What causes intertrigo?

It develops where skin rubs against skin in warm, moist folds – under the breasts, in the groin, armpits and tummy folds. The friction and trapped moisture inflame the skin, and yeast (candida) or bacteria can then overgrow and infect it.

Is intertrigo linked to diabetes?

It can be. Diabetes raises the risk of candida overgrowth and can slow healing, so people with diabetes get intertrigo more easily. Recurrent skin-fold infections are sometimes a reason to have blood sugar checked.

How do I treat a skin-fold rash at home?

Keep the fold clean, dry it thoroughly, let air in, and reduce friction and sweating with loose cotton clothing. A barrier cream can protect raw skin. If it is infected or not improving, see a doctor for an antifungal or antibiotic.

How is intertrigo different from a fungal infection?

Intertrigo starts as friction-and-moisture irritation but is often complicated by candida (a yeast). A pure fungal infection can look similar. Because several fold rashes overlap, a doctor may check to give the right treatment.

How can I stop intertrigo coming back?

Keep prone folds cool and dry, dry carefully after washing and sweating, wear loose breathable clothing, change out of damp clothes, and manage weight and blood sugar where relevant. Your doctor may suggest a barrier or moisture-reducing measure.

Intertrigo (Skin-Fold Rash) Singapore

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 1 Sep 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Quick answer. Intertrigo is an inflammatory rash that develops in skin folds where skin rubs against skin and stays warm and moist – such as under the breasts, in the groin, armpits, between skin folds of the tummy, and between the toes. It appears as red or raw, sometimes sore, itchy or stinging skin, and it can become secondarily infected with yeast (candida) or bacteria. It is common in Singapore’s heat and humidity and in people who sweat heavily, are living with obesity, or have diabetes. Treatment centres on keeping the folds cool, dry and separated, plus treating any infection.

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The key principle: intertrigo thrives on friction plus moisture. Reduce both – keep folds dry and let air in – and it usually settles; persistent or infected cases need a doctor.

What intertrigo is

Intertrigo is an inflammatory rash that develops wherever two skin surfaces lie against each other and trap moisture and warmth. It is a common, uncomfortable but treatable problem, and Singapore’s hot, humid climate makes it especially frequent here. In a skin fold, the two surfaces rub together and hold heat and sweat with little airflow. This constant friction and dampness break down the skin’s protective barrier and cause inflammation.

Because the environment stays warm and moist, it also becomes a comfortable place for candida (a yeast) or bacteria to grow, which can turn a simple irritation into a weeping, sore or smelly rash – in other words, a secondary infection on top of the original skin breakdown. Intertrigo itself is not contagious. Typical sites are under the breasts, in the groin and inner thighs, the armpits, folds of the tummy, the buttock crease, the neck creases of babies, and between the toes.

What it looks like and where

Intertrigo usually appears as red or reddish-brown skin in a fold, which may look raw, moist or cracked. Because both sides of the fold are affected together, the rash often has a mirror-image, symmetrical pattern. Common features include:

Red, reddish-brown or raw-looking skin, sometimes moist, weeping or cracked, with a symmetrical pattern across the fold;
Itching, burning, stinging or soreness in the affected area;
An unpleasant smell if the area becomes infected;
When candida is involved, small “satellite” spots may appear in the skin just beyond the main rash.

Common sites: under the breasts, the groin and inner thighs, armpits, abdominal folds, the buttock crease, the neck creases (in babies), and between the toes.

Why it happens

Two things combine to cause intertrigo: friction and trapped moisture and heat. Skin rubbing on skin, together with sweat that cannot evaporate, wears down the outer skin barrier and inflames the surface underneath. Once the barrier is broken and the fold stays damp, the warm, moist environment lets yeast such as candida, or bacteria, multiply and settle in. That overgrowth is what can worsen a mild rash and tip it into a secondary infection with oozing, odour or increasing soreness. Understanding this cause is also the key to treatment: take away the moisture and friction and the skin can heal.

