[Diaper dermatitis. Classification, occurrence, causes, prevention and treatment].

Diaper dermatitis is a multifactorial dermatological disorder characterized by inflammation in the diaper area. About half of all babies and old people in need of care experience light dermatitis, while 20% have moderate and 5% severe dermatitis. Friction from the diaper, occlusion, irritation from faeces, ammonia, detergents, candida albicans, proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes and moisture deposited on the epidermis cause damage at the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis. Diaper dermatitis is caused by a combination of mostly irritant effects. Compounds that infiltrate the skin can aggravate the reaction to the damaged epidermis. The barrier function of epidermis must be restored in order to prevent and treat diaper dermatitis.