Derm Cases · Medicine
OSCE — Intertrigo
Eight-minute OSCE station on Intertrigo: focused history, examination priorities, investigations, emergency and definitive management.
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Study tools
Target exams
Brief (to candidate)
You will assess a patient with a presentation consistent with Intertrigo.
You have 8 minutes to take a focused history, outline examination, investigations, and management including red flags.
Clinical context
Intertrigo is a common inflammatory dermatosis of opposed skin surfaces (skin folds) caused by the triad of moisture, friction, and warmth, presenting as well-demarcated, glistening, macerated erythema with fissuring in intertriginous areas (inframammary, axillary, inguinal, abdominal pannus, intergluteal cleft, neck, interdigital webs, peristomal). It is a clinical descriptor rather than a microbiological diagnosis: secondary colonisation with Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, beta-haemolytic streptococci, Corynebacterium minutissimum (erythrasma), or dermatophytes is layered on an irritant, macero-inflammatory base. Risk factors include obesity, diabetes mellitus, hot humid climate,
[1]Candidate tasks
- Clarify onset, severity, associated features, and red-flag symptoms.
- State focused examination priorities.
- List first-line investigations and any named score/criteria.
- Give immediate resuscitation steps.
- Outline definitive management with doses/routes where standard.
- Name complications and disposition (ward / HDU / theatre / discharge safety-net).
- Mention one special-population modifier (pregnancy, child, elderly, CKD).
Examiner checklist
| Domain | Pass behaviours |
|---|---|
| Definition | Correct working diagnosis language |
| Assessment | Focused, prioritised, red flags sought |
| Investigations | Appropriate first-line + interpretation |
| Emergency care | ABC / time-critical actions first |
| Definitive care | Specific drugs/procedures, not generic phrases |
| Safety | Persistent or recurrent intertrigo despite correct treatment — screen for diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression |
| Safety | Spreading erythema with fever, chills, or systemic upset — cellulitis or necrotising infection: escalate urgently |
| Safety | Recurrent crusted flexural erosions unresponsive to antifungals or antibacterials — reconsider the diagnosis and biopsy |
| Communication | Clear plan and safety-netting |
Model outline
Lead with the working diagnosis and life threats. Resuscitate before definitive tests when unstable. Use guideline-standard therapy with named agents and doses. Document escalation criteria and follow-up. A safe candidate is specific, structured, and never delays critical care for non-urgent imaging.[1]
References1ShowHide
- [1]Romanelli M, Voegeli D, Colboc H, et al. The diagnosis, management and prevention of intertrigo in adults: a review J Wound Care, 2023.PMID 37405940