Help: My child has nappy rash!
Change nappies frequently, keep your child's bottom clean and dry, and apply barrier cream to treat nappy rash.
Nappy rash is a very common skin problem, especially in babies and toddlers who have not mastered using the potty. It occurs when the skin of your child’s bottom becomes damaged and irritated.
What causes nappy rash?
The leading cause of nappy rash is wearing a damp or dirty nappy for an extended period. This is because ammonia, found in urine and faeces, can irritate your child’s skin. The moisture of urine and faeces can also be bothersome.
Other factors that can cause or worsen nappy rash include:
- Friction between the nappy and the skin
- Plastic pull up pants, which prevent normal air circulation and keep the nappy area damp
- Soaps, detergents, or fragrances left on the skin after bathing or left on cloth nappies after washing
- Harsh chemicals found in some disposable baby wipes
- Existing skin ailments, such as eczema, psoriasis, thrush, and impetigo
Nappy rash signs
If your child has nappy rash, their bottom and genital skin will appear irritated, red and inflamed. There may be spots, pimples or blisters.
While urine does not normally infiltrate skin creases, nappy rash can occasionally migrate up to your child’s tummy or spread towards their back.
Is it necessary for my child to see a doctor about nappy rash?
Maybe. If your child has nappy rash that hasn’t improved after a week, even after using treatment recommended by your pharmacist or has an unexplained fever, you should take them to the doctor.
Diagnosis of nappy rash
To diagnose nappy rash, your doctor will ask you questions about your child and examine their skin. A swab may be taken by the doctor to identify any thrush or germs on the skin.
8 Nappy rash treatments
The goal of nappy rash treatments is to restore the injured and irritated skin and protect it from further harm caused by wetness and friction.
- Change your child’s nappies regularly. This keeps the nappy region dry and allow your child’s skin to heal. Check your child’s nappy every hour or so to see if it is moist or dirty.
- After each nappy change, gently clean your baby’s skin with lukewarm water and cotton wool or a light cotton cloth.
- Use a mild, soap-free wash while bathing your child. Pat the skin dry and apply a light moisturiser.
- After each nappy change, apply a barrier cream. You could apply a zinc cream or petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline. These lotions are available without a prescription at your local supermarket or pharmacy. Apply the cream liberally enough to form a barrier that prevents urine and faeces from getting onto the skin. If you can still see any cream at the following nappy change, you’ve applied the cream too thickly.
- Every day, give your child’s bottom as much air as possible. Allow your child to play without a nappy – simply place a towel under them.
- If possible, loosen your child’s nappy at the velcro straps, or use a larger nappy to allow air to circulate freely and reduce friction.
- If you usually use cloth nappies, consider switching to disposable nappies until the rash heals. If you use cloth nappies, avoid wearing plastic over pants.
- Watch your child’s diet. Citrus fruits and tomato-based products are high in acid and can aggravate nappy rash.
Medications to treat nappy rash
Your doctor may consider using weak corticosteroid creams or ointments like hydrocortisone for severe nappy rash. These are perfectly safe to use for a short period under the supervision of your doctor. When applying these creams, always follow the directions on the package.
The link between nappy rash and UTIs
In girls, nappy rash raises the risk of urinary tract infection and vaginal infections. This is why it’s critical to treat nappy rash and, if possible, prevent it.
