What causes diaper rash?
Most diaper rashes are caused by skin irritation. Irritation can be caused by diapers that rub against the skin, fit too tightly or are left on for too long. Your baby’s skin can also be irritated by the soap used to wash cloth diapers, or by some brands of disposable diapers or baby wipes. Plastic pants that fit over diapers raise the temperature and moisture in the diaper area. Heat, moisture and irritated skin make it easier for diaper rash to start and for germs to grow.
Skin wetness is the common denominator underlying the various causes of diaper rash. Urinary wetness increases skin friction, raises the skin pH, makes the skin less cohesive, and makes it more permeable. These effects combine to intensify the action of stool enzymes or other irritants that then inflame the skin. In all the above diaper rashes, the outermost layer of skin has been damaged. With this protective layer compromised, it is easy for microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria to invade the inflamed skin. This makes the rash worse and less responsive to usual treatments. Yeast is by far the most common type of organism found in a diaper rash. The organism is quite prevalent and thrives in warm, moist skin. Yeast involvement should be suspected in any diaper rash that has not improved dramatically with 72 hours of appropriate therapy. Current or recent antibiotic use makes a yeast infection even more likely, since this reduces the amount of the skin’s ‘good’ bacteria that fight i
Diaper rash may involve a number of infectious organisms but, for the most part, it is just an irritation due to contact with moisture, continuous friction and the effect of enzymes and chemicals from urine or feces on the skin. Less commonly, an allergy to the diaper fabric, harsh soaps, creams or baby wipes may cause or aggravate diaper rash.
The most common causes of diaper rash are: • Baby’s prolonged contact with soiled diapers, which causes bacteria to produce ammonia • Changes in the baby’s diet • As a consequence of the baby’s changeover to eating solid foods • As a consequence of the baby taking antibiotics • Harsh clothing detergents used on baby’s laundry • Harsh soaps and lotions used on the baby’s skin
There are many causes of a diaper rash. Most diaper rashes are due to prolonged contact with wetness, bacteria from bowel movements, and chemicals in the urine. Diaper rash may also develop if an infant is on antibiotics and develops a yeast infection of the skin. Infants with a history of skin disorders, such as eczema, or cradle cap, may be more likely to develop a diaper rash. Diaper rash does not usually present a health risk.
