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Allergy to diapers
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Allergic dermatitis can occur at a very young age, for example, an allergy to diapers, or diaper dermatitis. This type of allergy is more often diagnosed in infants who are on artificial feeding.
In general, the emergence of allergic reactions at such a young age can be due to innate predisposition, mass exposure to the body of various allergens, to indicate a defect in the immune system or to be caused by general unsatisfactory care.
[Why there is an allergy to diapers?
During the mass use of diapers, which replaced classical nappies and gauze diapers, the term "diaper dermatitis" changed. However, the essence of the phenomenon remained. One of the factors in the development of diaper dandruff was and is a kind of greenhouse effect. Properly diaper dermatitis should be distinguished from the general manifestation of allergy as a systemic reaction of the organism to other allergens (food, medicinal, etc.). The difference is that with food allergies, all mucous membranes will be mildly inflamed in the babies, which will be indicated by reddening around the anal and urethra, the rash on the skin can be in this case a manifestation of food allergy, or a secondary manifestation of skin allergization due to falling on her urine with traces of allergens. Actually, the allergy to diapers does not give a pronounced scarlet ring around the mucous membranes, but has in its initial manifestation a pink (red) rash with no signs of purulent inflammation and wetness. One of the reasons for the occurrence of allergy to diapers can be a reaction to the chemicals that are used in the manufacture of this type of product.
How is the allergy to diapers manifested?
In the case of a clear localization of the manifestation of diarrhea and the complete elimination of the possibility of food allergies and the effects of other types of allergens, namely allergies to traces of detergent in children's things, allergies to disinfectants, allergies to toy composition, dust / pollen / wool allergy, it is necessary to confirm the presence of diaper dermatitis.
By itself, an allergy to diapers occurs without certain previous symptoms, is contact-specific and occurs as the allergen is removed. To clarify the diagnosis and exclude infectious diseases, which may initially have a similarity in symptoms, you should consult a specialist.
In case of untimely detection of dermatitis or negligence in the care of a child for the manifestation of allergic dermatitis, secondary infection of the damaged skin in the form of skin filling with mycoses (fungal infection) and cocci (pyogenic flora) is attached to the manifestation of allergic dermatitis. Secondary infection is often the main reason for going to the doctor, since in the infancy, the immature immune system struggles to cope with external infections on its own, the wetting areas of the skin are very troublesome and difficult to treat.
Treatment of allergy to diapers
To alleviate the symptoms of dermatitis in children it is recommended to choose diapers without aromatic and disinfectant impregnations, to put on a diaper for a short time (going to the doctor, walk), to leave the child as long as possible without a diaper or gauze diaper, to use powder on the basis of natural minerals without additional aromatic, herbal and disinfecting compositions, additionally do not provoke children's immunity with allergenic food products. It is extremely rare to diagnose such an allergy to diapers as a contact allergic reaction to cellulose.