ways: excessive moisture, irritating chemicals present in urine and feces, microbial contamination, and altering skin surface pH. Intertrigo is one form of diaper dermatitis in infants and is characterized by erythema only in skin folds, without pustules; it is most likely a primary irritant
reaction with possible low-grade infection. Some intertriginous eruptions have been reported in pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy. Other eruptions that localize in the body folds and must therefore be differentiated from simple intertrigo include seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis (inverse type), dermatophyte infections, erythrasma, irritant dermatitis, and miliaria.