From the Research
The treatment for lower abdominal intertrigo involves keeping the affected area clean and dry, and applying antifungal creams such as clotrimazole 1% or miconazole 2% twice daily for 2-4 weeks, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. To manage lower abdominal intertrigo, consider the following steps:
- Gently wash the area with mild, fragrance-free soap and water, then thoroughly pat dry.
- Apply antifungal creams such as clotrimazole 1% or miconazole 2% twice daily for 2-4 weeks, as fungal infections often complicate intertrigo.
- For inflammation, low-potency topical steroids like hydrocortisone 1% cream can be applied sparingly twice daily for up to 7 days.
- Barrier creams containing zinc oxide can protect the skin from moisture and friction.
- For severe cases with bacterial infection, topical antibiotics like mupirocin 2% ointment may be needed, as suggested by earlier studies 2. Some key considerations for prevention and management include:
- Identifying predisposing factors and educating patients in reducing these, such as weight loss to reduce skin folds 1.
- Educating patients in skin fold management and adopting a structured skin care routine 1.
- Using moisture-wicking textiles within skin folds to reduce skin-on-skin friction, wick away moisture, and reduce secondary infection 1. It is essential to note that the quality of evidence on which to determine the strength of any recommendations for practice remains low, and there remains the need for well-designed studies to test proposed interventions and build a robust evidence base 1.