Toilet Seat/Poop Dermatitis

It now seems that what your mother used to tell you is true. You can catch things from toilet seats. According to a new study by Johns Hopkins being released today, Toilet Seat/Poop Dermatitis is becoming more prevalent, not only in 3rd world countries but in the good old U. S. of A.

Toilet Seat/Poop Dermatitis is a condition that has been included in medical textbooks for years but it has mostly been seen in the underdeveloped countries. Pediatricians who have been practicing for less than a decade may have not seen this particular kind of rash. However, according to Bernard Cohen, the Director of Pediatric Dermatology at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, it is now important that every pediatrician be aware - Toilet Seat/Poop Dermatitis is apparently re-emerging.

The study was small and involved only 5 cases from India and the United States, but is is of enough concern that it will be in the February journal Pediatrics. In underdeveloped countries, the cause for Toilet Seat/Poop Dermatitis may have nothing to do with a toilet seat. It is most likely caused by unsanitary conditions and insufficient cleaning. In the United States, however, the cause for this condition's re-appearance might surprise you. It is thought to be caused by so-called fancy (perhaps the ones advertised as soft) and wooden toilet seats that are varnished or painted. The results of the study released to the public did not make it clear if this is because the wooden or other "fancy" toilet seats made it too difficult remove all bacteria when cleaning. Another cause that was listed was strong chemicals that are generally used for cleaning in the U.S.

Dr. Cohen is urging all pediatricians to ask parents about toilet seats the child uses (and toilet seat cleaners being used) when they see a child with dermatitis issues around the buttock and upper thigh area.

Toilet Seat/Poop Dermatitis is easily treated with topical steroids, but many doctors do not recognize this condition and treat it improperly. The condition can become really painful, can spread and is vulnerable to a bacteria infection. The children in the small case study were at first mis-diagnosed and suffered needlessly, some for years before being treated correctly.

Some of the suggestions that Dr. Cohen makes to parents involve making changes that may not be easy.

Use paper toilet seat covers in all public restrooms (including school).
Perhaps a parent could present this recommendation from Johns Hopkins to the school board and and get them to furnish toilet seat covers.

Replace all wooden toilet seats with plastic ones.
The school may resist this one for the same reason that I have. Plastic toilet seats are not made as well as the wooden ones. They tend to have plastics fittings instead of the stronger metal ones and wear out much sooner.

Clean toilet seats and bowls daily.
Hopefully, your school is already doing this.

Use rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning toilet seats instead of harsh chemicals.
This may also be a hard sell to the school system. Our culture is seems to believe that the harsher the chemical, the better the cleaning job.

In the end, parents have to evaluate the suggestions and use their best judgment. Incorporate the suggestions you feel you can make at home and be aware of the Toilet Seat/Poop Dermatitis possibility if your child (or yourself) gets the tell-tale rash around the buttocks and upper thighs. Make sure your doctor is aware of Toilet Seat/ Poop Dermatitis and make sure that you get a topical steroid to treat it.

www.newswise.com

www.hopkinschildrens.org
Dr Bernard Cohen, M.D.
Director of Pediatric Dermatology
Johns Hopkins Children's Center

Dermatologist Paramoo Sugathan, M.D.
Baby Memorial Hospital
Calicut, Kerala India