Causes of diaper rash
As follows from the very definition of “diaper rash,” the cause of this disease lies in skin irritation from various infections. The folds of the skin, where it is always warm and humid, create ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria. The bacteria themselves enter the skin along with sweat and oily skin secretions. Urine, discharge from fistulas and hemorrhoidal cones, when they come into contact with healthy skin, begin to actively multiply, and we observe a picture of redness, peeling, and erosion of the skin surface. In hot weather, diaper rash occurs more often than usual. Obese people with a large number of fat folds are especially susceptible to this disease. In infants, diaper rash occurs due to lack of proper care and hygiene. It happens that diaper rash occurs due to an allergic reaction to some food or cosmetic product. To accurately identify the cause of allergic diaper rash, an examination by specialists will be required.
About the disease
Diaper rash is irritation of the baby's delicate skin due to mechanical friction or secretions (urine, feces).
The skin often suffers in natural folds (perineum and under the arms). Inflammation primarily occurs without infection, especially with a change in diet, which changes the properties of feces. However, due to the nature of children's skin, a bacterial or fungal infection can quickly develop, requiring immediate treatment. Diaper rash most often occurs in girls and boys who are bottle-fed, who are overweight, who have digestive disorders, who are prone to allergies, who have lactase deficiency, or abnormal kidney development. Excessive wrapping, high room temperature, untimely bathing, prolonged stay in wet diapers or a diaper of the wrong size contribute to the development of diaper rash.
Symptoms
They are accompanied by redness of the skin, severe itching, and pain. Most often they are found in the groin, on the buttocks, in the lower abdomen, in the armpits, in any folds of our skin.
There are three degrees of the disease:
Lung
It is characterized by slight redness, while the skin is not damaged, there is only a slight swelling.
Average
Here, along with severe redness, obvious mechanical damage is visible on the skin.
Heavy
Greater degree of skin damage, bright red color, formation of ulcers. The primary manifestation of diaper rash always begins with redness of areas of the skin - erythema, which gradually spreads to healthy areas. In severe forms, diaper rash is accompanied by infections. Streptococci and fungi are the most common of them.
Causes of irritation in the bikini area
- External factors
Irritation in the bikini area is often caused by mechanical damage to the skin. After shaving the intimate area, redness, pimples, and itching often appear - the skin becomes especially inflamed in the summer, when sweating increases. When depilating with a razor, the top layer of skin is damaged, which can lead to dryness and flaking, and growing short hairs cause itching and, accordingly, redness and scratches on the skin.
Expert opinion
Depilation using wax, sugar paste and tweezers damages the top layer of skin to a lesser extent, but more often provokes ingrown hairs. As a result, painful pimples form in the bikini area, the opening of which is fraught with the penetration of pathogenic agents into the deeper layers of the skin (especially in the hot season).
Obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest category Oksana Anatolyevna Gartleb
Violation of the temperature regime that is comfortable for the skin - too high or, conversely, low temperature - can also cause discomfort in the vagina. Of course, external contamination of delicate areas may not be the last cause of irritation.
In addition, discomfort may occur from inappropriate intimate cosmetics. For example, hypoallergenic baby soap, which many women still use as an intimate care product, greatly dries out the delicate skin of the vagina, since the production of sebum by baby skin and the delicate skin of the intimate area occurs in different volumes. It is important to use special products for intimate hygiene - for example, GINOCOMFORT Soothing washing gel consists of natural ingredients that not only delicately cleanse the vaginal mucosa and skin of the labia, but also regulate the acid-base balance that is comfortable for this area.
- Microflora disturbance
One of the most common causes of severe irritation in the intimate area is diseases associated with disruption of the natural bacterial and acid-base balance: thrush (candidiasis), bacterial vaginosis (dysbacteriosis).
These diseases can be caused by a general decrease in immunity, poor diet, sleep, hygiene, frequent stress, taking antibiotics, promiscuity, etc.
Characteristic symptoms include severe irritation in the intimate area after sex, thick atypical discharge with a pronounced unpleasant odor, severe itching and burning. Any of these diseases is treated with special regimens using antibacterial drugs, pro and prebiotics. Self-medication can cause irreversible complications or make the process critical, so it is better to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist to clarify the diagnosis and develop treatment tactics.
- Allergic reactions
Often, intimate itching can occur with contact dermatitis - a manifestation of allergies in a delicate area. One of the most common reasons is scented hygiene products. Fragrance in pads, tampons, and toilet paper is a strong allergen and can cause itching. If you experience irritation in your intimate area, especially during menstruation, try changing your pads - this may solve your problem. In some cases, allergies can be caused by contraception (latex condoms) and lubricants. Most condoms are made from latex.
