Diaper rash can be complicated by a variety of microorganisms, including yeasts and dermatophytes, bacteria, as well as allergic and irritant reactions to various medications and chemicals. There are also some rather exotic dermatological diseases that tend to appear in diaper rash areas.
The most common places for diaper rash to occur are areas of the skin that are in contact with each other, such as the groin, armpits, under the breasts, and skin folds.
About the disease
Regular irritation of the skin by clothing, friction of skin folds against each other and excess weight leads to the formation of diaper rash. Sweating and secretion of skin secretions form regularly moist areas on the skin, which are additionally irritated by friction. Bacteria and fungal infections quickly spread in moist areas with increased overheating, causing erythema and skin lesions.
This problem occurs:
- in infancy;
- in elderly people;
- in bedridden sick people;
- in overweight people;
- in men and women with insufficient body hygiene;
- in people with increased hydration.
Under favorable conditions, diaper rash occurs in different places, between the folds of the skin on the body.
Conditions for the occurrence of the disease
Conditions for diaper rash to appear:
- increased sweating;
- increased secretion of skin secretions;
- local overheating of the skin;
- urinary incontinence;
- bedsores;
- friction of synthetic clothing on the body.
Constant heat, humidity and skin secretions create conditions for the development of fungal or bacterial skin infections.
Stages of the disease
In order to determine the presence of diaper rash, you do not need to be a specialist; its symptoms are specific and clear at first glance. At a mild stage, diaper rash is considered more of a problem than a disease. However, further damage to the skin can lead to serious consequences, which are already classified as dermatological skin diseases.
- At the first stage of the disease, diaper rash is erythematous, with mild redness of the affected area of the skin. The problem area can be constantly moisturized through intense sweating and sebum secretion. If friction, as such, does not arise, then the problem can be eliminated quickly, by independent efforts.
- The second stage is redness and parallel irritation between the skin folds. Ignoring this stage of diaper rash can lead to a worsening of the condition of the affected area of the dermis. As a rule, this stage of the disease is caused not only by hyperhydration and secretion, but also by friction. This may be friction of the skin against synthetic or simply tight clothing, or skin against skin, in the case of obese people.
- The third stage is already positioned as a full-fledged disease. The affected area looks not only irritated and red, but also with cracks in the skin, which results in the formation of wounds on the surface. If we consider that the skin area is not just affected by friction, but also by the presence of an infectious agent, then we can assume that treatment at home will not bring results.
Also, skin lesions occur with urinary incontinence, this happens for obvious reasons. Constant humidity, the influence of the chemical composition of urine on the skin - all these factors create additional conditions for the occurrence of diaper rash:
- in older people;
- in infants.
Popular remedies for prickly heat
Let's consider what means are used in the fight against prickly heat and diaper rash:
- Bepanten. The main active component in the composition is dexpanthenol. Contains paraffin, lanolin, beeswax, almond oil. There are no contraindications, except for individual intolerance to the components. The average price is 500 rubles. Bepanten promotes wound healing, helps with diaper rash, cracks, burns, and dermatitis. It is applied to the affected areas twice a day.
The duration of the course is determined by the doctor. The product is approved for infants. It is hypoallergenic, does not cause irritation, and promotes rapid restoration of the epidermis.
- Zinc ointment. Very effective and at the same time cheap remedy (costs from 30 rubles). The composition includes zinc oxide, which has a drying, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic effect.
One of the auxiliary components is medical Vaseline, which relieves irritation and helps dry wet wounds. Apply the product up to six times a day, depending on the extent of the damage.There is only one limitation - increased sensitivity to the components. Its more expensive analogue is Desitin. In addition to petrolatum and zinc oxide, it includes lanolin and cod liver.
Acts like zinc ointment. Price - about 250 rubles.
- Baneocin. This ointment is based on two antibiotics - neomycin and bacitracin, which have a detrimental effect on bacteria and fungi. The child’s body does not get used to the active substances and helps to effectively fight infectious and purulent lesions.
