Learn more about adult diaper rash and the actions you can take to treat and prevent it so you can look out for your loved one’s needs better.
Adult diaper rash is a common condition, particularly for those with incontinence or those receiving long-term care from family members or staff. Although it usually isn’t serious, if untreated, it could worsen. Most of the time, prevention is preferable to cure.
In this article, we’ll examine adult diaper rash’s causes, signs, and symptoms, as well as possible remedies.
What is Adult Diaper Rash?
Adult diaper rash occurs when the skin around the diaper area (or even around any pads you may be wearing) turns pink or red and becomes inflamed. It might resemble a sore and hurt or itch, making you or a loved one uncomfortable.
Adult diaper rash can affect anyone in the right situation, but it most frequently affects people with urinary incontinence.
Degrees of Diaper Rash
- Slight – This is the initial stage of diaper rash. You might observe a slight increase in localized redness during mild rashes.
Within 24 hours, a mild diaper rash can be treated properly and eliminated. - Mild – The following stage is a minor rash. It is at this point that rashes are more obvious.
- Moderate – Because it causes irritation that can last for 4-5 days, moderate diaper rash is more severe.
- Severe – It may take a full week to heal from this kind of diaper rash, which spread throughout the area covered by the diaper.
Once a person develops rashes, prompt treatment is challenging. They must be relieved of their excruciating discomfort as soon as possible.
What Causes Diaper Rash in Adults?
Diaper rash in adults can result from the use of adult diapers, incontinence underwear, or pads.
The specific causes related to using these products include:
- Skin irritation from trapped heat and moisture
- Skin barrier damage from chafing or rubbing
- Inflammation caused by the ammonia in trapped urine or the enzymes in stools, which damage skin tissues when in close contact with the skin
- Allergic reactions to dyes, perfumes, or materials in the diaper, underwear, or pad
- Fungal infections, most commonly candida albicans
- Bacterial infections, most commonly staphylococcus aureus
- Flare-ups of chronic skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema
Not all people who experience diaper rash wear or use diapers. Diaper rash and the infections associated with it can also be caused by:
- Poor genital hygiene
- Allergic reactions or flare-ups related to chemicals, dyes, or fragrances found in detergents used to wash underwear
- Chronic or severe chafing or rubbing
- Allergic reactions to dyes, perfumes, or other substances found in personal hygiene wipes or lubricants
What Are the Symptoms of Adult Diaper Rash?
Mild cases of diaper rash may include:
- Pink or red skin, with dry patches or bumps
- Itching
- Discomfort
More serious cases of diaper rash may develop if left for too long:
- Skin that is warm to the touch, looks raw, inflamed, or burnt, and is red and tender.
- Skin lesions
- Burning
- Severe itching
- Bleeding or oozing
- May result in burning or pain when urinating or having a bowel movement. (may indicate UTI)
In extreme cases, diaper rash may be brought on by an infection and come with other symptoms like fever, exhaustion, and aches and pains throughout the body.
Treatment for Adult Diaper Rash
A mild adult diaper rash is typically treatable at home.
Home Remedies
The majority of the time, changing briefs and pads frequently and as soon as they are soiled is the best way to treat adult diaper rash.
People with diaper rash should also:
- Change briefs or pads if they become even slightly wet
- Gently wash the affected area a few times a day with lukewarm water and hypoallergenic soaps or cleansers
- Pat the skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing it
- Thoroughly rinse off all soaps after bathing
- Use non-irritant cleansers and personal hygiene wipes that do not contain fragrances, added dyes, or alcohol
- Wear briefs and pads as infrequently as possible
A person can also encourage airflow by:
- Allowing the area to air dry after bathing or cleaning
- Using specialized briefs with micropores
- Avoiding wearing briefs that are too tight
Symptoms may be alleviated by using creams and ointments with petroleum jelly and zinc oxide. These products can be used in the entire area daily.
Applying a thin layer of lubricating cream or gel, such as lanolin or petroleum jelly, on top can help people who find that zinc oxide creams are too sticky once they dry.
Other Treatment
Diaper rashes should be treated with basic hygiene and over-the-counter creams or ointments if they do not get better on their own. Furthermore, if a person’s rash is severe or persists for more than three days, they should seek medical advice.
The majority of diaper rash cases are caused by a combination of poor hygiene and skin irritation, but a number of underlying medical conditions can manifest similarly. Topical antifungal drugs like ciclopirox, nystatin, or an instance of imidazole may be prescribed by a physician for patients with fungi infections.
The majority of antifungal creams need to be applied twice daily for seven to ten days. In addition to using creams, people with severe fungal infections may also need to take oral medications.
A doctor will recommend antibacterial creams like those with bacitracin or fusidic acid if a bacterial infection is what’s causing the rash. Generally, two or three times a day for seven to ten days is how often the creams must be applied.
During flare-ups, people with underlying skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema may need to apply corticosteroid creams and ointments.
When Should You See a Doctor?
There are many ways to prevent diaper rashes, which will help to maintain a normal and healthy state of skin, despite the fact that they can be uncomfortable and painful.
Severe diaper rash never lasts longer than a week or two when properly treated. But if you’ve tried the aforementioned remedies and your rashes are still present, it’s time to see a doctor.
Based on a patient’s condition, dermatologists will recommend treatments. The advice they provide can vary from person to person. Any time there is a rash, regardless of how mild, severe, or normal it is, a thorough examination is required.
How to Prevent Diaper Rash?
Changing briefs frequently and as soon as they become wet or dirty is the best way to avoid diaper rash.
Another way to lessen the chance of irritation is to wash the entire area every day with a hypoallergenic soap or cleaner. Instead of rubbing the skin dry, pat it dry or let it air dry.
Additionally, chafing can be avoided and inflamed skin can be soothed by applying moisturizers or medicated creams before donning underwear or pads.
Products and natural remedies are available in stores and online and include:
- Calmoseptine
- Penaten
- Coconut oil
- Aloe vera
- Cod liver oil
- Calamine creams
- Lanolin
- Cornstarch
To increase comfort and lower the risk of diaper rash, adult briefs and pads are constantly being improved.
Products that should help to reduce the risk of irritation and infection include:
- Hypoallergenic briefs and pads
- Superabsorbent briefs and pads made using sodium polyacrylate
- Breathable briefs and pads with tiny holes called micropores that increase airflow and reduce humidity
- Reusable cotton briefs
Conclusion: Treat Adult Diaper Rash
Ignorance of a persistent diaper rash can result in serious issues with your skin and body. When treated with basic hygiene, zinc oxide, and lubricating creams, adult diaper rash typically goes away in 1 or 2 days.
However, in order to prevent permanent skin damage and other health issues, it is typically necessary to treat severe diaper rashes and those that are brought on by underlying medical conditions.
