Pediatrician names skin inflammation caused by infrequent diaper changes
The doctor told how to treat diaper rash (photo: Freepik)
Diaper dermatitis often occurs in the first week of a baby's life and is a common condition that should be recognized in time. The Ukrainian pediatrician Daria Vlasenko listed the products that should absolutely not be used.
Why it occurs
Diaper dermatitis is a common form of irritant contact dermatitis. It is most often caused by prolonged contact of the skin with urine and stool, which destroys the skin's outer layer and causes inflammation.
It can be triggered by infrequent diaper changes, diarrhea, dietary factors, and recent use of antibiotics.
Diaper dermatitis can develop as early as one week of age, but the peak incidence occurs between 9 and 12 months.
Factors that contribute to local disruption of the skin's barrier function:
- Excessive moisture: Constant moisture in the diaper area, caused by the combination of the diaper's occlusive effect with urine and stool, leads to maceration of the skin and the destruction of the epidermis outer layer.
- Friction: Skin maceration increases its sensitivity to friction from the diaper, which worsens the skin's barrier function. This can facilitate the penetration of chemical irritants and microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi.
- Fecal enzymatic activity and pH change: When urine and stool interact, fecal bacteria release enzymes that disrupt the skin's functions.
- Alteration of the skin microbiome and increased pH: Increased pH due to fecal enzymatic activity disrupts the skin microbiome, increasing the skin's susceptibility to bacterial colonization.
According to the doctor, this dermatitis usually occurs on the raised surfaces of the skin that come into direct contact with the diaper.
It manifests as intense redness and spots that often merge into plaques, swelling, and peeling of the affected areas.
In severe cases, superficial erosions (ulcers) may be observed.
How to treat
Increase the frequency of diaper changes. This limits prolonged skin contact with stool and urine and is an important aspect of treating diaper dermatitis.
If possible, the baby should be given periods of diaper-free time (for example, a few hours a day), allowing the skin to come into contact with air directly.
Gentle cleansing is also essential in treating this condition. The diaper area should be gently cleaned with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent with physiological pH.
Alternatively, baby wipes without fragrances and alcohol can be used, but they should be discontinued if the skin becomes irritated.
What to avoid
Powders such as cornstarch or talc pose a significant respiratory risk if accidentally inhaled, so they should be avoided.
Powders like baking soda and boric acid should also be refrained from due to the risk of toxicity from transdermal absorption.
Topical barrier creams are typically used as initial therapy for mild and moderate diaper dermatitis.
"It is believed that human breast milk has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In one study that covered 150 cases of mild and moderate diaper dermatitis, breast milk was just as effective as a 1% hydrocortisone cream in resolving the rash after 7 days of treatment," said the doctor.
Read also about essential baby items recommended by a pediatrician.
Earlier, we wrote about why children throw tantrums before bedtime and how to avoid them.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
