Irritation is certainly every parent’s worst nightmare. However, there’s a hidden fact that not all parents know: One of the most common triggers of diaper rash is the mixture of baby feces (poo) and urine (pee).
The combination of urine and feces in a baby’s diaper can increase the local pH level, which may lead to skin irritation, particularly given the sensitivity of an infant’s skin. This mixture of poo and pee can lead to a disaster known as the APeePooCalypse.
If the world knows “apocalypse” as the end of everything, then a baby’s bottom has its own version: the APeePooCalypse . Many parents are still unaware of the dangers of this APeePooCalypse. Yet, the danger of skin rash caused by the mixing of baby feces and urine has existed for a long time. Unfortunately, no one has stopped this condition.
Learn the facts about baby rashes caused by the mixture of feces and urine, and how parents can prevent the risk of irritation!
Why Is It Dangerous When Baby Poo Is Mixed with Pee?
Baby feces mixed with urine can be harmful to your little one’s skin, which is still extremely delicate and sensitive. The combination of urine and feces leads to increased ammonia formation, potentially heightening the risk of irritation in babies.
The formation of ammonia raises the baby’s skin pH from its ideal level of 5.5 to 6.0 to a not ideal level. According to a journal titled pH value of infant’s skin is higher on diaper area compared to nondiaper area, the average pH in the diaper area reaches 6.11.
This increase in pH to 6.11 makes a baby’s skin three times more prone to irritation. Moreover, prolonged contact between feces and the baby’s skin is also dangerous because feces is not only dirty and full of bacteria—it also contains enzymes (proteases and lipases) that function to break down food in the intestines. This combination can damage the baby’s skin barrier.
This phenomenon is what we call the APeePooCalypse . Many parents are still unaware of the dangers of the APeePooCalypse, putting their babies at risk of developing rashes on their bottoms.
Unfortunately, the APeePooCalypse cannot be completely prevented or avoided due to the current diaper design, which does not separate areas for urine and feces. Diapers typically allow urine and feces to mix in the same area.
If parents don’t quickly notice that their baby has peed and pooped, the baby’s sensitive bottom may stay in contact with the waste for an extended period. As a result, irritation and rash are very likely to occur.
What Kind of Rash Is Caused by the Mixing of Baby’s Pee and Poo?
Diaper dermatitis is a form of rash caused by the mixing of a baby’s feces and urine—an event humorously referred to as the APeePooCalypse . According to the journal Diaper Dermatitis, it is an inflammatory skin reaction that typically occurs in the perineal and perianal regions (the diaper area).
This condition represents the most common skin disorder among infants. While it is primarily caused by skin irritation, other dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis can also manifest as diaper rash.
Several factors contribute to the development of diaper dermatitis, including increased moisture and prolonged exposure to urine or feces. When parents allow their babies to remain in soiled diapers for extended periods, the risk of developing a rash becomes significantly higher. The combination of feces and urine triggers the so-called APeePooCalypse , increasing the likelihood of skin irritation.
The accumulation of moisture inside the diaper leads to friction and maceration, making an infant’s delicate skin more susceptible to damage. Additionally, changes in skin pH play a crucial role. An increase in pH levels—caused by the breakdown of urea in urine—can activate fecal enzymes that further compromise the skin’s protective barrier.
According to Healthy Children, diaper rash from irritation typically presents as pink or red patches on the skin covered by the diaper.
Naturally, no parent wants their little one to endure the discomfort of diaper dermatitis—red, inflamed skin on a baby is never a welcome sight.
How to Prevent APeePooCalypse Diaper Rash?
There is currently no definitive solution to diaper dermatitis, but the APeePooCalypse—a term used to describe the irritation caused by the mixing of baby’s feces and urine—can be minimized through proper diaper hygiene. Key practices include keeping the baby’s bottom clean, changing diapers frequently, and using highly absorbent diapers.
Equally important, parents should consider using diapers designed to prevent the mixing of feces and urine in the same area. Diapers featuring a separation zone for feces and urine can significantly help in minimizing the risk of an APeePooCalypse.
How to Minimize the Risk of Diaper Rash:
- Change diapers frequently
Moisture from a wet or dirty diaper left on too long can cause chafing on your baby’s very sensitive skin. Over time, urine breaks down and produces chemicals that irritate the skin. Additionally, digestive enzymes in feces can further damage the skin. Frequent diaper changes are essential to prevent prolonged contact between the skin and a mix of feces and urine.
- Gently clean the skin
The skin in the diaper area should be cleaned gently and kept dry. Use water and a non-soap cleanser to avoid further irritation. For severe rashes, a spray bottle or water mist can be used. Avoid scrubbing—pat the skin gently and allow it to air dry.
- Choose high-absorbency diapers
High-absorbency diapers help reduce skin contact with moisture, keeping the diaper area drier and more comfortable for the baby. The greater the absorbency, the better the protection against diaper rash.
- Choose diapers with pee and poo separation zones
Some advanced diaper designs feature separate zones for urine and feces, minimizing mixing. This is important because the combination of urine and feces can increase local pH levels, leading to irritation and rashes. While such products are already available in certain developed countries like China, they are not yet widely adopted globally.
The APeePooCalypse—the mixing of baby’s urine and feces—is a leading cause of diaper dermatitis. This mixture increases skin pH and leads to irritation, redness, and discomfort. Unfortunately, many parents are still unaware that prolonged exposure to a full, wet diaper significantly increases the risk of diaper rash.
Babies have especially delicate skin that is highly susceptible to irritation. While a complete solution has yet to be developed, the key lies in prevention through good diapering practices.
Is your baby at risk of experiencing the APeePooCalypse?
References:
Ph Value of Infant’s Skin is Higher on Diaper Area Compared to Nondiaper Area, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332297434_Ph_value_of_infant’s_skin_is_higher_on_diaper_area_compared_to_nondiaper_area
Common Diaper Rashes & Treatments, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Diaper-Rash.aspx#:~:text=Irritant%20diaper%20rash%20looks%20like,this%20skin%20usually%20looks%20normal.
Diaper Dermatitis, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559067/
