7 Home Remedies for Rashes Under Skin Folds

A rash or skin irritation can develop anywhere that skin folds exist on the body. These folds can trap heat, moisture, bacteria, and yeast. Combined with chafing, this leads to a condition called intertrigo.

Intertrigo can be uncomfortable, red, and itchy, and it can lead to other skin issues such as sores. If you’re looking to treat intertrigo at home, here’s what dermatologists recommend.

1. Keep the Skin Clean and Dry

The first step when dealing with any type of skin irritation is to keep the area as clean and dry as possible, says Shoshana Marmon, MD, PhD, assistant professor and director of clinical research in the department of dermatology at New York Medical College.

Dr. Marmon recommends first cleaning any affected areas with water and a gentle soap like Cetaphil Pro Restoraderm Soothing Wash.

After cleansing the area, pat it dry with a towel — don’t rub — and if necessary, you can also dry the area with a blow-dryer on a cool setting.

2. Apply a Barrier Cream

One way you can help your skin heal properly — and prevent intertrigo from getting worse — is to create a moisture barrier, says Robin Ashinoff, MD, board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained dermatologic, Mohs, and laser surgeon at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.

After you’ve made sure the affected area is clean and dry, she suggests applying a barrier cream of zinc oxide paste, such as a diaper rash ointment. This helps create a seal that prevents moisture from seeping in and causing irritation.

Marmon notes that using a barrier cream with zinc oxide or an ointment with petrolatum can also help prevent skin folds from rubbing against each other, which is another source of irritation.

If your doctor has prescribed a treatment cream, you should apply that to your skin first, then, once the infection has cleared up, apply the barrier cream to keep moisture out.

3. Protect the Skin With Pads

Along with keeping the skin clean and dry and using a barrier cream, Marmon says that you can help physically keep skin folds apart and prevent them from rubbing together by using a physical barrier as well.

For instance, she suggests placing Telfa “Ouchless” Non-Adherent Dressing Pads or cotton gauze between the folds to keep them separated and eliminate friction.

4. Use an Anti-Fungal Cream

Sometimes, what you think is just irritation is actually a yeast or fungal infection — usually from a candida infection — masquerading as a rash.

“The moist environment in the skin folds is the perfect breeding ground for yeast, fungus, or bacteria, which can worsen the irritation and rash,” Marmon explains.

A yeast infection under belly fat can be very uncomfortable and itchy, so it’s important to treat it properly before it gets worse or becomes infected from scratching. It’s always best to have a fungal infection diagnosed by a doctor, but Dr. Ashinoff says that if it is a yeast infection, a simple over-the-counter antifungal cream like Lotrimin can be used effectively.

5. Protect With a Powder

To keep the area dry and help fight a fungal infection, you might want to consider using an antifungal powder, Marmon says.

A powder like Zeasorb or Medline Remedy Phytoplex can help control moisture between skin folds, while the ingredient miconazole nitrate can help stop the growth of yeast.

You should only use this powder if you have been diagnosed with a fungal infection. Using it when it’s not required can lead to future resistance to antifungal treatments.

6. Combat Itch

Marmon says that if you’re mostly dealing with inflammation and itchiness under your belly fat, it can help to add a low-potency steroid cream such as Aveeno Maximum Strength Formula, which contains 1 percent hydrocortisone.

However, steroids can worsen a fungal condition, so it’s best to consult a doctor before beginning this treatment. Any type of open sore or rash should be evaluated by a doctor.

7. Apply Aloe or Argan Oil

Leslie Baumann, MD, a dermatologist and CEO of Skin Type Solutions Inc. in Miami, recommends applying argan oil or aloe to skin-fold rashes.

When to See a Doctor for a Skin Rash

A rash between skin folds could be caused by a number of things, from moisture to bacteria buildup to a fungal infection. The first thing you should do if you develop a skin rash, especially between skin folds, is see a doctor.

Diagnosing the rash can help ensure that you treat it appropriately. Throwing a skin cream on what’s really a fungal rash, for instance, won’t actually do anything, so it’s important to get the right type of treatment for the cause behind the rash.

Seeing a doctor as your first step for a skin rash or intertrigo will most likely save you time, frustration, and even money, because a prescription or even an over-the-counter remedy will probably be much more effective than a home remedy, says Ashinoff. A professional diagnosis can help identify the specific cause of the condition, leading to a more targeted treatment.

Marmon also recommends that you see a dermatologist for any symptoms that include:

• Skin breakdown
• Worsening pain or tenderness
• Increasing redness or other color changes
• Drainage from the site
• Fever or chills
• Persistent rash and irritation despite treatment
• Foul smell
• Vesicles or blisters in the area that may suggest the presence of an infection

The Takeaway

• Intertrigo is the name for any type of rash that develops between skin folds, such as those under the breasts, in the armpits, or under belly fat.
• Rashes in these areas are typically caused by heat, moisture, yeast, or bacteria that get trapped in the folds of skin.
• Various over-the-counter remedies, such as antifungal creams or aloe vera gel, can help prevent and treat intertrigo, as can lifestyle measures like keeping the skin in those areas clean and dry.
• If you have a rash or sore that is not responding to treatment or is getting worse, talk with your doctor.