Canesten® Healthcare Professionals

This condition is caused by candida. Trapped perspiration can sometimes upset the natural balance of the skin, allowing candida to cause an irritating, itchy and often unsightly red rash.

Symptoms include:

• Red, sore and inflamed skin
• Persistent burning and itching
• Variety of red patches and blemishes
• Softened and soggy appearance.

The rash can occur where there are skin folds (e.g. under the breasts, arms or on the back of the knees) or where clothes rub against the skin. Sweat rash can be a common problem for patients who are overweight, larger-breasted or sporty. Hot weather, going to the gym, working up a sweat and tight clothing are all common causes. This type of inflamed rash can cause discomfort and, if left untreated, can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the area.

Treatment

Sweat rash should be treated as soon as possible to help prevent it from spreading or getting worse. A combination of 1% clotrimazole and 1% hydrocortisone can be used to treat fungal infections of the skin where there is associated swelling, redness and itching. The hydrocortisone will help the patient to gain some relief from the irritation and soothe the inflammation whilst the antifungal starts to work on the cause of the infection.

Jock itch (tinea cruris)

Jock itch (also known as dhobie itch) is a fungal infection of the groin, between the buttocks or on the inner side of the thighs. It occurs when fungus grows in warm and moist areas and can be triggered by the friction from clothes and sweating.  Anyone can get jock itch although it is more common in men.

Symptoms include:

• Red and inflamed areas with sharp edges that are raised and scaly
• Intense itching and burning
• Ring-like areas
• Blisters may be present.

Ringworm (tinea corporis)

Ringworm is an infection of the skin caused by a fungus.. It thrives in warm and damp areas. It can be caught from person to person contact as well as from infected animals.

Symptoms include:

• A rash of red or pink rings with raised edges and clear centres.

Fungal nappy rash (napkin dermatitis)

Fungal nappy rash can occur if a baby’s skin is left wet or damp for long periods of time, which causes a candida infection to grow, irritating the skin. Fungal nappy rash is a common problem which is identified in up to 75% of cases of nappy rash that last three days or more.

Symptoms include:

• Red, sore or scaling skin around the nappy area, which can spread to the upper thighs.

Treatment

Jock itch, ringworm or fungal nappy rash can be treated using an antifungal cream such as clotrimazole or miconazole, which will help to relieve the symptoms as well as attack the fungal infection. Terbinafine can be recommended to treat jock itch, ringworm and athlete’s foot only. Patients should be advised to wash and thoroughly dry the affected areas and then apply the cream. A spray formulation containing 1% clotrimazole or miconazole can also be used if the area is too difficult to reach or painful to touch. A powder can be used in conjunction with a cream or a spray to help treat a fungal infection or used alone to prevent re-infection. If the area is significantly inflamed then the patient should be referred to their GP.