Intertrigo, also known as intertriginous dermatitis, is an inflammatory condition that affects the skin folds. The most common areas affected are those where the skin rubs against each other like beneath the breasts, armpits, genital area, etc. It is easily diagnosed by visual inspection, and the treatment majorly focuses on reducing the friction between skin folds.
Timothy Nobles from National Center for Biotechnology Information(1) states that Intertrigo can happen to people of all ages.
Talcum powder absorbs perspiration. Studies(2) suggest not to use talcum powder with antifungal creams as they turn into a thick paste and can cause other skin issues.
Moisture between the skin folds makes the skin vulnerable to chafing. Talcum powder absorbs perspiration and keeps skin folds dry.
You can directly pour some powder on the aggravated area and spread it across evenly. Do this thrice every day to keep the skin folds dry.
[ Read: Natural Cures Skin Rashes ]
Products like gauze, cotton, soft towels, etc. can be used to create a physical barrier between the skin folds.
Physical barriers can be created to keep the skin surfaces from touching each other. This keeps the skin folds dry and clean.
Identify the aggravated areas and stuff some barrier between the folds. Make sure you keep on changing the barrier with a fresh one every 4-5 hours.
Excessive sweat keeps the skin folds moist, which then leads to the condition of Intertrigo.
Blocking the sweat keeps the area dry and clean. It does not allow the growth of bacteria and eliminates the possibility of developing Intertrigo.
You can use mild antiperspirants to stop sweating. Also, try to wipe the skin folds with a soft piece of cloth every hour.
[ Read: Stop Excessive Sweating Naturally ]
Do not throw away used tea bags. Store them in the fridge and place them on the aggravated area to combat Intertrigo.
Green tea is rich in antioxidant properties, which has a powerful effect on the affected skin. Studies reveal that the catechins in green tea fight bacterial infection and lower the risk of Intertrigo.
You can put tea bags on the aggravated area and also drink green tea regularly. Moisten the bags with cold water before application.
Try to drink green tea thrice a day and apply the used bags on the skin at repeated intervals throughout the day.
[ Read: Green Tea Benefits ]
Garlic is used widely for many skin infections like yeast infection, bacterial infection, etc.
Garlic is a popular and effective home remedy. It has natural antibiotic elements and is rich in Vitamin E, which keeps the skin healthy and infection-free.
Make a paste from a couple of garlic cloves and apply them to the aggravated location.
Do this twice a day for over two weeks to see desirable results.
If you cannot find fresh aloe vera, then you can use the aloe vera gel available in the market.
Samir Samman from the National Center for Biotechnology Information(3) confirms that aloe vera has always been used in Chinese medicine to combat fungal diseases. The polyphenols present in aloe vera inhibits bacterial growth.
Apply aloe vera between the intertriginous folds and wash after 30-40 minutes.
Do this thrice a day to eliminate the possibility of developing a bacterial infection.
Neem is most widely recognized as an antiseptic, according to many studies.
Neem works as a natural cleanser, and when applied to the aggravated area, it keeps the skin folds clean and moisture-free.
Sources believe that neem in various forms such as raw, crushed, and cooked can be used to treat Candida Intertrigo. A paste can be made from crushing the neem leaves, which can then be applied to the aggravated area.
Keep the paste on for 20 minutes and then rinse with water. Do this thrice every day.
[ Read: Neem Oil for Scabies ]
PubMed(4) confirms that honey is an appropriate natural treatment for Intertrigo, which relieves the skin and also promotes patient comfort.
Honey is rich in antioxidants, which diminishes the risk of bacterial infections, making it the perfect choice for the treatment of candidal Intertrigo.
Spread it evenly between the aggravated skin folds and leave for 30 minutes.
Do this thrice every day to see desirable results.
Peppermint is an essential oil that fights infection-causing pathogens.
Peppermint oil is rich in antifungal properties that combat the condition of Intertrigo. It treats skin rash by stimulating new cell growth.
Mix 2-3 drops of oil in 20 drops of water and apply it to the aggravated area using cotton. Let it sit on the skin for 30 minutes.
Do this thrice every day for a week to see desirable results.
[ Read: Benefits of Peppermint Oil ]
Studies reveal that geranium is highly used in skin exfoliating products as it keeps the skin dry and clean.
It is a natural antioxidant agent which keeps the skin infection free and also protects it in harsh conditions.
Apply it between the aggravated intertriginous folds using a cotton pad. Leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing. Do this thrice every day.
[ Read: Geranium Essential Oil Benefits ]
Lemongrass has several properties that work in combination with each other to battle skin conditions.
A 2011 study proved lemongrass oil to be a robust antioxidant agent which combats free radicals in the body. In the case of Intertrigo, the anti-inflammatory properties of the oil relax the skin and keep it clean.
Add a few drops of oil in half a cup of water and massage on the aggravated area. Leave it for 30 minutes before rinsing. Do this twice every day.
There are some steps which can be followed to eliminate the risk of Intertrigo in future:
[ Read: Treat Eczema Naturally ]
It will take two weeks to get rid of Intertrigo with the correct treatment.
Intertrigo at home can be treated with some remedies like essential oils, garlic, honey, keeping the skin folds dry, etc.
You must consult your doctor before using any antifungal cream for Intertrigo.