A mother of a newborn should always carry the best diaper rash cream in the baby bag. Diaper rash is not in vain called "diaper dermatitis" - most often they appear in newborns and infants. This is due to the peculiarities of their skin: the outer stratum corneum, which reliably protects the adult body from external influences, is very thin in children, microtrauma, and inflammation easily appear on it. Also, the sebaceous glands in children are still immature, and the pH of the skin stabilizes only by 3 months - therefore, foci of inflammation so easily arise even with proper care. Lifestyle can also cause diaper rash in infants: frequent baths with detergents destroy the lipid layer of the skin, which performs a protective function, and the inevitable contact with moisture when using diapers creates favorable conditions for the development of inflammatory processes.
In itself, diaper rash gives the baby discomfort, and can also lead to disturbances in well-being. Without timely help, infectious complications are possible, which becomes a really serious problem. Therefore, prevention and proper treatment of diaper rash in newborns are so important.
Diagnosis of diaper rash in newborns
It is not difficult to detect diaper rash: after bathing the baby, parents are advised to always carefully examine his skin to notice characteristic redness. But changes in the skin can be caused by various reasons, in some cases, the help of a doctor is required for diagnosis and proper treatment.
Distinctive signs of diaper rash:
- Location on the body
Diaper rash usually appears in the skin folds (in the armpits, in the groin, between the buttocks), that is, where friction and high humidity are present. There are differences related to the gender of the baby: diaper rash in boys is often formed in the scrotum, in girls - between the legs. Redness on the face, arms, legs usually occurs for other reasons.
- Appearance
At the initial stages of diaper rash, they are a site of redness (hyperemia) without clear boundaries, slightly rising above the surface of the rest of the skin due to edema. Color intensity - from pink to bright red and bluish. If the infection joins, moisture, cracks appear on the surface of the reddened area, and pustules and rashes appear nearby. These manifestations give the baby physical discomfort, as they are accompanied by pain and itching.
- Speed and sequence of appearance of elements
Following redness, pustules and ulcers can occur. If the child has elements of a rash on clean, not reddened skin, this is not a diaper rash. Sometimes redness, including in folds, is associated with acute allergic reactions. In this case, spots on the skin appear quickly, increase in size, and merge.
If parents have doubts, it is better to consult a pediatrician.
Severity and stage of development of diaper rash:
- 1 degree: small in area, slight redness.
- Grade 2: severe redness, erosion, and cracks appear on the surface of the skin.
- Grade 3: the formation of ulcers, pustules, the inflamed area is bright red, moisture appears on its surface, the general condition of the child is disturbed.
