Best Soap for Intertrigo Skin Rash – Causes & Treatment

Choosing the best soap for intertrigo and intertrigo treatment are dependent on the severity of the rash. In this post, I’ll share my own intertrigo rash experience, what caused it and the steps that helped me manage and heal it.

When dealing with intertrigo, finding the best soap for intertrigo is helpful, but treatment goes beyond just keeping the area clean. A gentle wash or mild soap can keep the skin fresh and comfortable, but for regular rashes, an intertrigo treatment cream often works best. Because creams stay on the skin, they provide longer-lasting relief, calms irritation and helps in faster healing.

Symptoms of Intertrigo

The first sign I noticed was a reddish, persistent intertrigo rash. It showed up as a skin rash in the folds of my neck, and at first, I assumed it was just irritation from my retinoid. Later on, I realized it was actually intertrigo on my neck.

Intertrigo can be tricky to notice in the beginning since it mostly starts as a small patch of irritation. In my case, I had a burning feeling, the rash felt warm and very uncomfortable. The worst thing that happened was that the skin became tender, almost like it was bruised or sore.

If you’re trying to identify intertrigo, the three most common signs are: a reddish rash, that burning or itchy sensation, and its usual appearance in the folds of the skin.

Mostly the fold areas of skin are moist and lack fresh air pass that is why are the most affected areas. Some areas are:

• Interdigital intertrigo (intertrigo between the fingers)
• Inner thighs or groin area
• Moist skin under the folds of the breasts
• Any skin fold areas, such as stomach folds or fat folds
• The folds of the neck (these bunch together while you sleep)
• Anywhere with excess skin
• Under the armpits

The Underlying Cause of Intertrigo

The main cause of intertrigo is actually quite simple, like an athlete’s foot or jock itch, it develops when moisture creates the perfect environment for fungus to grow. 

Yeast infections are also a type of fungal infection, intertrigo can also occur for the very same causes. You might also hear the term Candidal intertrigo that just means the rash is caused by Candida, a common type of yeast.

Some other terms for intertrigo can also be:

• Candida infections
• Candida albicans

Getting intertrigo doesn’t usually mean there’s anything wrong with your overall health. It most often shows up in spots where skin rubs together, and a skin rash in folds of skin is made worse by sweat or moisture. That warm, damp environment is the perfect place for fungus or yeast in folds of skin to grow, leading to irritation and discomfort. One of the most common examples is intertrigo under the breast, where heat and moisture tend to build up.

If you’re unsure whether your rash is intertrigo or another skin condition, it’s always best to check with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

How to Treat the Development of Intertrigo

The best soap for intertrigo depends on how severe the rash is. For mild cases, washing with an antibacterial soap for intertrigo a few times a week can help keep the area clean and reduce irritation.

In my own experience, my rash was fairly mild, but I don’t think soap alone would have cleared it up. I combined gentle intertrigo soap with a medicated antifungal cream Daktarin Gold, which contains 2% ketoconazole.

Ketoconazole, the active ingredient found in many antifungal creams and medicated soaps for skin rashes, is considered a reliable option for both treating and managing intertrigo.

Many antifungal creams are mostly formulated with an active ingredient, with “azole” as an ending word, like:

• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole
• Ketoconazole

Just like antibiotics, some fungi respond better to certain antifungal creams than others. The tricky part is, you can’t always tell which one will work just by looking at the rash.

A good first option is ketoconazole. But if you don’t see any improvement after 7–10 days, it’s worth trying another cream from the azole family.

Antifungal Soap vs Antifungal Cream

So, what is more effective for intertrigo treatment, a medicated soap for skin rashes or a topical cream?

In many cases, using both together can help, especially if your intertrigo is not leaving you (often called chronic intertrigo). But from my own experience, I found that an intertrigo treatment cream worked better than relying on soap alone.

At 28, I don’t really notice neck folds but at night, when I lie down, the folds press together and trap moisture, providing the perfect conditions for intertrigo. On top of that, I use a lot of skincare products and often apply them down onto my neck, which probably made the area even damper and triggered the rash.

I prefer cream because it stays on the skin, keeping the area treated all night. While the best soap for yeast infection on skin is useful for cleansing, it rinses off quickly. For me, using a cream consistently for 7–10 days was the most effective intertrigo OTC treatment.

Best Soap for Intertrigo

Here are some best soaps for intertrigo skin rash, which I think are very effective.  

Ketoconazole, Aloevera and Glycerin Antifungal Soap

This is one of the best soaps for intertrigo because it contains ketoconazole, aloe vera, and glycerin. The ketoconazole fights with the fungal infection, while aloe vera and glycerin soothe, hydrate, and nourish the skin.

Because of these calming ingredients, it can be really helpful if your rash has resulted in an irritated, itchy, or dry skin

Here are also some best antifungal products you might like to try.

Zinc Pyrithione & Keto-conazole Antifungal Soap

It is one of the most effective soaps for yeast infection on skin and other fungal issues, thanks to its formulation with ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione. Ketoconazole combats fungal growth, zinc pyrithione adds extra antifungal and antibacterial benefits, while soothing the irritated skin.

If you are struggling with chronic intertrigo or just want to avoid flare-ups, using a soap like this in your shower routine can be really helpful.

How to use: Lather the soap with water, apply on the affected area, and let it sit for 3–5 minutes before rinsing off.

Pro tip: If you also use products for acne prone skin with ingredients like salicylic acid, let them stay on your skin for a few minutes before washing to boost their effectiveness.

Best Antifungal Cream for Intertrigo

I’d suggest stopping by a pharmacy and asking for a cream that contains either ketoconazole or clotrimazole. It might come under different brand names, but what really matters is the active ingredient.

Since fungal infections can show up on many areas of the body, it’s perfectly fine to use something like an athlete’s foot cream on your arm (or wherever the rash appears).

Canesten Athlete’s Foot 1%

This cream contains clotrimazole 1% that treats mild intertrigo.

What About Corticosteroid Creams for Intertrigo?

For inflammatory skin conditions, a steroid cream is available. The problem is, people often reach for them first instead of exploring other options.

I’m not against steroids. They definitely have their place but sometimes a steroid cream or even calcineurin inhibitors can actually make things worse than they need to be.

I’m not a doctor, but from my own experience with both, I feel these treatments should really be kept as a last resort when everything else hasn’t worked.

Few calcineurin inhibitor examples are:

• Pimecrolimus cream 
• Tacrolimus ointment

Calcineurin inhibitors are not steroid creams but have the same effects as steroid inhibitors.

Tips for Preventing Intertrigo Flare Ups

Here are a few simple lifestyle tips that can really help avoid or ease intertrigo flare-ups:

• Dust talcum powder on areas like between the thighs to keep the skin dry.
• Try to keep the skin folds as dry as you can. Something as easy as switching to breathable cotton clothes or underwear can make a big difference.
• Apply a barrier cream, like zinc oxide paste, to protect skin that’s irritated or sore. Here is a list of the best products for skin barriers.
• Wash gently with a zinc-based soap to help soothe and calm inflamed areas.

Conclusion

Managing intertrigo involves a combination of proper hygiene, appropriate topical treatments, and preventive measures. Use best antifungal soap for intertrigo that contain ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione keeps the skin clean and prevent irritation. It’s essential to maintain dryness in skin folds, wear breathable clothing, and avoid irritants to prevent flare-ups and if it worsens see a healthcare professional for proper care.