Intertrigo in an Infant’s Neck: Treatment and Care

A baby’s neck folds can hold drool, milk, sweat and heat. Repeated dampness and movement may leave the skin red, shiny, sore or cracked. Yeast can sometimes grow in an irritated fold, but not every red neck rash is a yeast infection. A baby may show discomfort by crying during cleaning or turning away when the fold is touched. Because infant skin is delicate, the appearance and the baby’s general wellbeing both matter.

Clean the fold with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free product, especially after feeds or heavy drooling. Pat each crease dry with a soft cloth and allow brief, supervised air exposure after cleaning. Keep bibs and clothing dry, changing them when damp. Do not scrub, use talcum powder, apply essential oils or use an adult rash product. If a clinician suspects [Skin Yeast Infection](/conditions/cutaneous-candidiasis/), they can select an infant-appropriate [Topical Antifungal Treatment](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-antifungal-therapy/) and explain how to apply it.

Contact the baby’s clinician if the rash is spreading, weeping, cracked, foul-smelling or not improving with gentle drying. Seek prompt medical help if the infant has fever, seems unusually sleepy, feeds poorly, has fewer wet nappies, or appears in significant pain. A clinician can assess whether this is [Intertrigo](/conditions/intertrigo/) or another infant skin problem.

Ask which cleanser and barrier product are suitable, whether the rash needs a swab or prescription, and how to protect the fold during drooling and warm weather.