Diapers cause skin rashes in the majority of infants and toddlers. Here are some pointers on how to prevent and protect infants from this painful affliction – K.P. Malini For latter-day parents, disposable diapers offer great convenience. But they have their drawbacks. Diapers cause skin rashes in the majority of infants and toddlers wearing them. A recent survey titled Diaper Rash! The Bottom Line on Baby Bottoms conducted in the UK found that a third of all diaper-wearing infants have suffered a rash at some point in time. Diaper rash is skin irritation in the covered area. The medical term for this common affliction is diaper dermatitis or chafing dermatitis, which is not limited to infants and can occur in persons of any age who wear diapers. According to the Mayo Clinic, USA: “Diaper rash is often related to wet or infrequently changed diapers, skin sensitivity, and chafing.” The symptoms are usually reddening of the skin, and in some cases, erosions on the superficial skin layers. If left untreated, the rash may develop pustules or small blisters. “In newborns and infants, diaper rash is very common,” says Dr Sribiju, consultant dermatologist at the Kerala Government Health Services, Kozhikode. “The incidence of diaper dermatitis is estimated to be between 7-35 percent with peak incidence at 9-12 months of age,” he says. Causes of diaper rash The common cause of the nappy rash is irritation or chafing due to friction of the diaper with the skin. It is triggered by a combination of factors, the most significant being prolonged contact with urine and faeces because of delay in changing diapers, skin maceration and in many cases, secondary infection with bacteria or candida albicans. “Nappy rash can be caused by a combination of wetness, frictional damage, impervious diaper coverings and increase in skin pH,” explains Dr Sribiju. A 2017 study by the Tehran Medical Sciences Branch of the Islamic Azad University, Iran, indicates a link between breastfeeding and diaper rash. The study found that when breastfeeding stops, the chances of infants suffering nappy rash increase. Moreover, early introduction of cereals and diet changes in the first year of life tend to accelerate the incidence of rashes, reports the study. Some research studies indicate that some commonly used baby care products can prompt skin irritation. A study published in the journal Paediatrics (January 2014) says that some children develop allergic contact dermatitis because of sensitivity to methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI), a combination preservative used in wet wipes. Therefore, using wet wipes to clean a baby’s tender bottom can be counter-productive in treating diaper rash. Other triggers include teething, diarrhoea, common colds, longer sleep periods at night, antibiotics, switching from breast milk to packaged baby foods, changing detergents and so on. For instance, some infants may be allergic to a new detergent used to wash cloth diapers triggering skin reactions. Infections, metabolic and nutritional deficiencies, and child abuse are other triggers. Types of diaper rash Mild. You will see pink or red spots on the inner surfaces of the…