This product has a number of contraindications - hypersensitivity to the substances in its composition, cardiac and renal failure, intolerance to aminoglycoside antibiotics, and disorders of the vestibular apparatus.In the absence of contraindications, the drug is approved even for newborns. Apply it to damaged areas up to two times a day. The duration of the course is determined individually. The price of the package is about 400 rubles.
- D-Panthenol and Panthenol-Teva. The active ingredient in both of them is dexpanthenol. They are identical in action, there is only a slight difference in price: D-Panthenol costs about 220 rubles, and Panthenol-Teva costs about 260.
They are applied twice a day to dry skin for 7-8 days.
Options for the development of the disease
Let's consider all possible options for the development of diaper rash and methods of treating it:
- in adult men and women;
- children;
- old people;
- bedridden patients.
In adults
Diaper rash in adults is a problem that occurs regardless of gender. Inflammation of skin folds or smooth skin occurs as a result of regular moisturizing of the skin, lack of air passage and the development of a fungal or bacterial infection.
Key points predisposing to the development of diaper rash:
- overweight;
- neglect of personal hygiene;
- diabetes;
- tight underwear made of low quality synthetic material.
If you are overweight, folds of skin form on the abdomen, between the intimate area and the inner thighs, between the buttocks, and under the breasts in women. These closed, unventilated areas have increased hyperhydration, secretion of skin secretions and increased heat transfer. These conditions, together, lead to the formation of diaper rash.
Among women
Women are susceptible to diaper rash under the breasts and between the folds of fat if they are overweight.
Diaper rash in women occurs in the form of redness, painful burning and rubbing:
- in the folds of the groin area;
- under the breast;
- armpits.
Causes of skin inflammation:
- excess weight;
- diabetes;
- excessive vaginal discharge;
- insufficient hygiene.
- In women with large breasts, diaper rash is a common occurrence. Visually, they are expressed in the form of redness and small pimples. The affected area is regularly moistened and the secreted secretion, mixed with the smell of sweat and the products of microorganisms, often has a specific odor.
- Diaper rash between the groin area and the inner thighs occurs when wearing underwear that is too thick or if you are overweight. Excess discharge from the skin area, vagina, drops of urine with insufficient hygiene are the cause of dermatological inflammation of the groin area.
- Inflammation of the skin under the arms is caused by hyperhidrosis and obesity.
Insufficient personal hygiene leads to serious irritations on the skin - wounds, cracks. When the affected skin interacts with clothing, the affected area increases and serious dermatological diseases appear.
Self-treatment
You can cure diaper rash at the stage of erythematous irritation on your own.
For treatment use:
- antibacterial ointments;
- creams;
- as well as powder to reduce moisture in the affected area.
- Diaper rash cream, as a rule, is selected the same as for the treatment of infant prickly heat.
- To relieve irritation and improve skin healing, use Bubchen cream and similar, hypoallergenic, designed for sensitive children's skin.
- You can use a moisture absorber - baby powder has been developed for this. You can sprinkle it on affected, reddened areas of the skin without visible damage. The powder is used more as a preventive measure for diaper rash.
- Treatment of diaper rash is carried out after taking a shower, wiping all problem areas dry. If the affected area is moderate and the skin is not damaged by cracks, you can use Bepanten ointment for treatment, which perfectly heals and restores the skin. The armpits can be treated with hydrogen peroxide and then treated with baby powder.
If you carry out these manipulations regularly, the skin will recover and the unpleasant burning sensation will go away.
Therapeutic and preventive measures to prevent dermatological inflammation:
- Maintain body hygiene.
- Use underwear made from natural thread in your size.
- Do not use synthetic shapewear during hot periods.
- If you are overweight, in the summer it is advisable to wear light pantaloons under your dress to protect your legs and groin area from friction.
- The bra should be selected according to the size of the chest and chest circumference. It is better to wear products made of cotton, elastane, nylon - materials that allow air to pass through.
- During the hot season, use antiseptic preparations to treat problem areas - between the groin area, under the arms, under the chest, between the folds of the stomach or body.
- Before going outside, you need to hygienically treat the affected areas with ointment, cream or powder.
- Try to reduce excess weight, which is one of the main causes of diaper rash.
