Diaper rash (symptoms, causes, treatment, prevention)

Many people face such a problem as diaper rash. They affect infants, the elderly, and bedridden patients. To prevent this unpleasant disease from progressing, it is important to start appropriate treatment for diaper rash on time and be aware of preventive measures.

Diaper rash is an inflammatory skin lesion that most often occurs in its folds. Children suffer the most from them. Diaper rash in children appears between the fingers, in the gluteal, groin and muscle folds. Women have them under their breasts. Diaper rash in overweight adults can occur in the folds of the abdomen or in the armpits. In some patients who always keep their hand clenched into a fist, they appear in the folds of the palm.

What does diaper rash look like in babies?

Experts distinguish three degrees of diaper rash in newborns.

1st degree.

The initial stage of diaper rash in children is characterized by slight redness. Such diaper rash most often occurs in the folds of the skin. Usually the child will not pay attention to this minor discomfort, but parents should take the symptoms very seriously. As a rule, getting rid of diaper rash in newborns at the first stage is quite simple, but if you miss the moment, it will be more difficult later.

2nd degree.

At the next stage, the baby develops severe diaper rash - its color becomes more intense, and damage to the surface layer of the skin (erosion) appears. Diaper rash of the second degree causes anxiety in the baby. He may reach out with his hands and react nervously when touching sore areas, for example, when changing a diaper. This stage already requires special means, but before treating diaper rash in infants, parents should definitely consult a doctor.

3rd degree.

Bright redness, intense erosion, wet cracks in the skin, ulcers and small ulcers - this is what diaper rash looks like in a newborn at the most serious stage. The child feels constant itching, and this affects his behavior. The baby's sleep and appetite worsen, he is often capricious and cries. Such severe diaper rash in a newborn requires immediate consultation with a doctor and starting treatment as quickly as possible.

We hope our description helped you understand. But if you wish, you can find diaper rash in girls and boys in photos on the Internet and see what this disease looks like at different stages.

Treatment

In the initial stage of the disease, it is enough to remove the causes of its appearance. It is necessary to frequently and thoroughly wash all folds of the skin with warm water, a pink solution of potassium permanganate, and special antiseptic agents. After washing, be sure to thoroughly blot with a cotton cloth until completely dry, powder with talcum powder or use baby cream, zinc ointment, or any drying creams and ointments. It is necessary to ensure free access of air to the sore areas; if necessary, gauze pads can be attached to them. For moderate severity of diaper rash, lotions and compresses are effective. Therapeutic baths based on medicinal herbs are very helpful in the fight against diaper rash. In addition to the purely therapeutic effect, they provide an opportunity to rest and relax, and have a beneficial effect on the human body as a whole.

Why do diaper rash occur in children?

To understand how to get rid of diaper rash, you first need to understand why it occurs. Indeed, at the first stage, it is often enough to simply remove the irritants so that the baby’s diaper rash disappears.

Moisture

Moisture is the main cause of diaper rash in a newborn. In an effort to protect their baby from colds, parents often overheat the room or wrap the baby too tightly, causing the baby to sweat. Diaper rash from sweat in newborns primarily appears in the armpits, skin folds and other places of increased sweating.

Regular water procedures wash away body secretions and a significant amount of bacteria from the skin. However, what helps with diaper rash in newborns can also cause it. Water remaining on the skin after bathing is another source of excess moisture. To prevent it from getting under clothes, it is recommended to dry the baby thoroughly and let his body breathe for 10–15 minutes before dressing.

And, of course, diaper rash in newborns can appear from moisture from diapers. Pay attention to your baby's signals and carry out hygiene procedures in a timely manner. Remember: diapers can reduce the risk of diaper rash on the bottom of newborns, but only if they are changed regularly.

Friction

Diaper rash can occur due to mechanical stress on the skin. To prevent this from happening, do not swaddle your baby too tightly, do not put tight clothes on him, and avoid synthetic fabrics. Due to friction, diaper rash can also appear under the diaper belt of a newborn. This usually happens if the belt is too tight, or diapers of dubious quality were purchased.

Chemical irritants

Another reason why a newborn baby may develop diaper rash is the baby's sensitivity to certain chemicals. They can get on the skin from clothes, diapers, and cosmetics. What helps against “chemical” diaper rash in newborns? The answer is simple: buy products for your child only from manufacturers in which you are 100% confident.

Other factors

There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of this disease - excess weight, a tendency to allergies, the location of blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. There is also a gender dependence: diaper rash occurs more often in newborn girls than in boys.

Pathogenesis

In the development of diaper rash, increased sweating and friction of the skin, which cause inflammation, are of primary importance. In addition, a higher temperature is created in closed folds of the skin compared to open and ventilated areas of the body. Accumulation of sweat and friction under elevated temperature conditions increase maceration (damage) of the skin. Fungi and bacteria contained on the skin actively multiply and lead to the development of skin infections. A decrease in skin protective factors and the presence of damage create conditions for pathogens to penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis. Thus, dermatophytes (a type of fungus) have a keratolytic effect - they destroy the keratin of the stratum corneum, causing a pronounced and long-lasting inflammatory process.

Where do diaper rashes usually form? Under a diaper?

Problems usually appear in the folds of the skin, i.e. in places where moisture evaporation is difficult. The most comfortable place for diaper rash in a newborn is between the legs - in the groin area and between the buttocks, under the armpits. Also, diaper rash in a baby can form on the neck and between the toes.

