Diaper rash: how to recognize it and its remedies

A newborn cannot do without diapers. However, it happens very often that the skin on the bottom becomes irritated, thus generating what is known as diaper rash.

Diaper rash is nothing more than an erythematous dermatitis , caused by rubbing with the sanitary napkin of the little ones. This appears in the buttocks area, on the belly, on the upper part of the thighs and on the genitals. The symptoms are:

• Reddened skin, burning and itching;
• Swollen skin, sometimes swollen, or on the contrary, very dry and flaking;
• Scattered spots of a different color than the rest of the skin may sometimes appear on the groin.

Let’s take a closer look at this problem, analyzing the causes and then moving on to the remedies and treatment, also and above all from a prevention perspective.

When your baby has a very red bottom, the diaper is probably to blame, causing irritation. It is no coincidence that the most common symptoms appear in the lower abdomen area.

The main cause of diaper rash is due to the rubbing of the diaper with the baby’s skin, which is very delicate by nature. This, along with other factors, creates redness, burning and itching. Other causes include:

• Excessive sweating in the area;
• Excessive hydration ;
• Failure to cleanse from feces and urine ;
• Use of detergents that are not suitable for newborns’ skin;
• Poor transpiration of the epidermis;
• Proliferation of pathogens.

Diaper rash can sometimes be a symptom of a more complex problem that requires treatment by a doctor. In fact, when we have bacterial or fungal infections , our baby may have contracted diaper candidiasis (also known as diaper fungus and diaper mycosis). This type of infection proliferates a lot in warm, humid environments and can occur:

• if the baby is not changed promptly;
• in the presence of diarrhea;
• if the skin is particularly sensitive and delicate;
• if the child has undergone treatment with antibiotics that alter the intestinal flora;
• if the newborn has changed eating habits, switching from breast milk to weaning.

Candida in newborns has symptoms similar to diaper rash. Sometimes these can be more acute, pimples and blisters may appear, as well as pus. If left untreated, diaper rash can get worse, but with the right prescription cream it can be resolved in a short time.

Contact dermatitis in newborns appears in the first months of life and worsens when the baby begins to move and sit. Generally, since it is a very common condition, it disappears in a short time and without any particular treatment. If we are not in the presence of candidiasis, or other skin diseases (such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis) – in which cases it is best to seek the opinion of a pediatrician – diaper rash can be treated very simply. It is necessary, in fact, to always keep the newborn’s skin clean and dry, as well as to change the baby frequently .

To relieve itching and say goodbye to redness, it is good to apply a delicate cream to the baby’s skin, such as AtopiControl Crema Fasi Acute which provides immediate relief, even during the night. Thanks to its active ingredients (Licochalcone A, Decandiol and Mentoxipropanediol) it is indicated in the treatment of dermatitis in newborns.

The ideal is to prevent irritation and inflammation of the skin at each diaper change by using Eucerin Aquaphor Repair Treatment , a semi-occlusive and breathable barrier ointment, which, thanks to its water-free composition, protects the skin from contact with urine and feces, and from the rubbing of the diaper. The presence in the formulation of panthenol, a re-epithelializing agent, and bisobolol, a soothing extract from chamomile, prevents the problem from recurring.

As often happens, prevention is the best cure. To avoid your baby’s bottom getting irritated, the first thing to do is to follow a series of measures useful for combating diaper allergies. Here’s what to do:

• Always keep your baby’s skin dry and clean ;
• Try to let it breathe as much as possible;
• Use gentle cleansers formulated for the skin of little ones;
• Change the newborn often, so that he does not remain in contact with feces and urine for too long;
• Use a cream indicated for dermatitis in newborns.