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Diaper dermatitis. How to treat and prevent
1Division of Dermatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Insights
Diaper dermatitis in infants is typically caused by irritants. Prompt treatment with frequent changes, superabsorbent diapers, and topical corticosteroids usually resolves the condition, with antifungals for persistent cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Diaper dermatitis is a common infant skin condition.
- It is primarily caused by exposure to moisture, fecal enzymes, and chemical irritants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the common causes and effective treatments for diaper dermatitis in infants.
- To differentiate common diaper dermatitis from rarer dermatological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of common etiologies and clinical presentations of diaper dermatitis.
- Description of standard treatment protocols including hygiene, diaper type, and topical medications.
- Identification of warning signs for atypical or recalcitrant cases requiring further investigation.
Main Results:
- Most infant diaper dermatitis cases resolve with frequent diaper changes, superabsorbent diapers, and low-potency topical corticosteroids.
- Addition of antifungal agents is recommended for eruptions lasting over 3 days or with satellite lesions.
- Persistent or atypical rashes may indicate rarer conditions like psoriasis or Langerhans' cell histiocytosis.
Conclusions:
- Diaper dermatitis is largely manageable with conservative measures and appropriate topical therapies.
- Prompt recognition of atypical presentations is crucial for timely referral and diagnosis of underlying rare disorders.
Abstract:
Dampness, maceration, fecal enzymes, chemicals, and other irritants lead to diaper dermatitis in infants. Most cases can be cleared with frequent diaper changes, use of superabsorbent disposable diapers (which contain gelling material in their core), and a low-potency topical corticosteroid. If the eruption lasts for more than 3 days or classic erythematous satellite lesions are present, addition of an antifungal agent should help resolve the condition. Recalcitrant or clinically atypical eruptions may signify rarer disorders, such as psoriasis, Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, Leiner's disease, or acrodermatitis enteropathica. Patients with these conditions should be referred to a dermatologist, if possible, for further evaluation and treatment.