(EN) A Complete Guide to Recognizing How is Prickly heat Diaper Rash and Skin Allergy Different in Babies?
Atopic Dermatitis
A baby's soft and delicate skin is very prone to various problems, such as diaper rash, prickly heat and skin allergies.
They all have similar features such as redness, spots and itching, but they are treated differently. It is important for parents to recognize the differences so that they can provide the right treatment and prevent the condition from getting worse.
In this article, we will fully discuss the differences between diaper rash, prickly heat, and skin allergies, from the causes, symptoms, where they appear, to how to deal with them.
Why are babies' skin prone to skin problems?
Before discussing the differences, let's first understand the reasons why baby skin is so sensitive to various factors:
Skin barrier is immature: A baby's skin is much thinner and its protective layer is not fully developed compared to an adult. This makes it more prone to moisture loss and sensitive to substances that may cause irritation or allergies.
Sweat glands are rudimentary: The ducts of the baby's sweat glands are still small and easily clogged.
Immature skin defenses: A baby's skin has an immature immune system, making it more sensitive to external factors.
1. Diaper Rash (Diaper Rash / Diaper Dermatitis)
Ruam Popok
Diaper rash is a common skin irritation that occurs on diaper-covered areas, such as the buttocks, thigh creases, and genital area. It is caused by excess moisture, friction, and prolonged exposure to urine and feces. Main causes:
Friction: Urine and feces that collect inside the diaper create a moist and wet environment that irritates the skin. Friction between the diaper and the skin also aggravates the condition.
Chemical irritation: Ammonia formed from the breakdown of urine can irritate the skin.
Fungal infection (Candida): The moist and warm environment in the diaper area is an ideal place for fungal growth.
Unsuitable diapers: Some types of diapers or wipes may contain chemicals or fragrances that can irritate your child's skin.
Distinctive Feature:
Location: Appears in diaper-covered areas: buttocks, inner thighs, groin, and around the genitals.
Appearance:
Common diaper rash: Bright redness, small spots, or patches in areas of direct contact with the diaper. The skin may look swollen or feel hot.
Diaper rash caused by fungus: More intense redness, more defined rash borders, and often followed by small patches of fluid that spread outward from the main area. Most commonly seen in the folds of the thighs or buttocks.
Sensation: Itching and stinging, making the baby fussy during diaper changes or during urination/pooping. When to suspect diaper rash?
The rash appears in areas that are always covered by diapers.
The condition worsens if diapers are rarely changed.
There is a history of diarrhea.
2. Prickly Heat (Miliaria)
Biang Keringat
Prickly heat is a small rash that appears when a baby's sweat ducts become blocked, usually due to hot and humid weather. Sweat trapped under the skin causes small red spots that feel itchy and uncomfortable.
Root Cause:
Hot temperature and high humidity: Babies who are overheated due to too thick clothing, hot ambient temperature, or fever will produce excessive sweat.
Immature sweat ducts: A baby's sweat ducts are still very small and can easily become clogged with dead skin cells or bacteria.
Distinctive Feature:
Location: Appears on areas of the body that are moist, frequently rubbed, or covered, such as the folds of the neck, armpits, groin, chest, back, and sometimes the face or scalp.
Appearance:
Miliaria Crystalline: Small clear bumps like water droplets.
Miliaria Rubra (Prickly Heat): Small red bumps that feel itchy and sometimes hot (like a "prick" of a needle).
Miliaria Profunda (Rare in Infants): Larger, flesh-like lumps that appear due to sweat being trapped deeper.
Sensation: Generally itchy and makes the baby uncomfortable or fussy, especially when hot.
When to suspect it's prickly heat?
Appears when the weather is hot or the baby is dressed too thickly.
The rash is often in skin folds or sweaty areas.
Itching and small spots (can be clear or reddish).
3. Skin Allergies (Allergic Contact Dermatitis or Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis)
Alergi Kulit
Skin allergies in infants can arise as the body's response to certain substances, such as food, detergents, skincare products or dust. Unlike the previous two conditions, allergies occur as a response from the body's immune system.
The main cause:
Allergic contact dermatitis: The reaction occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an allergic trigger, such as fragrances in soaps, detergents, lotions, wet wipes, nickel in clothing buttons, or rubber in diapers.
Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis: A chronic skin condition caused by a combination of genetic factors (family history of allergies), weak skin barrier issues, and exposure to environmental allergens (dust, animal dander) or certain ingredients in foods that trigger allergies such as cow's milk, eggs, wheat, nuts.
Distinctive features:
Location:
Allergic contact dermatitis: Appears in areas that are in direct contact with the allergen. For example, if it is a detergent allergy, it can appear all over the body exposed to clothing. If it is a diaper allergy, it can appear in the diaper area, but may also appear on the waist or upper thighs exposed to the diaper.
Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis: The typical pattern in infants is on the cheeks, scalp, outer elbows, and outer knees. In older infants, it can be on the elbow and knee creases, wrists, and ankles.
Appearance:
Allergic contact dermatitis: Redness, swelling, intense itching, sometimes blistering or wetness, with limits that may correspond to the form of allergen contact.
Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis: Red, dry, scaly, thickened, and very itchy patches. In severe cases they may crack and bleed.
Sensation: Very intense itching, often severe enough to disrupt sleep and make the baby fussy.
When to suspect it's a skin allergy?
The rash shows no improvement despite general treatment for diaper rash or prickly heat.
There is a family history of allergies or eczema.
The rash appears after exposure to a new product (soap, detergent, food).
The itching is very intense and lasts for a long time.
The rash appears in typical eczema locations (cheeks, elbows, knees).
When to Take Baby to the Doctor?
While this article provides guidance, it is very important to consult a pediatrician if:
The rash does not improve after a few days of home treatment.
The rash spreads, becomes very red, swollen, festering, or bleeding.
The baby appears to be in great pain, is excessively fussy, or has a fever.
The rash keeps recurring.
General Care for Baby's Skin
Regardless of the type of rash, keeping baby's skin clean and moisturized with the right products is always a priority. Here are general care tips for baby skin:
Choose hypoallergenic products: Use soaps, shampoos, lotions and laundry detergents that are specially formulated for baby's sensitive skin, free of synthetic fragrances and dyes, and paraben-free.
Bathe with warm water: Do not use too hot water, and limit bath time.
Keep clean and dry: Routinely change diapers and keep skin folds dry.
Avoid clothes that are too thick: Use baby clothes that absorb sweat and are not too tight, especially during hot weather.
Use moisturizer: Apply baby lotion regularly to keep the skin barrier healthy.
Although diaper rash, prickly heat and skin allergies in babies have similar symptoms, each has different causes and characteristics. Understanding the differences between diaper rash, prickly heat and skin allergies is important so that the treatment given is appropriate and effective. With proper care, your baby's skin will remain healthy, comfortable and protected. Always pay attention to signals from your little one's skin, if the rash does not improve or is accompanied by severe symptoms such as fever or significant swelling, immediately consult a doctor for further treatment.
