Intertrigo is an inflammatory condition of skin folds, induced or aggravated by heat, moisture, maceration, friction, and lack of air circulation. The condition frequently is worsened or colonized by infection, which most commonly is candidal but also may be bacterial, fungal, or viral.

An intertrigo usually develops from the chafing of warm, moist skin in the areas of the inner thighs and genitalia, the armpits, under the breasts, the underside of the belly, behind the ears, and the web spaces between the toes and fingers. An intertrigo usually appears red and raw-looking, and may also itch, ooze, and be sore. Intertrigos occur more often among overweight individuals, those with diabetes, those restricted to bed rest or diaper use, and those who use medical devices, like artificial limbs, that trap moisture against the skin. Also, there are several skin diseases that can cause an intertrigo to develop, such as dermatitis or inverse psoriasis.

CLINICAL FEATURES

ONSET

• Insidious.

LOCATION

• Retro-auricular region.
• Angles of mouth.
• Naso-labial folds.
• Groins, infra-mammary region (local change in ecology harbours, maintains and promotes bacterial growth).

SYMPTOMS

• Itching.
• Mild burning.

LESION

• Starts as superficial redness.
• Maceration.
• Cracks or fissures.
• Covered with honey coloured crusts.
• Removal of crust causes bleeding.
• Offensive odour from affected parts.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT of Intertrigo

• Correct underlying cause.
• Keep affected area clean, dry.
• Good nutritious diet.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT

• Ars-alb.
• Graphites.
• Merc-sol.
• Mezereum.
• Natrium muriaticum.
• Psorinum.
• Petroleum.
• Sepia.
• Sulphur.

ARS-ALB.

Skin popular dry, rough, dirty looking, scaly< cold and scratching. Hot, itching and violent burning in skin, itching increased by scratching followed by bleeding. Icy coldness of body. Parts painful after scratching. Disease begins as red spot spread like ringworm covered with silvery scales.
Great Prostration, with rapid sinking of the vital forces; fainting. The disposition is:
a. Depression, melancholy, despairing, indifferent.
b. Anxious, fearful, restless, full of anguish.
c. Irritable, sensitive, peevish, easily vexed.
The greater the suffering the greater the anguish, restlessness and fear of death. Mentally restless, but physically too weak to move. Indicated by its periodicity and time aggravation: after mid-night, and from 1-2 a.m. And by its intense restlessness, mental and physical: its anxiety and prostration.

GRAPHITES

Rough, hard obstinate dryness and absence of perspiration , rawness in bends of limbs, groin, neck and behind ears, unhealthy skin, violent itching and burning. Eruptions oozing out a sticky exudation.
Suited to – Excessive cautiousness; timid, hesitates; unable to decide about anything. Fidgety while sitting at work. Sad, despondent; music makes her weep; thinks of nothing but death.

MERC. SOL.

Itching so intolerable almost makes him crazy. Better cold air and when bed is cold. Worse warmth of bed. Almost constantly moist, free perspiration which gives no relief.

MEZERIUM

Violet itching worse bed, from touch compelling to scratching until epidermis is removed and denuded part is covered with a scab or there is repeated exfoliation.
For light-haired, irresolute persons of a phlegmatic temperament. Eczema and itching eruptions after vaccination. Hypochondriacal and despondent; indifferent to everything and every one; angry at trifles and perfectly harmless things, but is soon sorry for it.

PETROLEUM

Itching at night. Skin dry, constricted, very sensitive, rough and cracked, leathery. Itching sore, moist surfaces with redness and rawness. External hard pressure not painful but a soft touch is unbearable. Cracks bleed easily.
Adapted to persons with light hair and skin; irritable, quarrelsome disposition; easily offended at trifles; vexed at everything. Ailments: from riding in a carriage, railroad car, or in a ship. Ailments which are worse before and during a thunderstorm. Symptoms appear and disappear rapidly. During sleep or delirium: imagines that one leg is double; that another person lies along side of him in same bed; that there are two babies in the bed. Vertigo on rising; in occiput as if intoxicated; like seasickness.

PSORINUM

Dirty dingy look. Itching when body becomes warm. Agg. In bed and from warmth. Scratches until it bleed. Scratching gives temporary relief.
Especially adapted to the psoric constitution. In chronic cases when well selected remedies fail to relieve or permanently improve; when Sulphur seems indicated but fails to act. Lack of reaction after severe acute diseases. Appetite will not return.

SULPHUR

Dry, scaly, unhealthy skin. Itching, spots painful red and hot after scratching. Bleeds after scratching, recurring every night in bed. Violent on thighs and legs. Skin painful for along time after rubbing as if denuded and sore. Itching, burning worse scratching and washing. Excoriation on folds.
Adapted to persons of a scrofulous diathesis, subject to venous congestion; especially of portal system. Persons of nervous temperament, quick motioned, quick tempered, plethoric, skin excessively sensitive to atmospheric changes. For lean, stoop-shouldered persons who walk and sit stooping like old men. Standing is the worst position for sulphur patients; they cannot stand; every standing position is uncomfortable. Dirty, filthy people, prone to skin affections. Aversion to being washed; always <. after a bath.