As you can see, this disease manifests itself not only on the butt in a diaper. It can pop up unexpectedly anywhere. Diaper rash can even occur behind the ears, especially in newborns whose parents wear hats that are too thick and tight.

List of sources

• Samtsov A.V., Sukharev A.V., Nazarov R.N., Bondar O.I., Patrushev A.V., Fedotova M.A. The effectiveness of Pimafukort cream in the treatment of patients with intertrigo of fungal etiology / Russian Journal of Skin and Venereal Diseases. 2011;14(4):42-46.
• Dermatovenereology: National manual edited by prof. Yu.S. Butova //Moscow. "Geotar-Media", 2014, p. 886.
• Nosonova A.V. Complex differentiated therapy of patients with infections of large skin folds using etiotropic drugs and immunomodulators / Dermatovenerology. Cosmetology. Sexopathology. — 2012.— No. 1-4.— P. 297-302.
• Skripkin Yu. K. et al. Skin and venereal diseases: A guide for doctors. – M., 2001. – P. 4-13
• Gorlanov I. A., Zaslavsky D. V., Leina L. M. Skin diseases associated with obesity / Bulletin of Dermatology and Venereology. - 2016. - No. 6, pp. 20-26.

Are prickly heat and diaper rash in newborns the same thing?

No, these are different diseases. Diaper rash in newborns occurs due to various reasons, and prickly heat, as the name suggests, is only caused by excessive sweating. At the initial stage, prickly heat manifests itself in a similar way - as slight redness of the skin, but then develops into small blisters with clear or cloudy contents.

For a better understanding, find a photo of prickly heat and, for example, diaper rash on a newborn’s bottom - as you will see, they look completely different.

The good news is that there is no need to treat heat rash, you just need to eliminate its causes - overheating of the baby and clogged pores. Traditional methods of preventing diaper rash in newborns, including maintaining the correct temperature in the room, water and air baths, usually eliminate miliaria.

Prevention

For patients prone to excessive sweating and diaper rash, it is important to follow the following recommendations:

• Dress according to the season, do not wear tight underwear and avoid synthetic clothing.
• During the hot season, work in an air-conditioned room.
• Follow hygiene procedures daily, dry the folds thoroughly, wipe with salicylic alcohol and powder them with a mixture of talc and zinc oxide .
• After bowel movements and urination (involuntary and natural), wash the skin folds.
• Take frequent air baths (lie with your arms up, legs out, place rollers between your fingers, thus spreading your fingers).
• Bedridden patients often change their underwear (bed and underwear) to dry ones.
• In case of candidiasis of the skin, bedding and underwear should be disinfected by boiling.

How to avoid diaper rash?

Many diseases are easier to prevent than to cure, and diaper rash in a newborn is no exception. What to do to protect your baby from this scourge? Nothing complicated!

1. Avoid situations where your child sweats:
   Monitor the temperature in the room. It is advisable that the thermometer does not rise above 18–20 degrees. This will significantly increase the chances of both avoiding diaper rash and protecting the baby from prickly heat.
2. Refuse synthetics in favor of natural fabrics (cotton, linen).
3. Try not to wrap your baby up.
4. Minimize the risk of friction:
   Do not put tight clothes on your child.
5. Avoid rough fabrics.
6. Follow the rules of hygiene:
   Bathe your baby daily.
7. Treat skin folds with protective cream or baby oil. Pay special attention to problem areas - under the arms, on the neck, in the groin, between the buttocks.
8. After bathing, dry your baby's body with a towel, but do not rub him. In addition to regular textile towels, you can also use paper towels.
9. To avoid diaper rash, use only products from reputable manufacturers.
10. Change diapers regularly and do not forget about the benefits of air baths lasting about 10-15 minutes.

Causes

In the occurrence of diaper rash, mechanical and infectious factors are of primary importance. The reasons for its appearance are:

• increased sweating and poor skin ventilation;
• uncomfortable and tight clothing, especially made from synthetic materials;
• trauma and friction;
• increased temperature and humidity of the environment, which explains the high level of seasonal morbidity;
• excess weight;
• excessive vaginal or rectal discharge;
• immobility of the patient;
• insufficient hygiene or lack thereof;
• decreased immunity .

Two predisposing conditions, obesity and diabetes, increase the incidence of diaper rash. If we consider the infectious factor, diaper rash can be caused by bacteria, dermatophytes and fungi of the genus Candida. Most often, damage to skin folds is caused by opportunistic and pathogenic fungi.

Bacterial and mixed bacterial-fungal infections take second place. Moisture creates the environment that is most favorable for the development of infection. Candida fungi in hot and humid climates become the main causative agents of secondary infection in diaper rash.

Complex drugs

This group contains several active substances, which provides a high therapeutic effect. The most effective treatment for diaper rash and itching is:

Clinical manifestations

Constant local symptoms characteristic of diaper rash in the groin are:

• soreness of the affected skin area;
• itching of the skin, sometimes unbearable, forcing a person to scratch the skin until it bleeds;
• burning.

Common symptoms include insomnia, nervousness, constant tension and bad mood. Diaper rash in the groin in men and women goes through several stages of development of the inflammatory process:

• In the first degree of severity, the skin is not damaged, local redness is objectively observed.
• The second degree is characterized by the formation of cracks, erosions, and, when an infection is attached, pustules.
• The third degree of severity is manifested by pronounced and bleeding erosions and cracks. Damaged skin becomes covered with a foul-smelling grayish-brown coating.

The clinical picture unfolds gradually, but quickly. Typically, the inflammatory process from the first to third stages takes about two to four weeks, but in some patients the disease develops in a few hours.