2. Diaper dermatitis is a chemical irritant
dermatitis secondary to urine and feces.
3. Increased wetness of the diaper area.
Infrequent change of diaper.
Common after change of baby’s diet from
breast milk to solid.
4. Increased wetness by urine and faeces makes
the skin more susceptible to damage by
physical, chemical and enzymatic
mechanisms.
Low pH of urine causes irritation of skin.
Enzymes like lipases and proteases in faeces
get reactivated at low pH and causes
irritation.
Furthermore they cause breach in stratum
corneum and predisposes to secondary
infections.
5. Candida albicans infections is seen in most of
the cases after 48-72 hours of chemical
dermatitis.
Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli,
Proteus mirabilis etc., can also cause
secondary infections.
6. Commonly seen in the age group of 9-15
months, but can be seen as early as 2 months
of age.
Buttocks, genitalia and upper thighs are
involved which are in contact with wet diaper.
The depths of skin folds are spared.
Erythema in mild cases and vesicles, small
erosions, papules, large ulcers in moderate to
severe cases.
