Diaper rash
Diaper rash is an acute inflammatory
reaction of the skin in the diaper area.
Etiology,signs and symptoms:
-Normal newborn urinate very frequently.
-Breast-fed infants tend to urinate less
frequently and have a lower incidence of
dermatitis than infants who are bottle-fed
because of the lower alkalinity of the urine
and feces.
Diaper rash begins between folds of the skin
in the diaper area where the skin is warm ,
moist and exposed to irritants and
bacteria.
Diaper rash rang from erythema with
maceration to lesions that may become
vesicular.
Diaper rash is characterized by red, puffy
and perhaps slightly warmer skin in the
diaper region — buttocks, thighs and
genitals. More common in babies during
.first 15 months .
Causes:
-Irritation from stool and urine
Prolonged exposure to urine or feces can .
irritate a baby's sensitive skin.
-Ammonia
Saprophytic aerobic bacteria is ferment urea
to ammonia which raises the pH and
cause diaper rash.
-Introduction of new foods:
Changes in your baby diet can increase
frequently of stools which can lead to
diaper rash.
-Bacteria or fungi infection:
The moist , warm and alkaline enviroment in
the diaper area lead to fungal and
bacterial growth.
-Sweat retention:
If soiled diaper is not changed, the stratum
corneum in this area become waterlogged,
this cause plugging of sweat glands which
cause sweat retention .
Erythematous papules result from dilatation
and rapture of the epidermal of sweat
gland.
Mechanical irritants:
Tightly fitting diapers covered with plastic
pants increase the humidity and
tempreature in the diaper area and keep
air away from the skin , this cause
irritation.
Chemical irritants:
Antiseptics and harsh soaps contain salicylic
acid, mercurials, phenols , sulfur.
Preventions:
-Change diapers often .
-Diaper should be made of soft material and kept
loose to prevent rubbing.
-Diaper area should be cleaned at each diaper
change.
-Skin folds should be cleaned by rinsed with water.
-Diaper area should be dry before clean diaper is
put on.
Treatment:
-The best treatment for diaper rash is to keep
your baby's skin as clean and dry as possible.
-Often using various over-the-counter "diaper
creams", but sometimes people use petroleum
jelly and shark liver oil or cod liver oil; zinc oxide
based ointments, and,
-In extreme cases, anti-fungal cremes. Low
concentration hydrocortisone creams are also
sometimes used to treat the symptoms of diaper
rash.
-Healing promoters:
Vit A and D
-Antiseptics agents:
Against secondary infections