Condition Information

Diaper Rash is usually caused by friction that develops when an individual’s sensitive skin is rubbed by wet diapers. This results in a red, shiny rash on the exposed areas. The skin under the diaper get red from irritants such as urine or feces. Items such as diaper wipes, diapers themselves, laundry detergent, soap or other cleaning agents can also cause irritation.

Dry skin that does not improve with lifestyle remedies may be a result of an underlying medical condition. Dermatitis is the medical term for extremely dry skin. The four types of dermatitis are allergic, atopic, contact and seborrheic.

Allergic dermatitis is also known as eczema and occurs when an allergic reaction to certain substances causes rashes on the skin. It leads to red, itchy skin that can also be scaly. The dry skin tends to get worse when you are exposed to an allergen, such as dust, pet dander, or pollen.
Atopic dermatitis is often hereditary and is a long-term skin condition that results in extremely dry skin.
Contact dermatitis occurs if you are exposed to an irritating chemical agent. In this case, the skin immediately becomes inflamed. This is often seen after exposure to poison oak.
Seborrheic dermatitis occurs when your skin produces too much oil. It results in a red and scaly rash, usually on the scalp. This type of dermatitis is common in infants.