What should you know about intertrigo in men?

It can affect the groin, inner thighs, skin beneath the abdomen, between the buttocks, or other places where skin touches skin. The rash may look red or darker than nearby skin, feel sore or itchy, and become raw when sweating or walking increases friction.

Intertrigo starts when trapped moisture softens the outer skin and repeated rubbing irritates it. Heat, tight clothing, limited airflow, and heavy sweating can maintain the cycle. In the groin, irritation may involve the folds around the upper inner thighs; it is not the same as a problem inside the penis or testicles.

Once the skin barrier is inflamed, yeast or bacteria can sometimes grow in the damp area. A yeast-related rash may have a moist, bright-red appearance with small nearby spots, but appearance alone cannot confirm its cause. Other conditions can resemble intertrigo, including contact dermatitis, eczema, and some fungal rashes. A clinician may examine the distribution, surface, and any discharge before choosing treatment.

Symptoms such as [itchy groin](/symptoms/groin-itching/) or a broader [skin rash](/symptoms/skin-rash/) can occur with several conditions, so they do not by themselves identify the cause.

Wash gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser if needed. Pat the folds dry rather than scrubbing. Change out of sweaty underwear or sportswear promptly, choose breathable loose clothing, and consider moisture-wicking fabric that does not trap heat. A cool fan or hairdryer on a cool setting can help dry a fold without rubbing it.

Avoid fragranced products, harsh antiseptics, and shaving over raw skin. Do not share towels, and wash clothing that has become damp. A thin protective barrier may reduce rubbing, but a clinician or pharmacist should guide product choice when the skin is cracked, weeping, or infected.

If yeast is suspected, a clinician may recommend [topical antifungal treatment](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-antifungal-therapy/). Do not use a steroid cream alone on an undiagnosed groin rash, because it can change the appearance or allow an infection to worsen. Repeated sweating may prompt discussion of options such as [prescription antiperspirant](/treatments/medical-dermatology/prescription-antiperspirant/), depending on the location and skin condition.

Arrange a medical review if the rash is spreading, keeps returning, has cracks, blisters, pus, an unpleasant smell, or does not improve with careful drying and reduced friction. An examination is especially useful when the rash is painful, one-sided, sharply bordered, or difficult to distinguish from another groin condition.

Seek urgent care for rapidly increasing redness or swelling, severe pain, fever, marked tenderness, skin turning dusky or black, or feeling generally very unwell. These features can signal a more serious infection and should not be managed with home care alone. A recurrent yeast-associated fold rash may be assessed alongside conditions that increase moisture or affect skin healing, such as diabetes.

For background on the main condition, read about [intertrigo](/conditions/intertrigo/); a clinician may also consider [skin yeast infection](/conditions/cutaneous-candidiasis/) when the pattern suggests Candida.

Ask: Does this look like intertrigo or another groin rash? Could yeast or bacteria be involved? Which cleanser, barrier, or medicine is suitable for this exact area? How long should I use it, and what should I do if the rash returns? Are sweating, clothing, medication, or another health condition contributing?