Diaper Rash Research

The term “diaper rash” refers to several skin problems babies experience on the buttocks and genitals. Diaper rash is generally considered to be an acute inflammatory reaction limited to the diaper area.The most frequently experienced form of diaper rash looks red and chafed, and results when skin, damaged by friction, is exposed to local irritants such as urine and feces in a diaper. Enzymes contained in the stool such as lipase and trypsin as well as ammonia from urine act to raise the pH. Inflammation in this kind of diaper rash is believed to result from these pH changes. This means products of urine and feces cause the skin to lose its natural acidity, which is typically a pH of 5.0. When the skin’s pH rises ( become less acidic) the outer protective layer of skin cells begin to degenerate and the natural microflora which live on the skin’s surface are killed. Harmful bacteria and fungi such as Candida albicans can then replace the normal bacteria and cause infection, Rising pH thereby hurts a baby’s natural defenses and make your baby more vulnerable to chafing and infection. By maintaining a pH of 5.0 on and around the skin’s surface, the baby’s natural defenses can remain intact.

References;
1. "Management of Diaper Dermatitis", Gupta, A.K., International Journal of Dermatology, 2004, 43; 830-834
2. "Pharmacology Consult", Bell, A.E. Infectious Diseases In Children, September 2006, 12 - 13