Avoiding Skin Fold Irritation

Avoiding Skin Fold Irritation in Warm Weather

We have had several very warm days already this Spring. Summer will soon be upon us.

During warm weather my patients often complain of a rash or skin ulceration especially in the abdominal skin fold or under the breasts. These are areas where skin lies on skin and there is little opportunity for evaporation. As the weather becomes warmer we sweat more. These dark moist, regions are a "set up" for the yeast (or fungus) we all have on our skin to grow much more rapidly. The yeast can be irritating to the skin, deposit a white paste like material and result in a foul smell.  The skin becomes red and irritated like a diaper rash and can lead to skin break down bleeding and ulceration.

If you have this problem and may have interest in having the skin removed by a plastic surgeon I would suggest you take pictures of the irritation and keep the pictures on file to show your plastic surgeon. This may you get insurance coverage for removal of the skin since it would be considered medically necessary and not cosmetic.

I discussed this with a friend of mine who is a dermatologist and he suggested a great product that I have found works really well. This is a powder that you can purchase at your local drug store over the counter called Zeasorb-AF. This seaweed based powder is excellent for absorbing liquid that can accumulate on the skin and the AF is for the anti-fungal ingredient Miconazol Nitrate that will kill the yeast.

Here is how I would suggest you use it.

Clean the areas well during your morning bath or shower and gently pat dry with the towel. If necessary dry with a hair drier but make sure not to burn the skin. Apply Zeasorb-AF powder to the affected area. Repeat later in the day if necessary.

This product is great to prevent groin irritation and athlete's foot as well.

So stay dry and enjoy your Summer without the skin fold irritation!