What is sweat rash?
Sweat rash can be itchy and even painful, but you don’t have to worry about catching it: it’s not contagious. Also known as intertrigo, sweat rash is an inflammatory skin condition. It shows up between the folds of your skin as a reddish rash, where your skin rubs together and where there is less air circulation.
You will normally see it under your arms, in the crease of your neck, on the backs of your knees, under your breasts, in the groin area and between abdominal skin folds. The areas between your skin folds are warm and moist, which creates a welcome environment for germs to grow.
Sweat rash is often accompanied by an infection caused by Candida yeast, other types of fungus or bacteria.
What causes sweat rash?
The factors that can cause inflammation of your skin or worsen it include: moisture, heat, lack of air circulation and friction between skin folds. Additionally, sweat, urine and faeces can contribute to this condition.
Who is at risk at getting sweat rash?
You are more likely to get a sweat rash if you:
are overweight,
have diabetes,
have a weakened immune system,
have a splint, brace or artificial limb,
are exposed to high heat and humidity,
use clothing and shoes that are too tight,
are confined to bed for a long period of time.
Sweat rash is most common in the summer months or amongst people who do a lot of sports. Infants often get intertrigo because of their chubbiness, short necks and flexed posture – while adorable, those baby skin folds are ideal for moisture to collect, so it’s important to clean them regularly.
Sweat rash symptoms
Preventing sweat rash
You can try and lower the risk of getting intertrigo. These tips can help you:
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Keep your skin cool, dry and exposed to air.
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Pat rather than rub your skin. Dry-rubbing may damage your skin and spread infection.
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Always wash your hands after applying a treatment to avoid spreading infection.
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Clean your skin gently, moisturise or apply a skin barrier protectant cream.
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Use fragrance-free soaps and other skin products to minimize irritation.
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Don’t wear tight clothing or shoes that can constrict the affected area. If your toes are affected, wear open-toe shoes.
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Avoid tight-fitting clothes that may rub your skin and choose natural fabrics (like cotton) over synthetic fibers (like lycra and nylon) as the latter reduce the amount of air which reaches the skin.
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