Simple recommendations will help solve the problem of dermatological inflammation at the level of home treatment and prevention.
At home, you can use olive oil or any body oil if you don’t have Bepanthen or any other special product at hand. Instead of powder, you can use potato starch, which perfectly absorbs moisture and eliminates friction.
Streptococcal diaper rash
This dermatological inflammation of the skin occurs in areas with diaper rash, in case of neglect of hygiene. Constant moisture and excessive secretion contribute to the development of bacterial or fungal diaper rash.
- Streptococcal diaper rash affects an area of skin that is subject to prolonged friction and hyperhidrosis, resulting in ulcerations and cracks.
- Wounds on the dermis are often wet and emit an unpleasant odor. This is due to the fermentation of breakdown products of skin secretions and an infectious agent.
- Treatment of streptococcal lesions of the dermis is often accompanied by antifungal therapy, because an association with fungal infections cannot be excluded.
- For treatment, the surface of the wound is scraped to determine the infectious agent, after which the dermatovenerologist prescribes medicines and medicines produced by pharmacies.
Self-treatment at this stage leads to an increase in the affected area and progression of the disease.
Between the legs
Diaper rash in adults occurs in places with overhydration:
- between the legs;
- in the groin;
- under the arms;
- diaper rash between the toes.
Diaper rash between the legs does not have a specific gender and occurs in both men and women.
The occurrence of dermatological inflammation of the skin is influenced by:
- body weight;
- age;
- endocrine diseases;
- hyperhidrosis;
- insufficient personal hygiene.
Excess weight creates inconveniences such as sweating, body folds, and friction of body parts against each other. At the same time, local body temperature is increased, which, accordingly, leads to the development of various dermatological problems. Diaper rash between the legs occurs as a result of the inner thighs rubbing against each other.
If you take into account excessive sweating, inflammation of the skin between the legs can turn from irritation into superficial wounds in 10-15 minutes. Damage to the dermis causes pain and burning when walking, which adds even more discomfort.
In men, irritation between the legs can cause the inner thighs to rub against their underwear. Hypoallergenic baby cream, Bepanten ointment, Desitin cream for diaper rash will help get rid of diaper rash between the legs. For prevention, you can use baby powder and skin care oils.
In boys
Diaper rash in boys usually occurs as a result of drops of urine getting on their swimming trunks. The moisture in the groin area causes local inflammation. The appearance of diaper rash is also affected by:
- hyperhidrosis;
- presence of hair in the groin area;
- tight underwear;
- insufficient hygiene.
Adolescence passes with a constant release of hormones and increased sweating. This only contributes to the appearance of irritation. The affected area turns red, irritation appears in the form of red dots, which cause a constant burning sensation upon contact with the surface of the skin or clothing.
For therapy, a remedy for diaper rash is used, such as Bübchen baby cream or oil from the same company. Bepanten ointment, which has healing and bactericidal properties, cures well.
In older people
In older people, dermatological diseases are associated with:
- with changes in hormonal levels;
- urinary incontinence;
- excess weight;
- hygiene.
Inflammation of diaper rash in older people can occur:
- During prolonged exposure to the sun in hot weather.
- For even minor urinary incontinence.
- During illness with increased body temperature.
- In bedridden patients.
- If you are overweight.
Older people have a harder time maintaining personal hygiene, especially if they have dementia or other mental or health conditions. Excess weight and increased sweating also contribute to dermatological problems.
Treatment of diaper rash in older people comes down to daily treatment of wet or friction-prone areas of the body.
How to treat diaper rash in older people?
To treat irritations, you can use any antibacterial cream:
- Bepanten;
- Weleda;
- Sudocrem.
These drugs relieve irritation, soften and nourish the skin. In addition, the preparations are perfectly absorbed without leaving marks on clothes. For those who prefer folk remedies, there are remedies that can be prepared at home.
- Decoction of oak bark. Pour 50 g of oak bark with boiling water, in a volume of 1 liter. Insist in a water bath for 15-20 minutes. We wipe the affected areas of the skin with this decoction.
