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Baby dermatitis, popularly known as diaper rash, occurs when the baby's skin is in contact with irritating substances for a long time, such as urine, saliva or even some types of creams, resulting in an inflammation that leaves the red, scaly, itchy, and painful skin.
Although dermatitis is not a serious condition and is curable when treated properly, it should be avoided, as skin irritation can cause the appearance of wounds that can infect, especially in places such as the butt, for example.
Thus, it is important to keep the baby's skin always clean and dry, following some simple guidelines such as changing diapers when they are dirty, cleaning excess drool from the face or avoiding the use of creams that are not suitable for baby skin, for example. See other important precautions to avoid the appearance of diaper dermatitis.
Main symptoms
The characteristic signs and symptoms of dermatitis are:
- Red patches on the skin that flake off;
- Small red bumps or blisters on the skin that itch;
- More frequent crying and irritation.
Typically, skin changes appear in areas with skin folds or that are in frequent contact with clothing, such as the neck, intimate area or wrists.
When there is suspicion of dermatitis, it is important to consult a pediatrician, especially when the cause is not known.
How the treatment is done
In most cases, contact dermatitis disappears naturally after about 2 to 4 weeks. However, to speed recovery, relieve baby's discomfort, and prevent sores from developing, it's important to keep the area clean and dry at all times, as moisture can make irritation worse. In addition, applying a baby moisturizer or applying a zinc ointment to the affected area after bathing helps protect the skin, facilitating healing.
What to do to prevent dermatitis
The best way to ensure that contact dermatitis does not develop is to keep your baby's skin clean and dry, and to avoid possible sources of skin irritation. Some precautions are:
- Wipe off excess drool and change wet clothes;
- Changing diapers soiled with urine or feces;
- Cut the clothing tags;
- Give preference to cotton clothes and avoid synthetic materials;
- Exchange metal or plastic accessories for rubber;
- Spending creams with zinc in the intimate area, to avoid moisture;
- Avoid using creams and other products that are not suitable for the baby's skin.
If your baby is already known to be allergic to some type of substance, it is important to keep them away from that substance, so it may be important to read the clothing and toy label to ensure that this type of material is not in your composition.
These cares can also be performed even if the baby has dermatitis, as they facilitate the healing of the skin, accelerating recovery.
