Review Diaper Dermatitis (Napkin Dermatitis, Nappy Rash) Server Serdaroğlu, MD, Tuğba Kevser Üstünbaş, MD Address: Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty Dermatology Department, Istanbul Turkey E-mail: [email protected] * Corresponding Author: Server Serdaroğlu, MD, Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty Dermatology Department, Istanbul Turkey Published: J Turk Acad Dermatol 2010; 4 (4): 04401r. This article is available from: http://www.jtad.org/2010/4/jtad04401r.pdf Key Words: Diaper dermatitis, Napkin dermatitis Abstract Background: The term diaper dermatitis includes all eruptions that occur in the area covered by the diaper. These conditions are caused directly by the wearing of diapers (irritant contact dermatitis), those that are aggrevated by diapers (psoriasis), and those that occur whether or not diapers worn (eg., acrodermatitis enteropathica). Diaper dermatitis is seen mostly between 9- to 12 months. This condition is more common in children but also can be seen in adults using diapers. Many factors play a role on diaper dermatitis etiology. Treatment modality changes according to the severity and etiology of diaper dermatitis. Parents should be informed that refraining from use of diapers improves diaper dermatitis. If diaper dermatitis is persistent, other dermatoses that can localize in genital area should be sought. Introduction most common skin disorder of infancy in the The term diaper dermatitis includes all erup- United States, accounts for more than 1 mil- tions that occur in the area covered by the lion clinic visits per year [3]. By using the re- diaper. These conditions are caused directly cently developed disposable super-absorbent by the wearing of diapers (irritant contact diapers these proportions reduced signifi- dermatitis), those that are aggrevated by dia- cantly. pers (psoriasis), and those that occur whether Diaper dermatitis is seen mostly between 9- or not diapers worn (eg., acrodermatitis ente- to 12 months. This condition is more com- ropathica). In many societies where diapers mon in children but also can be seen in are not worn, infants escape a condition that adults using diapers. There is no difference is commonly seen in pediatric practice in between ethnic groups and gender [4]. Clini- more industrialized [1]. cally, the type of irritant contact dermatitis The first true description of diaper dermatitis mostly seen in genital region, buttocks, upper was made by Jacquet in 1905 [2]. In 1915, part of femoral region and lower abdominal Zahorsky described the frequency of diaper area, that becomes because of the reaction eruptions associated with an “ammoniacal” between accumulated bacterial enzymes in smelling diaper. In Great Britain in the 1970s, feces and ammoniac that accumulated in dia- diaper dermatitis accounted for %20 of all skin per. These appereance also could be seen in consultations in the 0- to 5- year age group, olders that have incontinence [5]. and in Japan the prevelance varied between 6 and 50% depending on definitions and inclu- Diseases that are most commonly seen in sion criteria. Diaper dermatitis, considered the diaper area are listed in Table 1. Page 1 of 4 (page number not for citation purposes) J Turk Acad Dermatol 2010; 4 (4): 04401r. http://www.jtad.org/2010/4/jtad04401r.pdf Table 1. Causes of Diaper Dermatitis 6) Antibiotics: The use of broad-spectrum an- 1. Chafing, irritant (ammoniacal) dermatitis tibiotics in infants for conditions such as oti- 2. Candidiasis tis media and respiratory tract infections has 3. Psoriasiform dermatitis with id 4. Nutritional abnormalities been shown to lead to an increased incidence 5. Granuloma gluteale infantum of irritant napkin dermatitis. This appears to 6. Letterer-Siwe disease parallel increased recovery of C.albicans from 7. Bullous impetigo the rectum and skin in such infants [7]. 8. Erosive perianal eruption 9. Seborrheic dermatitis 7) Diarrhoea: The production of frequent li- 10. Zinc deficiency quid faeces is associated with shortened tran- 11. Cystic fibrosis 12. Kawasaki’s disease sit times, and such faeces are therefore likely to contain greater amounts of residual diges- tive enzymes [7]. Etiology 8) Developmental abnormalities of the urinary Many factors play a role on diaper dermatitis tract: Those anomalies that result in cons- etiology. tant passage of urine will predispose to uri- 1) Wetness and Friction: The most important nary tract infections [7]. factor is wetness of the diaper area. Due to wetness, barrier function of the skin is des- troyed and penetration of irritants becomes Clinical Features easier [4]. Irritant contact dermatitis begins as acute 2) Urine and feces: Due to the role of fecal erythema on the convex skin surfaces of the enzymes (proteases, lipases) which degrade