- Hormonal background
Irritation in the intimate area in women often occurs before hormonal changes: menstruation, pregnancy. Many women are familiar with the sensation of dryness, burning, and severe itching. Irritation in the perineum can be an external sign of hormonal disorders such as hypo- or hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, ovaries, and adrenal glands. To establish an accurate diagnosis, a consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist and tests for hormone levels are necessary.
Expert opinion
Changes in hormonal levels and the resulting irritation in the intimate area can be triggered by taking oral contraceptives. This situation is especially common if a woman takes OCs, chosen independently or on the advice of a friend, without consulting a gynecologist.
Obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest category Oksana Anatolyevna Gartleb
- Poor intimate hygiene
It is obvious that irregular showering, especially during menstruation, hot weather or after visiting the gym, leads to an increased proliferation of harmful bacteria and fungi, causing rashes and itching in the intimate area in women. Wearing synthetic underwear also has a negative effect - panties made of artificial fabrics do not allow air to pass through, creating a greenhouse effect - an ideal environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microbes. It is important to know that thongs, thongs and similar models are a “bridge” for bacteria from the anus, so if discomfort occurs, it is better to refrain from wearing them.
- Diseases of internal organs
Endocrinologists warn: severe itching and dryness in the genital area is one of the indirect signs of diabetes. Sometimes irritation in the intimate area can indicate anemia, leukemia, immunodeficiency conditions, inflammation in the urinary system, gastrointestinal tract, and cancer. Redness, spots and rashes on the external genitalia occur with eczema (eczematis) and psoriasis (psoriasis).
Of course, you can’t rely only on vaginal itching to make an accurate diagnosis, but this unpleasant symptom can indicate serious health problems, so it’s better not to delay visiting a specialist.
- Sexual infections
Itching, burning and unpleasant discharge after sexual intercourse (especially unprotected with a new man) are accompanying sexually transmitted diseases. They are especially characteristic of gonorrhea (Gonorrhoea), chlamydia and trichomoniasis (trichomoniasis). In addition to discomfort in the intimate area, sharp pain during urination, pain during sexual intercourse and foul-smelling discharge may be added - if these signs appear, you should urgently get tested and visit an obstetrician-gynecologist. Most sexually transmitted infections in the early stages can be quickly and successfully treated, so timely consultation with a doctor can save you from unpleasant consequences and complications.
- Stress
The female genital organs are very susceptible to psychological conditions: emotional instability, stress and frequent anxiety can cause itching in intimate places.
It is important to monitor your stress levels whenever possible and use sedative therapy if necessary to improve your quality of life.
The causes of irritation in intimate areas are varied and may depend on completely different factors. If you feel that self-treatment does not lead to an improvement in the situation, do not hesitate to visit an obstetrician-gynecologist, this way you will quickly determine the cause of the discomfort and get rid of it.
The causes of irritation in intimate areas are varied and may depend on completely different factors. If you feel that home treatment does not lead to an improvement in the situation, do not hesitate to visit a gynecologist, this way you will quickly determine the cause of the discomfort and get rid of it.
Treatment
In the initial stage of the disease, it is enough to remove the causes of its appearance. It is necessary to frequently and thoroughly wash all folds of the skin with warm water, a pink solution of potassium permanganate, and special antiseptic agents. After washing, be sure to thoroughly blot with a cotton cloth until completely dry, powder with talcum powder or use baby cream, zinc ointment, or any drying creams and ointments. It is necessary to ensure free access of air to the sore areas; if necessary, gauze pads can be attached to them. For moderate severity of diaper rash, lotions and compresses are effective. Therapeutic baths based on medicinal herbs are very helpful in the fight against diaper rash. In addition to the purely therapeutic effect, they provide an opportunity to rest and relax, and have a beneficial effect on the human body as a whole.
How to get rid of skin irritation in the intimate area?
Of course, only an obstetrician-gynecologist can determine the exact treatment regimen depending on the cause of discomfort. We will tell you about the main methods of relieving itching and burning in intimate areas. In cases associated with diseases of the reproductive organs and other internal diseases, when discomfort in the vagina is a concomitant symptom, complex drug therapy is used to eliminate the underlying cause. It is prescribed individually depending on the underlying disease. In case of endocrine disorders, treatment is carried out using systemic and local hormonal drugs.
Burning and itching due to disturbances in the acid-base balance and microflora are removed with antibacterial or antiseptic drugs, pro and prebiotics, and lactic acid. Treatment often lasts only a few days.
If the discomfort is mild and does not require serious treatment, daily washing with infusions of calendula, arnica, chamomile and other medicinal plants with a calming and disinfecting effect can help.
