Nappy rash is a common problem as your baby’s skin is sensitive and their bottom is cooped up in a nice warm atmosphere all day. It’s amazing how quickly nappy rash can come on…one nappy change your baby will have a beautiful healthy bottom and at the next change there is a sore looking red rash. Many parents report that teething can bring on a dose of nappy rash, but often there is no obvious explanation.

The most common reason why nappy rash occurs is when ammonia, from urine and faeces, comes into contact with the skin and irritates it. The skin usually looks red and ‘burnt’. So prevention and treatment of nappy rash is aimed at minimising contact between urine and/or faeces and your baby’s skin.

There are creams and powders you can use to prevent nappy rash and manufacturers recommend that these be used at every nappy change, after you’ve cleaned your baby’s bottom. These products should be applied to dry bottoms:

• Zinc and castor oil creams and petroleum jelly protect your baby’s skin by creating a water resistant barrier. Some are fragrance free which can be good for sensitive skins.
• Nappy balms and ointments also create a water resistant barrier to protect sensitive bottoms. Some use a blend of plant extracts in a castor oil base, most are fragrance free and colour free.
• Powders absorb moisture and help to keep bottoms dry. Cornstarch powder also acts as a lubricant to prevent nappy chafing. Some products contain aloe extracts, which are soothing. To avoid clouds of powder spreading across the room, dab it on with a cotton wool ball.

If, or more probably when, your baby shows signs of nappy rash, there are a range of actions and products you can employ to cure it:

• Air helps to heal the rash, so let your baby lie on the floor on a blanket or towel without a nappy on (with boys it’s advisable to have a handful of paper towels handy!).
• It’s important to keep the area clean from urine and faecal matter. Soaps can aggravate the rash, so just use a warm wet cloth with soap-free baby bath or wash to clean your baby’s bottom.
• If you’re using cloth or reusable nappies, avoid using strong washing powders. Wash them in soap flakes or washing liquids for sensitive skin and rinse well to make sure all of the detergent is removed, then hang them out to dry in the sun if possible.
• Creams containing zinc oxide can be used for nappy rash treatment as this ingredient has antifungal properties. They also contain moisturising ingredients that help to soothe and calm irritated skin.
• Antiseptic creams are available which have oils for moisturising dry skin, vitamin B5 for healing broken skin and antiseptic ingredients to prevent further infection.

It’s time to see your doctor if the rash spreads outside the nappy area or it gets worse after two days of treatment. Nappy rash can get infected, so if it develops into sores or yellow spots appear, or your baby also has a high temperature, is not feeding or is generally unwell, then it’s time to head off to the doctor.

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