- Yarrow. A decoction of yarrow is prepared with 1.5 liters of boiling water - 0.5 g of dry pharmaceutical herb. Place the steep broth in a water bath for 15 minutes. Used as rubdowns and lotions. You can add 0.25 g of decoction to a bath of bathing water. Instead of yarrow, you can use chamomile.
In bedridden patients
In bedridden patients, in addition to bedsores, diaper rash may occur. Diaper rash appears in bedridden patients as a reddened area of skin under the breast, between the buttock folds.
The occurrence is preceded by:
- long-term hyperhidrosis;
- poor air ventilation;
- obesity;
- prolonged immobility;
- poor care.
The main reason is insufficient care, untimely change of underwear, diapers, untimely care of wounds or surgical incisions leads to swelling, redness and intertrigo of the skin.
Ointment for diaper rash in adults - Bepanten, can be used not only for adults, but also for infants.
In infants, the occurrence of skin dermatoses is caused by similar causes:
- untimely change of diapers and linen;
- insufficient body hygiene;
- too hot, poorly ventilated room.
The first symptom is the appearance of erythema, then a rash in the form of red pimples begins to appear on the skin. In children, diaper rash is often called infantile heat rash.
You can get rid of skin irritation by:
- ointments and creams;
- powders;
- bathing in a bath with celandine, chamomile.
Irritations can be smeared with sea buckthorn oil, antiseptic creams and ointments.
Between the toes
Diaper rash between the toes occurs due to sweating and constant humidity.
Additional conditions for the development of skin irritations:
- staying in closed shoes most of the day;
- shoes chosen out of season;
- shoes that are too tight or too narrow;
- insufficient hygiene.
Between the toes, in addition to an aesthetic problem, there is a risk of fungal infection. Warmth and moisture are the main conditions for the development of mycoses. Diaper rash between the toes can occur in association with a fungal infection.
Symptoms may include:
- itching between fingers;
- redness;
- cracks between toes;
- burning sensation and pain;
- weeping ulcerative wounds.
This problem can be cured with the help of antiseptic drugs, as well as drugs that absorb moisture. Treatment of the affected areas is carried out after treating the feet with an antiseptic, treatment is carried out 2-3 times a day.
For treatment, lubricating the interdigital area with zinc is suitable, after pre-treating the affected area with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine. Bepanten and Sudocrem ointments give good results.
How to make natural cream?
- Mix shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax. Place the container with the ingredients in a water bath.
Bring water to a boil and melt ingredients.
- Remove pan from heat and add fish oil, zinc oxide, bentonite clay and essential oil (if using).
- Mix everything thoroughly until cooled. I recommend using a stick or spatula for this, which you can then throw away.
- Pour the mixture into the container where you will store it. After cooling, stir it a few more times.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for 3 months.
- Use as needed as an ointment on the rash.
Prevention
Prevention of diaper rash is simple - maintain hygiene. In the presence of endocrine diseases or in diseases with forced immobility, care about hygiene must be carried out most carefully.
To do this, you can follow the following rules:
- Maintain body hygiene after every trip to the toilet, as well as in the morning and evening.
- Treat wounds promptly and change bandages.
- Rotate bedridden patients, placing them on different sides.
- Control your weight.
If irritation does appear, it should be treated with an antiseptic and a thin layer of ointment or cream should be applied. To do this, use the simplest creams for children.
Diagnosis by a doctor
To determine the etiology of diaper rash between the buttocks, you must consult a doctor. At the appointment, the doctor will conduct an examination, collect anamnesis and, based on this, prescribe treatment.
Differential diagnosis of diaper rash (diagnosis by exclusion):
- erythrasma;
- eczema;
- neurodermatitis;
- epidermophyte;
- intertrigo;
- psoriasis.
To identify the causative agent of diaper rash on the butt in an adult and exclude other dermatological pathologies, laboratory tests are carried out:
- scraping;
- smear;
- bacteriological culture.
Based on the diagnostic results and tests obtained, the doctor prescribes treatment for diaper rash. Therapy may consist of the use of special ointments, medications, and possibly antibiotics.
