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Continuity Clinic Notebook:

Chapter II. The Evaluation of the Sick Child

Chapter 2 Index

A. Evaluation by system:

1. General

2. HEENT

3. Cardiopulmonary

4. GI

5. GU

6. Orthopedics

7. Neurological

8. Skin
--The Evaluation of a Rash: Is it Allergic?

--Common Viral Rashes of Childhood
--Parvovirus B19

 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Diaper Rash

1. Diaper Rash: or “Irritant Contact Dermatitis”: does not necessarily need Nystatin

  • results from overhydration of the skin, friction, maceration, contact with feces and/or urine, reaction to medications, type of diaper
  • findings on physical exam
    • red, scaly, fissured and eroded; patchy or confluent
    • if secondarily infected: impetiginous or candidal
  • basic treatment:
    • frequent changes with cleansing: do not recommend leaving diapers off.
    • discontinue fruits and juices, use diaper wipes sparingly, and avoid fabric softeners, avoid dusting powders routinely, was with mild soap - Dove; pat dry or use a hair dryer to blow dry.
    • topical steroids - warnings may be overstated about recurrent use.

Treatment of the Resistant Diaper Rash: Remember to ask which kind of diaper is being used!

Associated problems that might give clues to resistant diaper rash other than hygiene:

  • ****atopic dermatitis - commonly overlooked reason for resistant rash must treat this as would treat atopic dermatitis.
  • candida: often have history of recent antibiotics, but also see if any history of atopic derm or seborrhea.
    • PE: red, confluent plaque with serpiginous border often involving the perianal skin, inguinal folds, 
    • RX: made worse by cornstarch (usually) nystatin, miconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole 3-4 X/day gentian violet also an alternative -but can be irritative may need po meds as well some use a combination of steroid and nystatin: if atopic -
      Mycolog II contains no neomycin - less sensitizingalso use thick paste of zinc oxide or vaseline
  • psoriasis: may be only area involved in pediatrics: look for papulosquamous disorder characterized by white scaly patches. Rx: tar
  • impetigo: just as in atopic derm, can be a subtle diagnosis
  • rare illnesses: acrodermatitis, histiocytosis X, tinea, and seborrhea

Nonprescription Diaper Rash Ointments and Their Ingredients:

  1. Desitin Ointment: Zinc Oxide (40%), Cod Liver Oil in a petrolatum-lanolin base - can prevent as well as treat diaper rash.
  2. Desitin Cornstarch Baby Powder: contains zinc oxide with topical starch: Keep powder away from baby’s face.
  3. A and D ointment: Cod Liver Oil, white petrolatum, lanolin, and zinc oxide
  4. Caldesene powder and ointment: ointment: petrolatum and zinc oxide with cod liver oil, lanolin; talc in powder
  5. Balmex: zinc oxide in peruvian balsam… same as Flanders Ointment (per Dr. Flanders) 

Reviewed 10/2001

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Department of Pediatrics  |  Medical College of Georgia
Please email comments, suggestions or questions to:
John T.  Benjamin M.D., 
jbenj@mcg.edu

February 27, 2004