Intertrigo: Causes, prevention and management

Intertrigo, also known as intertriginous dermatitis, is one of the four separate conditions that fall under the umbrella term of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD). It can affect individuals of all ages. Intertrigo is a common inflammatory skin disorder caused by skin-on-skin friction within skin folds, as a result of moisture becoming trapped because of poor air circulation. It can occur in any area of the body where two skin surfaces are in close contact with each other, such as the axillary, inframammary, umbilical and inguinal areas, and is strongly associated with obesity. Consensus clinical expert opinion suggests that investment in the development and adoption of clear skin care and skin fold management protocols can lead to improvements in the patient experience and better clinical outcomes.