pubic area and buttocks with sparing of the urea to ammonia, pH increases and skin irri- skin folds, reflecting the areas of the body in tation occurs [1,6]. most contact with the diaper. It’s seen mostly between 3-12 weeks. It may be difficult to cli- 3) Microorganisms: Candida albicans may be nically differentiate allergic contact dermatitis isolated in up to 80% of infants with perineal from irritant contact dermatitis. S aureus in- skin irritation. Infection occurs generally 48- fection presents as bullous impetigo, charac- 72 hours after irritation [4]. Conditions that are terized by scattered vesicles, bullae and known to increase the likelihood of secondary denuded areas of skin, while group A strep- yeast infection include antibiotic administra- tococcus presents as an erythematous patch tion, immunodeficiencies, and diabetes melli- perianally. The enteric bacteria can cause tus. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or dysuria, vaginal itching, and vulvar inflam- group A streptococci can cause eruptions in mation. Coxsackie virus causes erythema- the diaper area. S. aureus colonization is more tous papules on the buttocks, palms and likely in children with atopic dermatitis. Other soles and ulcers in the posterior pharynx. bacteria that can lead to inflammation of the Crops of painful vesicles in the vulva and pe- vagina and surrounding tissues (vulvovaginitis) rianal area characterize herpes. Pruritus is a include Shigella, Escherichia coli, and Yersinia typical symptom of pinworms and scabies. enterocolitica [1]. Additional infectious agents that can lead to irritation,inflammation or The appearance of scabies infestation can be eruptions in the diaper area include viruses variable and should be considered when a (coxsackie, herpes simplex, human immuno- child has a diffuse papular eruption that can deficiency viruses), parasites (pinworms, sca- also affect the head and neck in infants. The bies), and other fungi (tinea) [1]. characteristic curvilinear lesions of scabies may not be easily identifiable [3]. 4) Nutritional factors: Diaper dermatitis can be the first sign of diet lacking in biotin and Jacquet erozive dermatitis; this is the most zinc [4]. severe form of diaper dermatitis and can occur at any age [8]. This condition can occur 5) Chemical irritants: Soaps, detergents and due to diarrhoea [4]. It is characterised by antiseptics can trigger or increase primary ir- erozive erythematous nodules, well-demarca- ritant contact dermatitis. By using disposable ted, punched out ulcers or erosions with ele- diapers this possibility is reduced [4]. vated borders [4, 8]. It is seen less commonly Page 2 of 4 (page number not for citation purposes) J Turk Acad Dermatol 2010; 4 (4): 04401r. http://www.jtad.org/2010/4/jtad04401r.pdf since the advent of superabsorbent diapers Table 2. Differantial Diagnosis of Diaper Dermatitis [8]. • Seborrhea • Psoriasis vulgaris Granuloma gluteale infantum is a granulo- • Moniliasis matous reaction that occurs due to irritation, • Intertrigo maceration and possible superinfection. This • Allergic contact dermatitis granulomatous reaction is thought to be agg- • Atopic dermatit ravated by the use of potent topical corticos- • Acrodermatitis enteropatica teroids. This uncommon condition is • Pyoderma characterized by reddish purplish papulono- • Perianal dermatitis • Biotin deficiency dular lesions. On histological examination • Histiyosis X mixed infiltration (neutrophils, plasma cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils) is seen [4]. Differential Diagnosis Miliaria rubra tends to occur at sites where For the list of differential diagnosis of diaper plastic components of diaper cause occlusion dermatitis see Table 2. of eccrine ducts of skin [8]. In psoriasis vulgaris there is well-demarked Pseudoverrucous papules and nodules occur erythematous plaques, because of wetness in the diaper and perianal areas in patients white scarring might not be seen. of any age who have a predisposition to pro- If eruptions affect the inguinal area or satel- longed wetness. Children who wear diapers lite pustules occur and continue longer than due to chronic urinary incontinence are 72 hours candidiasis should be suspected [4]. prone to this type of dermatitis [8,9]. Granu- loma gluteale infantum is important in the When bacterial infection is superimposed, su- differential diagnosis [9]. perficial erosions, yellow crusts and impetigi- nization is seen [4]. Histopathology Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by yel- Histopathological findings change according low desquamation on an erythematous to the clinical features and may include background. Hair, face and intertriginous acute, subacute or chronic spongitic derma- areas may be affected. titis, mild or moderate inflammatory