Candidiasis of skin folds

Candida infection (candidiasis) can cause or aggravate intertrigo, an inflammatory rash arising in body folds.

Types of candidal intertrigo

Candidiasis may affect the following sites:

• Between toes (athlete's foot), which may also be due to tinea pedis, dermatitis, psoriasis or soft corns. The skin is moist, white and peeling.
• Web spaces of the hands. This is more common in warm climates and in those with frequently wet hands such as gardeners and housewives. The skin is moist, white, peeling and uncomfortable. The condition is sometimes called "erosio interdigitalis blastomycetica".
• Under breasts (submammary), in the groin or between the buttocks. The onset of bright red irritable skin is usually abrupt and may peel. The moist skin fold is cracked and sore. There are usually tiny surface "satellite" spots, blisters or pustules.
• Napkin dermatitis. Babies frequently develop candidal napkin dermatitis especially if treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g. for an ear infection) or if prone to irritant nappy rash.

Intertrigo caused by candida	Candida affecting genital skin and adjacent skin folds	Intertrigo under breasts due to candida
Erosio interdigitalis blastomycetica	Erosio interdigitalis blastomycetica	Candidal napkin dermatitis

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Diagnosis

Microscopy and culture of skin swabs and scrapings aid in the diagnosis of candidal intertrigo. However, candida may secondarily infect an underlying skin disorder such as psoriasis.