Patient's question:
It's been 15 days since I was born. There are a few red spots on my thigh that aren't clear.Doctor's answer:
Disease Analysis: Diaper rash is the most common skin problem in infants, characterized by inflammation of the buttocks. It manifests as redness, red spot-like rashes on the skin, and even ulcers or oozing. The child may cry frequently, appear restless, irritable, and have difficulty sleeping.Advice: Diaper rash is caused by the decomposition of ammonia from feces and urine in the diaper, which irritates and damages the skin. One of the causes of the condition is not changing the diaper promptly. Another reason is that the child's skin is delicate and prone to allergies from detergents and fabric softeners. When using diapers repeatedly, they should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water multiple times after washing and regularly boiled or steamed. In some rural areas with water shortages, parents may dry wet diapers by baking them before reuse. If the uric acid in the diaper is not washed away, it continues to irritate the child's skin, further increasing the likelihood of diaper rash.
There is also a type of rash caused by Candida albicans, which resembles diaper rash but is a fungal infection. It is often accompanied by thrush and can spread to other parts of the body. The treatment for this type of rash differs from that of diaper rash.
When dealing with a child who has diaper rash, parents should be instructed to:
1. Temporarily avoid using diapers when the rash is severe, allowing the child's buttocks to air out. If the child is lying down, place multiple layers of diapers under them, with a plastic sheet underneath to prevent soiling the bedding. Remember not to place the plastic sheet too close to the child's buttocks to ensure proper ventilation.
2. Use pure cotton diapers and change them frequently. Wash and sterilize the diapers before drying them in the sun before reuse.
3. Urinate frequently to prevent urine from wetting the skin.
4. Apply tannic acid ointment, diaper cream, or sterilized vegetable oil (cooled after heating) to the affected area under a doctor's guidance. Severe cases may require medical therapy. If the rash is caused by a fungal infection, an antifungal ointment like nystatin can be used.
Choosing the right diaper for an infant is an important consideration. Beyond the homemade cotton diapers mentioned earlier, disposable diapers (also known as pull-ups) are widely available in the market, with numerous brands and high prices. As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for," and diapers of different prices vary in quality. The occurrence of diaper rash is also related to the type of diaper and how often it is changed. Since properly sized disposable diapers are less likely to cause side leaks, some parents may neglect to change them promptly, which can also lead to diaper rash.
In the U.S., the use of disposable diapers has increased from 57% in the 1980s to 97% today, often accompanied by potty training rather than simply leaving the child in diapers. Advocates of cloth diapers believe that allowing the child to feel wet and experience the cool sensation when changing diapers is beneficial, as it increases skin sensitivity and enhances sensory development. We recommend alternating between disposable and cloth diapers—using disposable diapers for outings and nighttime, and cloth diapers at home—to save costs while leveraging the advantages of each.
Good disposable diapers:
① Have enhanced moisture absorption, which depends on the structure of the inner absorbent layer (absorbent gel material, AGM);
② Reduce leakage, which minimizes excessive skin hydration, maintains a normal pH level, and reduces the occurrence of diaper rash.