Why does diaper redness occur and how to deal with it?

In people with serious illnesses, who are forced to spend all or most of their time lying down or sitting, changes occur in the skin. Due to a decrease in the production of fats and collagen, the skin becomes very sensitive, dry, easily injured, but the wounds take a long time to heal, and pockets of infection and irritation arise. As a result, bedsores and diaper rash appear.

Causes of diaper rash in older people.

The most likely parts of the body to develop diaper rash are:

• Palms;
• Feet;
• Axillary region;
• Groin area.

A problem such as diaper rash (or intertriginous dermatitis) most often manifests itself in skin folds. Constant sweating along with regular friction provokes the appearance of diaper rash. There are also cases when diaper rash in older men and women appears in the intergluteal area. This problem becomes especially relevant in hot summer weather, which causes profuse sweating.

The baby has redness under the diaper: what to do first?

If you find that your baby has pimples and a red bottom under his diaper, don't panic. The main thing to do in this case is to relieve irritation and prevent the onset of the inflammatory process. If the redness is minor, it is recommended to rinse the buttocks, groin area, external genitalia and inner thighs with chamomile decoction at room temperature. In the presence of small diaper rash and red rash, it is advisable to use hypoallergenic baby powder (make sure that the baby does not accidentally inhale) or a special cream (to reduce friction and moisture).

If there is an advanced form of irritation, accompanied by swelling and inflammation, do not self-medicate, but seek medical help as soon as possible. Remember: in difficult cases, it is the pediatrician who must decide how to treat diaper rash.

Skin nuances in the elderly.

The skin loses its elastic qualities due to a decrease in the amount of hyaluronic acid and collagen produced, resulting in dermatosis. Due to the lack of these chemical compounds in the body, the skin becomes thinner and drier. Due to such physiological disorders, the skin is much more susceptible to friction. Intertriginous dermatitis can also have the following causes:

• Impaired functions of the adrenal glands and kidneys.
• Vegetative-vascular type of dystonia;
• Deviations in the functioning of the thyroid gland.
• Diabetes.

Skin cells in older people regenerate much more slowly due to loss of elasticity and physiological changes that are inevitable with natural aging. Therefore, dermatitis cannot be treated negligently; it must be treated. Women often suffer from dermatitis that appears under the mammary glands, this occurs due to changes in hormonal levels and high sweating.

Also, this disease can often manifest itself near the genitals. Older people do not always control the process of urination. In men, these signs can occur in the groin area, the reasons for this being that this area of ​​the body is most susceptible to friction.

People who are overweight or bedridden are much more susceptible to this disease. The body of an obese person produces an excessive amount of subcutaneous fat.

Red bottom from diapers: what to do to prevent redness?

You can avoid the appearance of rashes, irritation and red pimples under your diaper if you follow simple preventive measures:

• It is necessary to minimize contact of the baby's delicate skin with fecal residues. To do this, it is recommended to wash the child every time after defecation, using clean warm (not hot!) water.
• After completing the hygiene procedures, you need to carefully blot the child’s groin area and bottom with a soft cotton towel. In this case, you should avoid sudden rubbing movements, as they can cause new irritations.
• The baby's skin must breathe. To do this, it is recommended to reduce the time of her contact with diapers, limiting the use of these products only at night and during walks. In addition, it is advisable to leave the baby without clothes for 10-20 minutes every day to ensure a flow of fresh air to the skin (air baths).
• It is necessary to change the diaper every 1–3 hours during the day and at least once at night, as well as in case of severe soiling.
• Particular attention must be paid to choosing suitable diapers. It is advisable to opt for disposable three-layer ones made of hypoallergenic materials. It is also important to choose the right size: using a diaper that is too large can lead to leakage, while using a diaper that is too small will chafe delicate skin.
• The occurrence of red diaper rash is influenced by the newborn's feeding habits. Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from irritation than formula-fed babies. This is due to the difference in the composition of children's excrement: in infants who receive mother's milk, fecal enzymes have less activity, as a result of which the likelihood of developing irritation is reduced.
• To wash your baby's things (including cloth diapers, if you use them), you need to use special baby washing powders and conditioners that do not cause irritation.
• Monitor the temperature and humidity in the room where the baby is. If the room is too warm and/or humid, your baby's bottom will be more likely to develop diaper rash and redness.
• Using a suitable diaper redness cream or ointment is important. To protect your baby from irritation, diaper rash and redness, you can use a product from the La Cree brand - Diaper Cream. Its non-hormonal composition, which includes active ingredients such as zinc oxide, panthenol, jojoba oil, shea butter, beeswax and licorice extract, provides delicate care for the baby's groin area and buttocks. As a result of using this product, the baby’s skin receives the necessary protection from irritation and remains soft and velvety. The composition of the cream is completely safe, so this product can be used from the first days of the baby’s life.

Following these simple rules will help you protect your baby's tender bottom from the appearance of a red rash and keep her skin soft and healthy.

Types and stages of progression of intertriginous dermatitis:

There are three stages of development of this disease: first, second and third.

