How to Get Rid of a Red Stomach Crease

Intertrigo commonly occurs in skin folds.

If you are overweight or obese, you may have noticed a red area or crease in your stomach. You may have thought it's just chapped or irritated skin. But the real cause for this unsightly annoyance is actually a yeast infection of the skin called intertrigo. Intertrigo is caused by an overgrowth of the candida albicans yeast in skin folds, which an overweight or obese person tends to have in the stomach area. Ready for some good news? Intertrigo is relatively easy to cure and control.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Hairdryer
• Antifungal powder or cream
• Cod Liver Oil or shark liver oil
• Antiperspirant

Instructions

1. Make sure you have intertrigo. Intertrigo shows up when moisture lingers in the folds of your skin. It is characterized by redness and scaling; raw spots; little, red bumps; or pustules. Excess weight, heat, moisture and friction are a formula for a red stomach crease. To verify your suspicion, though, you should visit your doctor.

2. Clean and dry the area. Clean off excess yeast by gently scrubbing with an antibacterial soap, and thoroughly dry the area. You can even use a hair dryer to ensure all the moisture has been eliminated.

3. Eliminate the conditions that allow intertrigo to thrive. Use an antifungal or anti-moisture powder or cream. It is also helpful to take cod liver oil or shark liver oil in capsule form. The omega-3 fatty acid in the fish oil helps with inflammation and skin rashes, notes MayoClinic.com.

4. Plan for long-term prevention. One of the best ways to prevent a recurrence of intertrigo is to lose weight so that the stomach folds no longer create a moisture trap. In the meantime, there are many steps you can take to reduce the moisture, heat and friction that result in a red stomach crease. Switch to an antibacterial soap, and shower after the skin is exposed to sweat. You can also cover the infection-prone area with the same antiperspirant you use on your underarms to keep the area dry throughout the day. Expose the area to air whenever possible. Avoid slouching, and wear clothing that breathes.

Tips & Warnings

• There are other potential causes for a red stomach crease, including psoriasis and even Lyme disease. When in doubt, see your doctor or dermatologist.

References

• DERMAdoctor; Intertrigo; Audry Kunin, M.D.
• eMedicineHealth; Yeast Infection Skin Rash; Noah S. Scheinfeld, M.D.
• MayoClinic.com; Dermatitis: Alternative Medicine; Mayo Clinic Staff; Dec. 8, 2009