Diaper dermatitis is an inflammatory process on the skin of a nursing baby, occurs when it is influenced by bacterial, chemical (chemical substances contained in urine and feces), physical (high heat and humidity), mechanical (clothing tissues) factors that are allergic, toxic and irritating impact on the baby's skin.
Up to one year the skin of the child has a very thin horny (superficial) layer, because of what is distinguished by increased vulnerability and easily irritated. And unformed yet local immunity (protective properties of the skin) contributes to the rapid introduction of infection in the place of microtrauma. There are also advantages in the skin of infants: with timely treatment and proper care due to good blood supply to the skin, all changes quickly pass.
Most often suffer from such dermatitis are those children who are prone to allergies or are on artificial feeding.
Symptoms of dermatitis.
Diaper dermatitis can occur with varying degrees of severity. If the degree is light, then on the skin of the child there are patches of puffiness, redness and subsequent flaking without clear boundaries in the buttocks, lower abdomen, lower back.
If you do not eliminate the cause of dermatitis, then in the depth of the skin folds there are small erosions, surface cracks. This is an average degree of dermatitis.
In severe cases, in neglected cases, the surface layer of the skin is sharply macerated (maceration - swelling and maceration of the tissue), tearing away, thus forming wetting extensive erosion surfaces with uneven outlines.
It often happens that with an average and severe degree of dermatitis, infection (fungal, staphylococcal, streptococcal, and others) is attached. For a small child this is very dangerous.
Treatment of dermatitis.
Depends on the treatment of the severity of the disease. If the form is light, then it is recommended to carefully care for the child's skin: washing after each change of diapers, lubrication of areas of redness with baby cream or vegetable oil, previously boiled. You can use means against infection (for example, "Drapolen") and special ointments to prevent irritation (for example, Desitin) of the skin. It is desirable after the treatment of the skin to make the child air baths - for a few minutes leave it open. As diapers use better diapers, because they absorb moisture, and the skin dries less.
With medium and severe degree of dermatitis, it is recommended to use the means that contribute to the restoration of skin tissues (for example, ointments "Bepanten", "D-panthenol"). Use better combined products that have a disinfectant and restorative effect (for example, ointment "Bepanten plus").
The rules of caring for the baby to prevent the occurrence of dermatitis.
- Fabrics of diapers and clothes, even if they are thin, always irritate the delicate skin of the child. Therefore, it is not recommended to tightly swaddle an infant, even if it is a newborn (in the first 4 weeks of life). It will be enough to put on it 2 ryazhonki (flannel and thin, one of which must be sewn with sleeves), wrap in 2 diapers (also warm and thin) to the waist, making a "pouch" for the legs, in which the child can swing his legs freely.
- If the baby is sensitive, easily irritated skin, it is better not to use tissue diapers, but diapers, changing them after another stool or after 3 hours. Urine and feces of the kid contain biochemical substances (enzymes, ammonia, etc.), which, with prolonged exposure, irritate and corrode the baby's skin. Diapers and fabric diapers need to be changed every time they get wet.
- The child should be bathed daily, preferably in the evening before bedtime (in boiled water up to a month, in wet water after a month). Selecting cosmetic products for the care of the child should be tailored to individual tolerability.
- Baby clothes can only be washed with baby soap or baby detergent. To prevent infection on the baby's skin, all of his things should be washed and ironed.
Breastfeeding and proper care of the child are an excellent prevention of dermatitis.