1. At the first stage of diaper rash progression, slight redness of the skin appears.
2. The second stage is characterized by the appearance of microcracks and a rash.
3. At the third stage of dermatitis, eczema appears.

Contact dermatitis is also a type of diaper rash. This dermatitis has characteristic signs, such as excessive weeping reddish rashes on the skin. This type of disease occurs due to contact with allergic pathogens. The manifestation of dermatitis in the groin area is its second type and is called “impetigo”.

General principle of rehabilitation

Itching between the buttocks requires targeted therapeutic actions, the scope of which can be determined after appropriate diagnosis by visiting a dermatologist

or, if necessary, using the advice of specialists in other specialized areas, depending on the established causal impact underlying the manifestation of the symptom.

In order to timely determine the parameters of service for any specialized institution in Moscow, with the ability to choose the most acceptable in terms of characteristics and convenient for visiting, we have created a reference book for private clinics “Your Doctor”, from the page of which you can immediately record a call to a dermatologist at home or the day and time of a visit to a specialist .

Publication date: 2018-02-07

Methods for diagnosing skin diseases:

• Diagnosis of skin diseases
• Diagnosis of skin diseases at home
• Diagnosis of allergic skin diseases
• Diagnosis of bacterial skin diseases
• Diagnosis of viral skin diseases
• Diagnosis of hair diseases
• Diagnosis of nail diseases
• Diagnosis of skin tumors
• Skin scraping
• Blisters on the skin
• Dermatoscopy
• Demodex tests
• Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections
• Mushroom tests
• Skin scraping

Intertriginous dermatitis: forms

• "Widespread." This form of the disease is called seborrheic dermatitis. In cases of this type of disease, diaper rash spreads from the gluteal region to the armpits.
• "Psoriasiform." This type of dermatitis is characterized by peeling skin.
• "Granulomatous". This dermatitis is often caused by a weakened immune system, and it has distinctive features in the form of brown rashes on the skin.
• "Herpetiform." This type of dermatitis is characterized by the appearance of blisters on the body.

Only a qualified dermatologist can diagnose intertriginous dermatitis. When making a diagnosis, a medical professional must conduct a distinctive diagnosis with diseases such as psoriasis, athlete's foot and eczema.

Prevention

A rash on the buttocks is difficult to treat. The skin constantly rubs against the fabric of clothing, dries and becomes inflamed. It is much easier to prevent this unpleasant symptom. To do this, be sure to follow the tips below. Strengthen your immunity. The body's protective functions weaken after an illness or during the cold season. It is necessary to take additional complexes of vitamins and minerals, strengthen the body with douches, and eat right. Bad habits also negatively affect the immune system, so it is better to give up smoking and alcohol altogether. Regularly carry out hygiene and cosmetic procedures for the skin of the buttocks. It's not enough to just take a shower. It is necessary to exfoliate at least once every 2 weeks, apply nourishing creams or hypoallergenic lotions to the skin. Use soft and pleasant to the touch sponges made from natural materials that do not irritate the epidermis. Be responsible when choosing underwear. It should not only be beautiful, but also comfortable, made from high-quality natural material. After washing, it is recommended to iron the laundry. When heated, any harmful bacteria that may remain on the panties will be destroyed. Always monitor your health closely. The appearance of pimples on the butt is a signal that the body is experiencing some kind of discomfort, and it must be eliminated. If the rash is profuse, you should immediately consult a doctor and undergo a medical examination.

Methods for treating diaper rash.

Treatment of diaper rash in elderly people can be carried out using both medications and folk remedies.
Healthcare providers recommend prioritizing the use of pharmacological agents that can treat the underlying cause of intertriginous dermatitis.

One of the methods of treating diaper rash in an elderly person is the use of manganese. Having made a weak solution of manganese with water, you need to use it to wipe the affected skin.

At this time, there are some difficulties with purchasing potassium permanganate; in this case, furatsilin can be used instead . Furacilin is an antimicrobial drug and is intended for external use. This drug is sold in two forms: solution and tablets. To treat diaper rash, it would be better to choose a liquid solution of furatsilin, this is the most convenient option for use. The duration of such treatment is from 5 to 7 days.

The most suitable for the treatment of dermatitis, which manifests itself in women in the form of diaper rash under the mammary glands, are lotions made from a solution of copper sulfates or a solution of zinc.

Specialists at the private home for the elderly "Edem" in Moscow and the Moscow region use only proven means for the prevention and treatment of diaper rash.

Causes

Most often, redness is observed due to the impact of various fungi and bacteria on the dermis of women and men. The pathology is not infectious in nature. You can determine that the rash is caused by an infection by the small blisters. They indicate the presence of foreign pathogens on the skin.

There are a sufficient number of harmful organisms near the anus. To be able to begin competent treatment of diaper rash between the buttocks in adults, it is necessary to determine the root cause of the rash on the tailbone.

