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Diaper allergy
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
Allergic dermatitis can occur at a very young age, for example, diaper allergy, or diaper dermatitis. This type of allergy is more often diagnosed in infants who are bottle-fed.
In general, the occurrence of allergic reactions at such a young age may be due to a congenital predisposition, massive exposure of the body to various allergens, indicate a defect in the immune system, or be due to general poor care.
[ Why does diaper allergy occur?
During the mass use of diapers, which replaced classic nappies and gauze diapers, the term changed - "diaper dermatitis". However, the essence of the phenomenon remained. One of the factors in the development of diaper-diaper dermatitis was and is a kind of greenhouse effect. Actually, diaper dermatitis should be distinguished from the general manifestation of allergy as a systemic reaction of the body to other allergens (food, drugs, etc.). The difference is that with food allergies in infants, all mucous membranes will necessarily be moderately inflamed, which will be evidenced by redness around the anus and urethra, a rash on the skin can in this case be a manifestation of a food allergy, or a secondary manifestation of skin allergization due to urine with traces of allergens getting on it. Actually, an allergy to diapers does not give a pronounced scarlet ring around the mucous membranes, but has in its initial manifestation a pink (red) rash without signs of purulent inflammation and oozing. One of the reasons for the occurrence of an allergy to diapers may be a reaction to chemicals that are used in the manufacture of this type of product.
How does diaper allergy manifest itself?
In case of clear localization of the manifestation of diaper dermatitis and complete exclusion of the possibility of food allergies and exposure to other types of allergens, namely: allergies to traces of washing powder in children's clothes, allergies to disinfectants, allergies to the composition of toys, allergies to dust / pollen / wool, etc., the presence of diaper dermatitis should be confirmed.
The allergy to diapers itself occurs without any specific preceding symptoms, is of a contact nature and passes as the allergen is removed. To clarify the diagnosis and exclude infectious diseases that may have similar symptoms at the beginning of their development, you should consult a specialist.
In case of untimely detection of dermatitis or negligence in caring for the child, secondary infection of the damaged skin in the form of colonization of the skin with mycoses (fungal infection) and cocci (pyogenic flora) joins the manifestation of allergic dermatitis. Secondary infection is often the main reason for visiting a doctor, since in infancy the immature immune system has difficulty independently coping with external infections, wet areas of the skin cause great concern and are difficult to treat.
Treatment for Diaper Allergy
To alleviate the symptoms of dermatitis in children, it is recommended to select diapers without aromatic and disinfectant impregnations, put on a diaper for a short period of time (a visit to the doctor, a walk), leave the child without a diaper or gauze diaper for as long as possible, use powders based on natural minerals without additional aromatic, herbal and disinfectant compositions, and additionally not provoke the child's immunity with allergenic foods. Such an allergy to diapers as a contact allergic reaction to cellulose is extremely rarely diagnosed.