Nappy rash is a very common skin condition. The skin looks red and can be spotty, particularly at the edge of the rash. It happens when the skin on your child's bottom is damaged and irritated.
Usually nappy rash is mild and doesn't bother your baby but it can be sore when you wipe the area. Sometimes if the skin is raw, it can be very sore. Nappy rash may make your baby unsettled or irritable.
The main cause of nappy rash is wearing a wet or dirty nappy for too long.
Constant wetness and rubbing can cause damage to the skin. The longer a nappy is wet or dirty, the higher the risk there is of damage to the skin.
Yeast infection (candida or thrush) can grow in warm moist areas and may be there if your baby has a severe nappy rash. It can be treated with a cream.
Sometimes nappy rash can be caused by bacteria.
You can prevent nappy rash by doing some simple things around nappy changing and:
Avoid the following as they can cause skin irritation:
Barrier creams or ointments may help to protect your baby's skin from moisture. They form a barrier between your baby's skin and the poo or wee. Put on a barrier cream thickly at each nappy change.
Examples of barrier cream:
Give your baby as much nappy-free time as possible each day.
If you are using disposable nappies, choose a good quality disposable nappy that allows moisture to be absorbed quickly.
If you are using cloth nappies:
Most nappy rash gets better with these simple steps.
See your nurse, pharmacist or doctor if the rash lasts for more than a few days. It may mean that there is a skin infection such as a thrush infection.
If your baby's nappy rash doesn't get better with simple measures, your healthcare provider may suggest a mild steroid cream or ointment, or an antifungal cream. Occasionally, antibiotics are needed to treat infected nappy rash.
Steroids reduce the redness and inflammation. Use only a very small amount. Follow the instructions. Put the cream on before using a barrier cream or ointment. Use it for a few days until the rash has cleared. You don't usually need a steroid cream or ointment for more than 7 days.
You usually put this on 2 to 3 times a day. Unlike a steroid cream, keep using an antifungal cream for 7 to 10 days after the rash has cleared, to make sure all the fungus has gone.
Use this without a barrier cream so that you clear up the infection first. Then use the barrier cream to help clear up the nappy rash.
Occasionally broken skin from nappy rash can become infected with bacteria. You may need to take your child to the doctor who may precribe antibiotic medicine. Your child takes the antibiotics by mouth. You may also need to put on cream or ointment.
See your doctor if your baby's nappy rash doesn't get better.
https://www.plunket.org.nz/caring-for-your-child/hygiene-and-daily-care/poos-nappies-and-toilet/nappies-and-nappy-rash/ [1] [Accessed 8/11/2021]
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Nappy_rash/ [2] [Accessed 8/11/2021]
https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/fact-sheets/nappy-rash [3] [Accessed 8/11/2021]
This page last reviewed 08 November 2021.
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Links
[1] https://www.plunket.org.nz/caring-for-your-child/hygiene-and-daily-care/poos-nappies-and-toilet/nappies-and-nappy-rash/
[2] https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Nappy_rash/
[3] https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/fact-sheets/nappy-rash
[4] https://kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fkidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F117%3Flanguage%3Dzh-hant