Diaper rash is any rash on the skin that is covered by a diaper. Other names for diaper rash are diaper dermatitis or Irritant diaper dermatitis. It is an inflammatory skin reaction of the perineal and perianal areas. Sometimes the rash may also be seen on the buttocks, perianal, genital, inner thighs, and waistline. Diaper rash is one of the most common skin diseases in early childhood. Diaper rash in infants is high, ranging from 36 to 75%, with severe cases from 1 to 24%, in premature and full-term infants.
Cause and diagnosis
Diaper rash is usually caused by wetness and friction. Urine and stool (pee and poop) can cause even more irritation and this leads to breakdown of the skin. Products used to clean the skin can sometimes add to the irritation. Once the skin under the diaper becomes irritated, germs like bacteria and yeast can infect the skin and worsen the rash. In some cases, other skin conditions, like psoriasis, can be worsened or triggered by diaper rash.
Diaper rash is common in babies. Anyone wearing a diaper or adult brief can develop diaper rash. The use of an incontinent pad can also be cause of of diaper rash. About one-half of all babies develop diaper rash at some time during their first two years of life. Diaper rash is most common between 9 and 12 months of age. Diaper rash is more common when the child is having frequent bowel movements or diarrhea. An illness, a medication like an antibiotic, or a change in diet can cause changes in bowel movements.
Risk factors
Risk factors of diaper rash are:
Age: The skin of a baby is different than the skin of an adult. It shows an increased chance of developing diaper rash.
Diet: changes in diet can affect the intestinal bacteria and pH.
How often does the baby have its diaper changed: If the baby is not quickly changed, contact with urine and feces increases the risk of skin inflammation. Babies that get changed more often are less affected than older infants.
Treatment
Superabsorbent disposable diapers are better than cloth diapers when there is diaper rash. A baby can sometimes become allergic to the dyes in diapers. If a baby gets a lot of rashes, switching to a plain white, dye-free, disposable diaper can help. Medicated creams both prescription and not prescription can be used. Prescription creams for diaper rashes are able to treat yeast infection or a bacterial infection. Treating the diaper rash can involve the use of barrier cream to prevent urine or stool from contacting the skin.