Diaper rash in adults between the buttocks can occur for the following reasons:

1. Quite high air temperature. For this reason, there is excessive sweating, which provokes rashes.
2. Excess weight. It promotes continuous friction of the dermis and increased sweat production. As a result, it moves faster between the buttocks than in people who are not overweight.
3. Allergic reactions. Everyone knows the body’s reaction to the chemical components found in cosmetics and laundry detergents.
4. Underwear too small. Synthetic fabrics, small size, high material density, preventing air circulation, become an excellent conductor for bacteria.
5. Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules. When taking baths irregularly, bacteria accumulate, which multiply and cause irritation.
6. Dysbacteriosis of the genital organs in women.

In addition to the obvious root causes listed, the progression of the acute inflammatory process can be combined with damage to the dermis due to the already progressing chronic pathologies of the functioning of the endocrine system and kidneys.

Ointments for diaper rash

Using specialized ointments is a very effective way to combat skin rashes.

• "Zinc ointment". This pharmacological agent is excellent for the treatment of diaper rash. It dries and softens the skin, thereby helping to reduce fluid discharge from wounds.
• "Bepanten." It is a very common remedy for rashes. This pharmacological drug accelerates wound healing. This product is available in the form of cream and ointment.
• "Nystatin" This is an antibiotic that comes in the form of an ointment. It is recommended by many dermatologists. It has an antifungal effect and delays the development of infectious fungi.
• "Salicylic ointment." This drug quickly relieves skin redness and inflammatory processes.
• "Salicylic-zinc paste." It was recognized by doctors as a very effective remedy. It helps dry wounds, eliminates redness, and helps exfoliate dead tissue.

Redness from diapers in newborn boys and girls: is it dangerous?

A baby's skin is significantly different from an adult's skin. It is much more delicate, and therefore can be easily injured under the influence of external irritants. In addition, in the first months of a child’s life, the stratum corneum of his epidermis has a low density, which is why the skin is quite loose. At this time, the baby’s skin is rich in lipids, one of the functions of which is to protect the skin from feces. Under the influence of lipids, fat-soluble elements that are harmful to the child that are part of urine and feces are broken down. However, it is precisely this protective reaction of the child’s body that often leads to the appearance of irritations on the skin.

Diaper redness in itself is not dangerous. If you change diapers and diapers on time, wash your baby and give him “air baths,” the irritation will quickly go away. If adults do not pay due attention to maintaining the child’s groin area, his buttocks and inner thighs in normal condition, the problem can take a more serious form. This is due to the fact that in the first months of life the baby’s body is especially vulnerable to various pathogenic microorganisms. As a result of the development of an advanced form of diaper dermatitis, ulcers and cracks appear on the skin, which can easily become infected. In case of infection and the onset of the inflammatory process, swelling and purulent elements may occur, accompanied by pain and an increase in local temperature.

Protecting the skin from irritation in children with weakened immune systems, as well as in premature babies, deserves special attention. The protective functions of their skin are insufficient. As a result, in the presence of severe redness from diapers, accompanied by diaper rash and the appearance of weeping erosions, there is a danger of the onset of a serious inflammatory process.

Traditional methods of treating diaper rash.

You can treat manifestations of dermatitis in elderly women using an iodine solution: 1 drop of iodine per 200 grams of water. The affected skin is washed with this solution, then wiped with a soft cloth to dry. After using this method, it is not advisable to immediately put on clothes - you need to wait at least 10-15 minutes.

When using these methods, it is necessary to take into account concomitant diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia, etc.) so as not to cause harm.

It is also necessary to do lotions on a regular basis. Eucalyptus is great for this. After preparing two tablespoons of eucalyptus leaves, place them in 200 ml. water and heat in a water bath for 7 minutes. Then wet a cotton napkin with this decoction and apply it to the damaged area for 15-20 minutes.

Baths for diaper rash.

For skin rashes, medicinal herbal baths are quite effective. This treatment method tones the body well and promotes relaxation, and also leads to improved blood circulation. Method of preparation: you will need 50 grams of oak bark and string , add 1 liter of water and boil for 10 minutes. Then you need to strain and cool the broth, add it to a bath with warm water.

Pharmaceutical chamomile is also suitable for such therapy. You will need 1 tablespoon of flowers, which needs to be filled with half a liter of hot water. Let it brew for 40 minutes and add to the bath.

Yarrow perfectly eliminates flaking and inflammation, and also helps reduce itching. Take 1 kilogram of herb, fill it with 3 liters of water and leave for 15-20 minutes. Afterwards, you can pour the resulting tincture into the bath.

Symptoms

Diaper rash on the butt in an adult can be characterized by the following symptoms:

• slight redness;
• erosion;
• sensations of dry dermis and increased temperature of the diseased area;
• effect of weeping dermis;
• severe peeling and itching of the epidermis, holes;
• suppuration and unpleasant odor;
• bleeding from wounds;
• cracks and worsening erosion;
• soreness of the affected surface.

Diaper rash, which occurs between the buttocks in adults, brings continuous discomfort, which will only intensify as a result of friction of underwear. If you do not seek help in a timely manner, complications may progress and the course of the pathological process may worsen.

It is necessary to focus on the fact that it is more common for men to pass between the buttocks. This is explained by the fact that men do not care about hygiene so carefully and do not like to go to doctors with a similar problem.