In the process of eliminating unpleasant sensations in the vagina, it would not be superfluous to enhance the effect of drug treatment from the outside with the help of specialized intimate cosmetics. Soothing washing gel GINOCOMFORT normalizes microflora, gently cleanses the skin and gives a feeling of freshness throughout the day.
How to properly shave the intimate area for women? Source – Ksyu Myakonkaya – Beauty Ksu
Prevention of diaper rash in children
The child's bed linen and clothing should only be made from natural cotton fabrics, clean and ironed with a hot iron for disinfection. The baby must not be wet; for this, diapers should be changed as soon as they become wet. If diapers are used, it is important to pay attention to their quality and size - no hard or rubbing parts are allowed. After bathing, be sure to dry the child’s body well with a soft cotton towel and blot all skin folds. It is better to powder problem areas of the skin with special baby powders or lubricate them with boiled vegetable oil. Air baths are very important for a child, preferably several times a day. In order to eliminate the allergic nature of diaper rash in a baby, you need to use only special products for baby clothes when washing; no ordinary powders are strictly allowed for these purposes.
Diaper rash usually occurs as a result of:
- excessive sweating. Due to the fact that some mothers are afraid of colds and hypothermia, they wrap their babies like cabbage. As a result, the child’s skin does not breathe at all, and sweat appears in its folds, which leads to inflammation.
- untimely hygiene. Newborns defecate very often. Uric acid itself causes irritation, and when combined with feces it forms ammonia, which can damage the skin many times more.
- mechanical impact. This could be a diaper that is not put on correctly, clothes made of synthetic fabrics or with tight seams, or uncomfortable underwear.
- high humidity. Most often, this situation occurs when the baby is not wiped dry after bathing. Water remains in the folds of the skin and causes irritation. Diaper rash on the neck of a baby often appears for this very reason.
- allergies. Usually it comes in 2 types: food. If the baby is breastfed, then allergies can be caused by changes in the mother's diet. In addition, skin irritation is often provoked by foods that the baby first tries when complementary feeding begins.
- contact This may be a reaction to the chemical composition of washing powder, hygiene products or diapers.
Diaper rash in the groin in men with fungal infections
When fungus infects the groin folds in men, a disease occurs called candidiasis intertrigo.
Synonyms:
- intertriginous candidiasis;
- candidal impetigo.
Pain, burning, and severe itching appear.
Pathology is more often detected in patients with obesity or reduced immunity.
Diabetes mellitus is also one of the significant risk factors.
The disease begins in its classic version with the appearance of a white strip of macerated (softened by moisture) epithelium.
Then cracks and erosions form.
Foci with blisters and ulcers may appear.
The affected areas are characterized by:
- getting wet;
- clear edges;
- polygonal shape;
- undermined rim of exfoliated epidermis.
Daughter foci of candidal inflammation may appear nearby.
Diaper rash in the groin in men: treatment at home
Some patients, despite quite serious inflammatory processes in the groin, do not go to the doctor.
They are trying to treat diaper rash at home.
For this purpose, sitz baths with herbs and lotions with antiseptics are used.
Sometimes they even go to the pharmacy and buy antibiotics and antifungals.
It’s worse when folk remedies are used.
They rarely help, but they can do harm with a fairly high probability.
If diaper rash goes away with traditional treatment, this indicates that the body has coped with the disease on its own.
If the pathology is severe, then no “grandmother’s” methods will help.
If your symptoms are severe, you should definitely consult a doctor because:
- you do not know 100% that the symptoms that arise in the groin are diaper rash;
- At home, you will not be able to take tests and conduct laboratory tests to make an accurate diagnosis;
- treatment “at random” is fraught with complications, advanced chronic inflammation;
- uncontrolled use of antibiotics can be harmful in itself, and their improper use leads to antibiotic resistance in pathogenic microflora.
Self-medication, even if it was safe, entails late referral of patients.
Therefore, the risk of more severe diaper rash in the groin increases.
His treatment is difficult.
Treatment takes longer and is more expensive.
Because for infectious processes, the timely initiation of therapy is of great importance.
The sooner we start it, the faster you will recover, and the lower the risk of complications or residual effects.
Complications, prognosis and diagnosis of the disease
The prognosis for intertrigo is generally favorable. Ulcerations, cellulitis and sepsis occur mainly in patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity and HIV-infected people.
Diagnosis of the disease is based on data. obtained during examination of the patient and medical history. If necessary, methods of microscopy and culture of biological material are used to identify pathogens.
To prescribe adequate treatment, intertrigo should be distinguished from diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
