Skin fold dermatitis (intertrigo) in Dogs

Breeds documented
16
Published sources
3

Overview

When closely pressed skin surfaces rub together, trapped moisture and poor airflow can lead to skin-fold dermatitis, also called intertrigo. Bacteria and yeast can multiply in these folds and worsen the irritation. Common sites include folds around the face, lips, tail and vulva, the external female genital area. Changes range from mild redness to painful open sores, and some dogs need ongoing care because the folds remain.

Signs to watch for

  • Redness or swelling inside a skin fold
  • Damp skin or discharge between the folds
  • An unpleasant smell from the affected area
  • Pain or tenderness around the fold
  • Crusting, hair loss or raw skin within folds

Reported cases include puppies and older dogs, with risk increasing as dogs age.

When to get help Book a vet visit for sore, smelly or inflamed skin folds.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets examine the affected folds and look for signs of irritation and infection. They may collect material with a swab or sticky tape and examine it under a microscope. Other tests can include skin scrapings and bacterial culture, which grows bacteria from a sample to help guide treatment.

Breeds with documented risk

16 breeds

By breed size
  • 1 Toy
  • 8 Small
  • 4 Medium
  • 2 Large
  • 1 Giant

Most popular breeds on this list

All 16 breeds, A to Z

Inheritance

  • Not yet known

    None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.

Sources

  1. nature.com
  2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Boston Terrier: ivis.org