In diaper dermatitis (synonyms: Dermatitis ammoniacalis; Dermatitis anogenitalis; Erythema guteale; Gluteal erythema; Jacquet dermatitis; Psoriasiform diaper dermatitis; Psoriasiform diaper dermatitis; Diaper dermatosis; Diaper erythema; ICD-10 L22: Diaper dermatitis) is a skin lesion (skin irritation, soreness) in infants in the diaper area.
Increasingly, the problem of diaper dermatitis also occurs in adults who wear diapers, for example, because of incontinence.
Frequency peak: The disease occurs predominantly between the 9th and 12th month of life of infants.
The prevalence (disease incidence) is about 66 % of all diapered infants (in Germany). In England, approximately 25% of newborns are affected during the first four weeks of life.
Course and prognosis: The course of the disease is usually acute, rarely chronic. The affected skin areas are severely erythematous (reddened) and painful when wetting and defecating into the diaper. Due to the dermatitis (skin irritation) and because of the warm and humid climate in the diaper, colonization with bacteria and especially mycoses (fungi) is favored. Candidosis genito-glutealis infantum (diaper thrush, erythema mycoticum infantile) can occur. The course of diaper dermatitis is favorable. The causative factors must be eliminated and any additional infection must be specifically treated. Then the disease heals within a few days.Diaper dermatitis can be recurrent (recurring), so care must be taken to provide adequate prophylaxis.
