Diaper Lingerie

Definition

Diaper sores or napkin dermatitis is a skin disease which can occur in babies or adult patients in the area of the skin which is actually covered by diapers. The disease is caused by fungi and is therefore considered a fungal disease (candidiasis).

Cause

A diaper bogue occurs in the area of the bottom, which is normally covered by the diaper. If parents change their child’s diaper too seldom, an increased urine accumulation in the diaper occurs. The urine contains ammonia, among other things.

This can damage the baby’s sensitive skin and the skin becomes sore in the area under the diaper, showing small tears and openings. Through these tiny cracks, various bacteria and viruses can now penetrate further down into the skin layers. In the diaper sock it now happens that yeast fungus, more precisely Candida albicans fungi, get through the small cracks into deeper layers of the skin and now cause an infection.

The slightly moist and warm skin in the bottom area under the diaper is an ideal breeding ground for the fungi. They thrive best in warm, moist areas of the skin. Since the genital area is also warm and moist, and thus provides optimal conditions, infections can also occur in this area.

But it is not only a lack of hygiene that makes for a diaper smell. Babies with particularly sensitive skin are also quickly affected by the fungal disease, especially when they are still being changed. It is important to know, however, that the disease does not only affect babies but can also, even if only rarely, affect adults or children who have not worn diapers for a long time.

In most cases, however, the reason is that patients wear a diaper due to incontinence. Patients who suffer from diaper sores without wearing a diaper are extremely rare. Another important reason for the development of diaper sores is the fact that babies do not yet have a fully developed immune system.

Normally, the yeast fungus Candida albicans can be detected in almost all patients in the area of the reproductive organs and often also on the skin. This is called an opportunistic colonization because it is not associated with symptoms for the patient, as the immune system fights off the infection, but symptoms can still occur as soon as the immune system is weakened. In older patients, on the other hand, the immune system becomes weaker and weaker and works more and more incorrectly, which is one reason why diaper sores also occur in older patients who have to wear a diaper due to incontinence. It is often difficult to say where the fungus comes from. Either the parents already have the fungus on their hands or it is on the changing mat or the baby has some fungus in the intestinal tract and excretes it, which causes the fungus to come into the area of the bottom and thus into the diaper.