Who gets it and why it’s common here

Anyone can develop intertrigo, but some people are more prone to it:

Being overweight, which creates more and deeper skin folds;
Diabetes, which raises the risk of candida overgrowth and can slow healing;
Heavy sweating and a hot, humid climate – both very relevant in Singapore;
Incontinence or other sources of persistent moisture against the skin;
Limited mobility or being bedbound, where folds stay pressed together and poorly ventilated;
Tight or non-breathable clothing that traps sweat and heat.

Diabetes matters twice over: higher blood sugar both encourages yeast to grow and can slow the skin’s repair – which is why recurrent intertrigo can occasionally be a nudge to check for undiagnosed diabetes.

How it is assessed

A doctor can usually recognise intertrigo from its appearance and its location in a skin fold, so tests are often not needed. Where the picture is less clear, the doctor may take a simple swab or skin sample to check whether a yeast or bacterial infection is present, and consider whether an underlying skin condition could be causing or mimicking the rash. Similar-looking rashes in the same areas – such as a fungal skin infection, eczema, inverse psoriasis or contact dermatitis – can be mistaken for intertrigo, which is one reason a persistent rash is worth a proper diagnosis. If the rash keeps returning, the doctor may also suggest a blood sugar check to look for diabetes.

Treatment and self-care

The single most important step is keeping the area clean, cool and dry – this is the core of treatment, and self-care usually does most of the work:

Wash and dry gently: clean the fold gently, then dry it thoroughly by patting, air-drying, or using a fan or a hairdryer on a cool setting – drying is as important as washing;
Reduce moisture and friction: wear breathable cotton clothing, change out of damp clothes promptly, and where possible separate the skin folds so the surfaces are not pressed together and can dry;
Ventilate the area: a soft, absorbent or moisture-wicking material tucked into the fold can lift skin off skin and soak up sweat;
Barrier protection: a doctor or pharmacist may suggest a barrier cream to shield the raw skin from further moisture and rubbing;
Treat any infection: if yeast or bacteria are involved, a doctor can prescribe the appropriate treatment – an antifungal or antibacterial cream to clear the overgrowth;
Calm inflammation if needed: in some cases a doctor may advise a short course of a mild anti-inflammatory cream to settle the redness and soreness;
Manage the underlying factors: good diabetes control and, where relevant, weight management help the skin heal and stay clear.

With consistent drying and, where needed, the right prescribed cream, most cases of intertrigo settle. The challenge in a humid climate is keeping the folds dry long enough for the skin to recover.

Preventing recurrence

Intertrigo often comes back if the conditions that caused it return, so prevention focuses on the same habits that treat it. Dry carefully after showering and after sweating, wear loose, breathable, moisture-wicking clothing, and change out of damp clothes promptly. Manage sweating and heat by staying cool in Singapore’s humidity, and keep weight and blood sugar under control where relevant, as both reduce the depth of folds and the risk of yeast overgrowth. People prone to recurrence sometimes use a barrier or antiperspirant measure in the folds on their doctor’s advice. Good, regular skin-fold hygiene and drying is the most reliable long-term defence.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if the rash does not improve with drying and self-care, or if it looks infected – increasing redness, pus, pain, spreading, weeping, a bad smell or fever. Also see a doctor if it keeps coming back, which may prompt a check for diabetes, or if the diagnosis is unclear and could be another skin condition. A dermatologist or GP can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe the right antifungal, antibacterial or anti-inflammatory treatment. HealthHub also offers general guidance on skin and diabetes care in Singapore.

Related skin & dermatology topics

Sources

DermNet — Intertrigo: friction + moisture in skin folds, candida/bacterial overgrowth, management (keep dry, treat infection).
NHS / NHS inform — skin-fold rashes and candidal intertrigo; hygiene, antifungal treatment, diabetes link.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) — care of skin folds, moisture reduction, when infection needs treatment.
HealthHub Singapore — diabetes and skin infections; local humid-climate context (general relevance).

General information only. This guide is general information about a skin condition and is not a diagnosis or personalised medical advice. See a doctor — a GP or a dermatologist — for assessment, tests and treatment. Have any new, changing, non-healing, bleeding or growing skin lesion or mole checked promptly, as this can be an early sign of skin cancer.

Intertrigo (Skin-Fold Rash) in Singapore: Causes & Treatment