Diaper Rash: What It Is And How It Can Affect Your Loved Ones
Every year, millions of people and children suffer from diaper rash. The most typical demographics for it are elderly individuals, bedridden patients, and toddlers under the age of two. If left untreated, it may worsen and result in more serious problems like infection or scarring.
What Is Diaper Rash?
A red rash that appears on an adult or child’s diaper area is called diaper rash. Even though it usually affects young children and babies, wearing adult diapers or frequently losing control of their bladder or bowels can cause rashes in older adults. It typically manifests as a raised red area that resembles dots or tiny pustules and happens after extended exposure to moisture or body fluids. Diaper rash can, in severe cases, result in blistering, bleeding, and large welts.
What Causes It?
There are numerous causes of diaper rash. The most frequent is excessive exposure to urine and excrement, particularly when the individual is ill or infected. Skin sensitivity or allergy to the chemicals in diapers and wipes themselves are another factor. Finally, using too much cream, oil, lotion, or powder might irritate the skin and result in diaper rash. Some people think that eating foods like tomatoes that are high in acid can either cause or worsen diaper rash.
Forms Of Diaper Rash
Most people experience one of two primary types of diaper rash. Irritant diaper dermatitis is the most frequent type and manifests as a red rash with varying-sized raised bumps or welts. Numerous factors, such as food, eczema, allergies, and extended exposure to bodily excretions, can influence this kind of rash.
Candida albicans, a form of yeast, is the cause of candidiasis, the second most frequent type of rash. This kind of yeast is frequent when there is an imbalance between good and bad bacteria, and it can cause illness in any warm, damp environment.
Candida albicans, a form of yeast, is the cause of candidiasis, the second most frequent type of rash. This kind of yeast is frequent when there is an imbalance between good and bad bacteria, and it can cause illness in any warm, damp environment.
Treatment
Generally, treating diaper rash just requires buying an over-the-counter lotion or salve. On the other hand, some situations need for prescription antifungal creams or other drugs. When typical over-the-counter treatments have failed to resolve a severe case, Cosmetic Skin’s dermatologist, Dr. Rapaport, can diagnose and treat it. Typical over-the-counter, prescription, and home medicines include the following:
- Cornstarch
- A&D ointment
- Bleach baths
- Karaya powder
- Petroleum based ointments
- Creams containing zinc oxide
- Diaper rash paste (for extreme cases)
- Anti-fungal creams (to treat candidiasis)
- Thoroughly dry the area before re-diapering
- Thoroughly dry the area before re-diapering
- Use water instead of baby wipes to clean diaper areas
- Allow the area to breath by not re-diapering immediately
- Soaking the affected area in a warm oatmeal bath for ten minutes
Most diaper rash creams contain ingredients that moisturize the skin, reduce swelling, and provide certain vitamin compounds or anti-fungal/anti-bacterial properties that can speed healing and relief in the affected area.
Preventative Care
By changing diapers often and making sure the diaper region is dry, diaper rash may usually be avoided. Diapers should generally be checked at least every two hours, and if they are dirty, they should be changed right away. If you find a rash, you should clean the area right away and use an over-the-counter treatment. If you think the rash is being caused by the wipes you’re using, stop using them right once and use a mild wipe that doesn’t include alcohol. To protect skin at night, apply a thin coating of petroleum-based ointment. Finally, wicking moisture away from the skin with a more absorbent disposable diaper can help avoid diaper rash.
Make an appointment with a dermatologist for a diagnosis and appropriate therapy if the rash doesn’t go away or gets worse over the course of 72 hours while receiving treatment. Additionally, there are several indicators to be aware of that may indicate a more serious issue. Scales and lesions in the rash area, blisters or pimples outside the diaper area, fever, and exhaustion are a few symptoms.
Make an appointment with a dermatologist for a diagnosis and appropriate therapy if the rash doesn’t go away or gets worse over the course of 72 hours while receiving treatment. Additionally, there are several indicators to be aware of that may indicate a more serious issue. Scales and lesions in the rash area, blisters or pimples outside the diaper area, fever, and exhaustion are a few symptoms.
Conclusion
In most cases, diaper rash is quite easily treated with over the counter medications and other remedies. However, in extreme cases where the rash will not clear up or is an on-going problem you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Rapaport. He will be able to diagnose the rash accurately, give you a treatment plan and prescribe any necessary medications.