Understanding Intertrigo in Obesity

Intertrigo is a skin condition that often goes unnoticed in people with obesity. This condition can cause discomfort and skin irritation in areas where skin rubs together.

Study Overview

This study aimed to find out how common intertrigo is among obese patients and to see how effective a special moisture-wicking fabric (MWF) with antimicrobial silver is in treating it.

Key Findings

In a group of 2,778 patients with severe obesity, intertrigo was found in:

15.9% of patients
37.4% under the breast
19.0% on the abdomen
9.6% in the inguinal area

The condition was more common in women, especially those over 65 years old.

Treatment Results

Forty patients with intertrigo were divided into two groups:

One group used the moisture-wicking fabric (MWF)
The other group received traditional treatment

Results showed that the MWF group experienced faster relief from symptoms:

MWF group: 6.0 days
Control group: 11.0 days

This difference was significant, indicating that MWF is an effective treatment option.

Recommendations

It is important for healthcare providers to screen for intertrigo in obese patients, particularly those who are female, older, or have a higher BMI. The moisture-wicking fabric should be considered as a treatment option due to its effectiveness in providing quick relief.