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Mom has recently developed a rash under her tummy folds/in groin area/bottom. It appears to be intertrigo. In similar posts many recommend Desitin/zinc oxide. Frequent washing and drying of the area is also recommended. After applying zinc oxide to the area I tried washing it off my hands with soap and water but it wouldn’t come off. It took rubbing it off with a towel. I’m afraid rubbing the area for my mom will break the skin! Some of the areas are already cracked and so red. If I leave the Desitin there how can the skin be cleaned?
I will contact her doctor but it’s currently the weekend.
Many also recommend applying nothing and just letting the area dry. We will try to do this but Mom has had back surgery and does not lie flat in a bed. She stays full time in a lift chair. (She can get up and down and uses a walker to walk).
My other questions is whether there’s anything that can gently keep the stomach folds lifted—like a bra does for breasts?
Any advice is welcome!
I’m not her full time care giver but I am worried about her. :(

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The hospital washed my mothers folds. Dried thoroughly with hair set on COOL. When dry they applied Nystatin powder to keep it dry.
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When you apply a thick ointment like that "pat" it on rather than wiping it on. Patting it on will have a finer coating than wiping it on. Just put a tiny bit on your gloved fingertips and pat. If you need more use a bit more. The area does not have to have a thick coating.
To get it off, soap and water. If it all does not come off do not worry about it. clean the area as best as you can. Excess will eventually come off. It will either come off on clothing or slough off as the skin sheds.
My Husband used to develop a rash like you are describing in the skin folds. The Hospice Nurse ordered Nystatin Powder and that worked well. The rash might be due to fungal (yeast) infection.
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Don’t use it. I’ve worked in nursing for over 35 years and destine is not the answer. Use A&D ointment for rashes and skin breakdown. If you must use destine, try taking it off with baby oil. That works. ☺️
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Be careful! I was so sick, if things had progressed to sepsis, I could have died from a severe rash that turned out to be a yeast infection. I'd had mild ones before, so I used Nystatin, but I couldn't really get rid of it - over a year! - until my derm gave me Keoconazole. your loved one should see a derm; if she can't go, consider a tele visit with the doctor or at least a photo from your cell phone to show the doctor. She shouldn't let this go! Also there are strips of cloth sold to separate a tummy fold from the abdomen - they are in lots of on line catalogs, check out ones like Dr. Leonard, etc. and several have them. God bless you for all you do.
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My mom has frequent rashes, fungal & sometimes yeast. Her primary prescribed
Keoconazole cream. We use soft baby wipes with soap & water to wash off excess cream before applying fresh cream. Keep the area dry. We have used gauze 4X4's and tucked into skin folds, left there to keep area dry.

For the days there are no rashes she uses gold bond powder. Daily inspection is needed on all fold areas to stay on top of these rashes. They can get bad fast.
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A & D ointment is the best for this believe me because I have the same problem as your mother and this is the best I have found. And I have tried everything believe me.

Prayers.
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I don't think you need to be aggressive in removing the ointment, it's there as a protective barrier and she likely wouldn't benefit from being be scrubbed back to raw skin.

Have you done a forum search on skin folds?
https://www.agingcare.com/search?term=skin+folds
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My dermatologist recommends mixing prescription strength cortisone cream and nystatin cream.
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BurntCaregiver Oct 2022
The Nystatin cream is like a miracle.
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Under the tummy and groin area (if it's sides of the legs) there in an anti-fungal powder called phytoplex. The name brand is 'Remedy'. This works wonders. As for her backside, don't scrub her skin to get the Desitin off. It won't do any harm leaving it on. Just wash her normally when you bathe her.
Using cleansing spray specially formulated to clean urine and feces every time she goes will also help to clear up her skin conditions. Nystatin cream (perscription) or Nystatin powder is like a miracle for these conditions.
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I am 80 soon to be 81 in November. I have raised 4 children and helped raise 7 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren. We have basically never used anything but Udder Salve for diaper rash or any times the children or ourselves might have dry areas on our bodies. You can get it at most Drug Stores and Walmart usually carries it. It has been a life saver when some of the other creams that were recommended only made the areas worse. I still use it today. My husband, who has Alzheimer's, is a large man and has several folds and I try to keep them from getting infected in this way.
I the above mentioned stores do not carry it, any farm sales will have it in their
inventory.
You may think I'm senile, but try it, you might like it.

Naomi Hartness
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