The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-06-21

that these are all of the same
kind and primarily due to the re-
action Of the baby's delicate skin
70 filth, but while this is the pri-
mary factor in most instances,
there are several other kinds Of
diaper rash and each requires its
own form of treatment.
The simple form is a mild In
f1ammatory reaction of the skin
TO either ammoniacal or acid dis
charge. II is an irritation not
an infection. There is no break
in the skin and the redness and
itching are the result Of an irri-
tative process showing in the re-
spouse Of the blood vessels (red-
ness) and nerve endings Gtch-
ing) Of the skin. Nearly every
baby reared in a state Of civiliza-
ton experiences some degree,
mild to severe, Of this condition.
The treatment and prevention
Of this relatively simple form Of
dermatitis is common sense selec-
ton, care and washing Of the
diapers. There is no rule about
how often diapers should be
changed and depending on chang
ing conditions an the state Of
irritation of the young hopeful's
behind the ritual of changing and
cleansing should be observed as
often as indicated. The soiled nap
kins should be washed in soap
arr water mot washing soda) and
then soaked in a mild antiseptic
solution Saturated boracic acid)
and rinsed and dried thoroughly.
Treatment for Impetigo
But complications may occur to
this simple Initiative dermatitis.
The skin may become macerated
and broken and germs get in
causing impetigo, as the pustular
eruptions of the skin are called
in technical language. This may
take the form of discreet assesses
or ulcers, or may be pretty diff
fuse infiltration of the skin with
pustular secretion and debris for
nation. The treatment here is by
the application of some germicidal
agent such as 2 per cent silver
nitrate solution or ammoniated
mercury ointment, or, nowadays ]
suppose, the most popular is some
form of sulfa drug ointment. II
silver nitrate is used the applica-
tion should be followed by a sooth-
ing ointment such as zinc oxide.
Yeast and ringworm infections
are others that may superimpose
themselves on the simple napkin
dermatitis. Here the use Of Whit
fields ointment is naturally indi-
Gated. In fact in any stubborn
rash in this area which does not
respond to the measures of clean
illness, soothing lotions and pus-
germ antiseptics, it is proper to
suspect ringworm as the causative
factor.
Rash On Baby's Heels
A perfectly natural compliea-
tor Of any Of these conditions is
that the rash may appear on the
baby's heels. Natural because the
baby's kickings whilst lying on its
back during changing time bring
the heels into contact with the in
fected surface.
Still another form which resists
stubbornly all the ordinary meth
DDS of treatment outlined above is
scabies, or itch. 1t is due TO the
entrance of the itch mite into the
skin. In infants, in fact, this part
of the skin is the site Of election
for the infestation Of the itch
mite: in adults, Of course, it is
TT web between the fingers. Once
the diagnosis is established the
treatment should be by balsam
of Peru, because very young chill
dren do not react well to sulphur,
which is the standard drug for
the treatment Of scabies in adults.
However it may have to be used
If results are not obtained by other
methods.