Irritant diaper dermatitis
Irritant diaper dermatitis, also known as "diaper dermatitis" and "napkin dermatitis":80 and commonly known as
diaper rash or
nappy rash, is a generic term applied to skin rashes in the diaper area that are caused by various skin disorders and/or irritants.
Generic rash or
irritant diaper dermatitis is characterized by joined patches of erythema and scaling mainly seen on the convex surfaces, with the skin folds spared. Diaper dermatitis with secondary bacterial or fungal involvement tends to spread to concave surfaces, as well as convex surfaces, and often exhibits a central red, beefy erythema with satellite pustules around the border. It is usually considered a form of irritant contact dermatitis. Despite the word "diaper" in the name, the dermatitis is not due to the diaper itself, but to the materials trapped by the diaper. Allergic contact dermatitis has also been suggested, but there is little evidence for this etiology. The term diaper candidiasis is used when a fungal origin is identified. The distinction is critical, because the treatment is completely different.