The problem: sore skin in the fold
Under the breast, where the underwire or the band of the bra sits, the skin is red, damp and burns. In the evening it itches, and sometimes the skin in the fold splits. It can look similar in the groin, between the thighs, under a belly fold or in the armpits. Typical is redness that appears as a mirror image on both sides of the fold; many people describe itching, burning, pain or odour (Mistiaen & van Halm-Walters 2010). In pregnancy, too, when the breasts get larger and you sweat more, many people know the burning under the breast; itching in pregnancy, however, has its own warning signs, see Itchy skin in pregnancy: belly, hands, feet – what helps and when to see a doctor.
What can be behind it. Intertrigo is an umbrella term for inflammation in skin folds. It often starts with moisture and friction; later, yeasts or bacteria can join in, and some skin conditions look similar in the folds. The table summarises what specialist sources describe. It is a guide, not a diagnosis; the pictures can only be told apart with certainty during a medical examination, often with a swab (DermNet: Intertrigo).
| Picture | Typical features |
|---|---|
| Friction and moisture | redness on both sides of the fold, damp, softened, can split and peel; itches or burns |
| Yeast (Candida) | develops quickly; itchy, damp, red and whitish, scaling edge; small bumps or pustules outside the redness ("satellites"); often an unpleasant smell |
| Erythrasma (bacterial) | sharply defined brownish-red patches with little scaling, hardly any symptoms; under the breasts, in the armpit and groin |
| Psoriasis in the folds | sharply defined, smooth or shiny red, the same on both sides, very persistent; common under the breasts and in the groin |
| Contact allergy | reaction to fragrances or preservatives in deodorant or wet wipes, to rubber in waistbands or nickel in bra underwires |
| Bacterial infection | quickly developing blisters and crusts or painful lumps; foul smell |
Sources for the table: DermNet: Intertrigo, Kalra et al. 2014, DermNet: Candidiasis of skin folds, DermNet: Erythrasma. More on psoriasis in Psoriasis in winter: why it often gets worse and how to care for your skin, on fragrances in Fragrance allergens: the list of substances that must be labelled.
Why this also happens in winter
Moisture, warmth, friction. The skin in folds is comparatively warm. The water it gives off and the sweat it produces cannot evaporate because the fold is closed; on top of that, the skin surfaces rub against each other with every movement (DermNet: Intertrigo). Yeasts and bacteria that normally live on the skin multiply more in this warm, damp climate (DermNet: Intertrigo). Specialists therefore count intertrigo among the types of skin damage caused by body fluids such as sweat (Dissemond et al. 2021).
Winter is not the main season, but it is a trigger. Intertrigo is more common in hot, humid climates and in summer (Kalra et al. 2014). In winter, a similar microclimate arises in a different way: vest, jumper and coat lie closely on top of each other, it is cold outside and warm on the train, in the office and at home, and under the layers you sweat without noticing. This is an assessment from practice; how sweating in winter comes about is explained in Sweating in winter: causes and what you can do. Tight, occlusive clothing is considered a risk factor for yeast in the folds (DermNet: Candidiasis of skin folds).
Who is affected more often. Specialist sources name obesity, heavy sweating, diabetes, a weakened immune system, smoking and alcohol (DermNet: Intertrigo), and with large breasts also the fold under the breast (Kalra et al. 2014).
The solution step by step
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Right away | Wash the fold with lukewarm water or an unperfumed wash lotion, do not rub; pat it dry carefully | Rubbing and fragrances further irritate the sore skin |
| Right away | Finish drying the fold with a hairdryer on the cool setting | Explicitly mentioned in the specialist literature for the armpits and breasts |
| Every day | After sport, long journeys in thick clothing or heavy sweating, shower and dry the folds completely | Sweat in the fold is the most important trigger |
| Every day | Separate the skin surfaces: a piece of soft cotton fabric or a moisture-wicking textile strip for skin folds from a pharmacy or medical supply shop; change it daily | Less friction, moisture is carried outwards |
| Clothing | A well-fitting bra whose band does not dig in; cotton or other natural fibres directly on the skin; change after sweating; take the bra off at home and let the fold get some air | Air and dryness help prevent it coming back |
| Do not | No oils, body butter or rich skincare creams in the fold; protective pastes, for example with zinc oxide, only on medical or nursing advice | A fatty film keeps moisture and warmth in a fold that does not dry out anyway |
| Prevent | Cold outside, warm inside: wear layers that you take off when you come in | That way you sweat less under your clothes |
Sources for the table: DermNet: Intertrigo, Kalra et al. 2014, DermNet: Candidiasis of skin folds. The entry on the fatty film is our own assessment; on protective pastes, see the table below. How wool and synthetic fibres affect the skin is explained in Wool itches on the skin: why, and what helps.
A difference from chafing during sport: on the inner thighs, a thin gliding film before running or cycling can reduce friction, see Preventing chafing when running and cycling. In a fold that is constantly damp and already sore, on the other hand, the aim is to dry it.
What helps – and what does not
| Measure or assumption | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Drying, cool hairdryer, letting air get to the fold | helps; the basis of any treatment |
| Cotton, gauze or textile strips in the fold | can help; one review mentions absorbent fabrics, while an expert panel advises against bed linen, paper towels and dressings |
| Powder | can keep the fold dry; do not use it together with a cream prescribed by your doctor, otherwise a sticky paste forms |
| Oil, body butter, rich skincare cream in the fold | no; they keep moisture in the fold |
| Protective pastes with zinc oxide or petroleum jelly | mentioned in the specialist literature as a barrier; whether they suit you is for your doctor to decide |
| Antiperspirant under the breasts | can reduce sweat but can also irritate; not on sore skin without medical advice |
| Home remedies such as tea tree oil or vinegar | not proven; there is no firm evidence for any treatment of intertrigo |
Sources: DermNet: Intertrigo, Kalra et al. 2014, DermNet: Candidiasis of skin folds, Mistiaen & van Halm-Walters 2010, Black et al. 2011. A systematic review found no studies at all on preventing intertrigo and no firm evidence for any particular treatment (Mistiaen & van Halm-Walters 2010). The recommendations are therefore based mainly on experience and expert consensus.
