Intertrigo

Intertrigo Complications & Solutions

The Challenge

Intertigo, also known as intertiginous dermatitis is a common form of moisture associated-skin damage. It occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to perspiration within skin folds and beneath devices. It’s estimated there are over 11 million people in north america who suffer from the condition. An aging population and soaring prevalence of obesity has forced healthcare providers to pay increased attention to proper diagnoses and treatment of intertigo.

For patients, initial symptoms include pain, itching, burning, erythema, satellite lesions, maceration, denudement and odor. It can affect patients’ quality of life and if left untreated, may lead to serious complications like secondary infection, cellulitis and panniculitis.1

For healthcare professionals, traditional treatments require repeated application of messy creams or powders that do not target all the underlying causes of intertrigo, leaving the condition unresolved.1

There are four causes of intertrigo

1

Moisture gets trapped within skin folds and beneath devices where air circulation is limited.1

3

Macerated skin becomes inflamed and denuded providing a breeding ground for bacteria.1

2

Overly hydrated stratum corneum does not glide on opposing skin surfaces, leading to friction damage.1

4

Fungus may develop on macerated, inflamed, denuded skin.1

There are four causes of intertrigo

1

Moisture gets trapped within skin folds and beneath devices where air circulation is limited.1

2

Overly hydrated stratum corneum does not glide on opposing skin surfaces, leading to friction damage.1

3

Macerated skin becomes inflamed and denuded providing a breeding ground for bacteria.1

4

Fungus may develop on macerated, inflamed, denuded skin.1

Traditional therapies offer incomplete relief

Treatments such as antifungal powders, creams and absorptive material target only one or two causes associated with intertrigo.1

• Antifungals only target the fungus, but fail to properly address bacterial growth, reduce friction and move moisture away from the skin.1

• Linens such as bedsheets and pillow cases are usually ineffective as they absorb moisture but do not allow it to evaporate, promoting skin damage and have no ability to inhibit fungal and bacterial growth.1

InterDry with FourFold Technology™ simultaneously addresses all four causes of intertrigo

Moisture
Wicks and translocates moisture away from the skin with 100% polyester fabric

Friction
Minimizes friction with polyurethane coating

Bacteria
Fights bacteria with antimicrobial silver in the fabric 

Fungus
Fights fungus with antimicrobial silver in the fabric

To resolve intertrigo, it’s critical to target all four causes of the damage

InterDry® with FourFold Technology™ is an innovative moisture wicking fabric with antimicrobial silver proven to provide real symptom relief of intertrigo and prevent further skin damage from occurring.

CASE STUDY: UNDER THE BREAST4

CASE STUDY: UNDER THE BREAST4

Symptoms: erythema, denudement, maceration,
satellite lesions, itching/burning

  • Length of treatment time
  • Treatment cost
  • Outcome

Antifungal protocol (oral and topical)

  • 84 days
  • $104.16
  • not resolved

InterDry protocol

  • 5 days
  • $2.77
  • completely resolved
Back to About InterDry

1.Sibbald RG, Kelley J, Kennedy-Evans KL, Labrecque C, Waters N. A practical approach to the prevention and management of intertrigo, or moisture-associated skin damage, due to perspiration: expert consensus on best practice. Wound Care Canada – supplement. 2013;11(2):1-21. Accessible at www.woundscanada.ca/docman/public/71-bpr-prevention-management-fall-2013/file.

2. Brown J, Wimpenny P, Maughan H. Skin problems in people with obesity. Nurs. Stand. 2004;18(35):38-42.

3. Janniger CK, Schwartz RA, Szepietowski JC, Reich A. Intertrigo and common secondary skin infections. Am Fam Physician. 2005;72(5):833-838.

4. O’Dell ML. Skin and wound infections: an overview. Am Fam Physician. 1998;57(10):2424-2432.

5. Haberer P. When ITD hits home: best practice tips for using a moisture-wicking fabric with silver for intertriginous dermatitis. 7th Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, Southeast Region of the WOCN society. September, 2015.

6. Vorbeck, E. Evaluation of a skin fold management textile with antimicrobial silver complex in a variety of case studies. Mayo Health System, Minnesota.

7. Kennedy-Evans KL, Viggiano B, Henn T, Smith D. Multi-site feasibility study using a new textile with silver for management of skin conditions located in skin folds. Poster presented at: 20th Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care; April 28 – May 1, 2007; Tampa, FL and 39th WOCN® Society Annual Conference; June 9-13, 2007; Salt Lake City, UT.

8. Vorbeck, E. Evaluation of a skin fold management textile with antimicrobial silver complex in a variety of case studies. Mayo Health System, Minnesota.

9. Maus E, Baylor D, Benavides S, Kinder L, Fife C, Guilliod R, Hawkins T, Robles M, Smith L, Virtute G. A case series using a polyurethane coated polyester textile impregnated with an antimicrobial silver complex for the management of maceration, odor and redness is skin folds. The experience from a wound healing and lymphedema management clinic. Hermann Center for Wound Healing and Lymphedema Management, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.

10. Hill R. Treating complications associated with skin folds in a bariatric patient. Vancouver Coastal Health, Lions Gate Hospital, British Columbia, CA.

11. Freyberg J, Netsch D, Tessling J. Moisture management challenges for the WOC nurse. Presented at the 39th WOCN® Society Annual Conference, June 2007. Presented at the 22nd Annual Clinical Symposium on Advances in Skin and Wound Care, October 2007.

12. Product Evaluation InterDry Canada 2w016. Doc. No. VV-020577, Version 1.0.

13. Metin A, Dilek N, Bilgili SG. Recurrent candidial intertrigo: challenges and solutions. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:175-85.

14. Tessling J, Freyberg J, Netsch D. Moisture management challenges to the WOC nurse. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs Supplement. 2007;34(3S):S54.

15. Honig PJ, Frieden IJ, Kim HJ, Yan AC. Streptococcal intertrigo: an underrecognized condition in children. Pediatrics. 2003;112(6 Pt 1):1427 -1429.

16. Loomis, M, US Incidence and Prevalence of Skin Fold Complications, Coloplast Corp, Internal Analysis, Data on File. January 2017