1. This is different from the “ring-like” fungal infection and may be relatively easier to treat if the predisposing factor is treated or taken care of.
2. Predisposing factors include being overweight/obesity, diabetes – when not controlled well, prolonged use of certain antibiotics or corticosteroid treatments, immunosuppression, removable prostheses, and chronic or frequent exposure to moisture, including saliva, fecal and urinaryincontinence.
3. Most commonly occurs in penile area of men who are not circumcised, web spaces of the toes (in between the 4th and 5th toe commonly) and in skin folds of obese people.
4. What must I do?
a. Get your sugars checked if you area diabetic.
b. Losing weight in over weight individuals over the long term will help preventing recurrences of infection. c. If it is a recurrent issue in penile area despite treatment, circumcision may be considered.
d. Keep the area clean and dry. Wear lose clothing. Even if it has been rainy or humid –DO NOT WEAR DAMP INNER WEAR. Keep several pairs of inners which you can rotate and make sure they are dry before you wear them.
e. Wearing damp clothes or remaining in wet clothes for long after being drenched in rain is possibly a common way in which even healthy and normal individuals invite skin infections.
f. Avoid scratching – this can cause worsening of the infection.
g. Avoid recurrent contact with water/sweat/moisture accumulation in affected areas.
h. STRICTLY AVOID USING OVER THE COUNTER CREAMS – THESE MAY HAVE STEROIDS AND MAY ULTIMATELY WORSEN THE INFECTION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TREAT.
i. Seek advice of a qualified dermatologist near you. Please note that your skin and hair issues are best handled by a qualified dermatologist!
j. Use the prescribed creams for the specified duration – over use or use for very short duration may cause resistance and the condition may become recurrent and tough to treat.