Common mistakes
- Applying cream to the fold because the skin is sore. It is usually sore because it is too damp; a fatty film makes that worse.
- Rubbing it dry vigorously. The softened skin splits more easily.
- The same bra all day, even after sweating. The band holds the moisture exactly in that spot.
- Perfumed shower gel or deodorant in the fold. Fragrances can cause an additional reaction on irritated skin.
- Powder and cream on top of each other. This produces a sticky mass in the fold.
- An antifungal ointment on suspicion. Whether a fungus is involved only becomes clear on examination; other causes need something else.
When to seek medical advice
Drying and reducing friction help the skin; they do not treat fungal or bacterial infections. The first port of call is your GP or a dermatologist. Have the spot looked at if
- the skin weeps, smells unpleasant or shows small bumps or pustules at the edge; this points to an additional yeast infection (Kalra et al. 2014),
- weeping blisters, crusts or painful lumps form (DermNet: Intertrigo),
- the redness spreads, hurts badly or you develop a fever,
- you have diabetes or a weakened immune system; diabetes particularly favours the infectious form (DermNet: Intertrigo); see also Dry skin with diabetes: causes and care for feet and legs,
- the skin does not improve after one to two weeks despite keeping it consistently dry, or keeps coming back; after more than six weeks it is considered chronic (DermNet: Intertrigo),
- sharply defined, shiny red areas also appear elsewhere, for example on the elbows, knees or scalp,
- the breast itself changes: redness or discolouration of the skin of the breast, dimpling like orange peel, a lump or swelling in the breast or armpit, an inverted nipple, a rash on the nipple or discharge outside pregnancy and breastfeeding. This often has harmless causes but needs to be checked by a doctor (NHS: Breast cancer symptoms),
- the skin between your toes is similarly softened or smells; see Skin peeling between the toes: moisture, athlete's foot or dryness?
During pregnancy, discuss skin changes and any product you want to apply with your gynaecologist or midwife.
Frequently asked questions
What helps with sore skin under the breasts?
Keeping it dry: pat it dry carefully after washing and use a cool hairdryer, separate the skin surfaces with cotton or a textile strip, wear a well-fitting bra and take it off at home. If the skin weeps, smells or shows pustules, see a doctor.
Why does the skin under my breasts itch?
Usually because of sweat and friction in the fold, often where the bra sits. Yeasts, a contact allergy to fragrances or nickel in the underwire, or psoriasis can also be behind it.
Why does the skin under my breasts split?
Skin that stays damp for a long time softens and becomes vulnerable; with movement it splits in the fold. Drying and separating the skin surfaces help; deep or weeping cracks need a doctor.
Which ointment helps with intertrigo?
That depends on the cause. Fungi, bacteria or psoriasis each need something different; so your doctor should first find out what is involved. Protective zinc pastes are only an option on advice; oils and body butter do not belong in the fold.
Is intertrigo contagious?
The irritation caused by friction and moisture is not. Some pathogens that can join in, for example in a bacterial infection with crusts, can be passed on; your doctor will tell you what to watch out for.
What helps with sore skin in the groin or between the legs?
The same as under the breasts: keep it dry, wear loose cotton underwear, shower after sport and dry well. No product belongs on mucous membranes, and with a rash in the genital area the rule is always: have it looked at by a doctor.
Does a hairdryer help with intertrigo?
Yes, on the cool setting. Specialist sources name this as an effective way to dry the armpits and the fold under the breasts. Avoid warm air, because it makes you sweat even more.
At forpeople
We have no suitable product for skin folds, and we do not recommend one: our skincare consists of oils, butters and waxes, and these do not belong in a sore, damp fold. What helps there is dryness, air and the right clothing. If an infection is involved, you need medical advice.
More on this: Preventing chafing when running and cycling · Sweating in winter: causes and what you can do
Sources
- DermNet: Intertrigo. Oakley A (1998), revised August 2015, updated by Dennis J, November 2018, accessed 29 October 2026. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/intertrigo
- Kalra MG, Higgins KE, Kinney BS (2014): Intertrigo and secondary skin infections. Am Fam Physician 89(7): 569–573. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/0401/p569.html
- DermNet: Candidiasis of skin folds (Candidal intertrigo). Oakley A (2003), updated by Stewart T, November 2017, accessed 29 October 2026. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/candidiasis-of-skin-folds
- DermNet: Erythrasma. Oakley A, Ngan V (June 2014), updated by Gomez J (July 2016), accessed 29 October 2026. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/erythrasma
- Mistiaen P, van Halm-Walters M (2010): Prevention and treatment of intertrigo in large skin folds of adults: a systematic review. BMC Nurs 9: 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6955-9-12
- Black JM, Gray M, Bliss DZ, Kennedy-Evans KL, Logan S, Baharestani MM et al. (2011): MASD part 2: incontinence-associated dermatitis and intertriginous dermatitis: a consensus. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 38(4): 359–370. https://doi.org/10.1097/WON.0b013e31822272d9
- Dissemond J, Assenheimer B, Gerber V, Hintner M, Puntigam MJ, Kolbig N et al. (2021): Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD): A best practice recommendation from Wund-D.A.CH. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 19(6): 815–825. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddg.14388
- NHS: Symptoms of breast cancer in women. Last reviewed 4 March 2024, accessed 29 October 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms/
