Ten things you need to know about nappy rash

Almost all babies get sore, red skin on their bums sometimes, but luckily this is easily fixed

APPLY A THIN LAYER OF BUM CREAM THAT WILL PROTECT YOUR BABY’S SKIN WHILE ALLOWING THE NAPPY TO DO ITS JOB PROPERLY

1 IT’S EASY TO SPOT If you notice red, inflamed and irritated skin in your baby’s nappy area, you’re looking at contact nappy rash. Sometimes, in severe cases, the skin may even peel off or blister.

2 IT’S CAUSED BY THE CONTENTS OF YOUR BABY’S NAPPY Your baby’s skin is super sensitive. When the skin of her bottom comes into contact with urine or stools it can get aggravated, particularly if she’s left in a dirty nappy for a bit too long. This is because stools contain digesting enzymes that can break down baby’s skin. The same happens with ammonia, a component of urine.

3 SOMETIMES IT’S ON MORE AREAS THAN JUST HER BUM Nappies sometimes leak – we’ve all been victims of this runny mess! This means that any part of your baby’s skin that comes into contact with the leaky nappy contents is vulnerable to nappy rash too. While it’s important not to fasten your baby’s nappy too tightly, try to make sure that it’s tight enough to prevent a leak.

4 CHANGING THE NAPPY OFTEN WON’T GET RID OF IT Once that nappy rash appears, no amount of nappy changing will make it go away. While regular nappy changing helps to prevent nappy rash, it won’t treat it. For that, you need a little something else – a cream or ointment.

5 WET WIPES CAN MAKE IT WORSE The chemicals that some wet wipes contain may just irritate your baby’s already red and inflamed skin further. Rather stick to wiping your baby’s bottom with cotton wool balls dipped in cooled, boiled water until the rash clears up.

6 A BIT OF AIR HELPS Let your baby spend some time without a nappy on every day. The fresh air on her skin helps to dry out the rash and gives the skin in that area a bit of a break from being in contact with moisture (even sweat can aggravate a rash once it’s set in).

7 THERE’S PREVENTION AND THERE’S THE CURE Using a barrier cream is a good preventative measure. Use it before any nappy rash appears as it helps to form a protective layer between your baby’s skin and the contents of the nappy. Use bum creams with medicinal additives to treat existing nappy rash symptoms.

8 TOO MUCH BUM CREAM CAN MAKE IT WORSE Applying too much bum cream can leave a film of cream behind on your baby’s nappy. This decreases the nappy’s efficiency in absorbing the wetness and in so doing, increases the chances of a nappy rash. Rather apply a thin layer of bum cream that will still protect your baby’s skin while allowing the nappy to do its job properly.

9 IT MIGHT NOT BE A NAPPY RASH There are other causes of red, inflamed skin in the nappy area, including eczema and thrush. If you think it might be something other than a nappy rash, rather get it checked out by a doctor.

10 SOMETIMES IT NEEDS SOMETHING A LITTLE STRONGER If you’ve used over-the-counter bum creams to no avail and the rash just keeps persisting, take your baby to the doctor, who will recommend a prescription ointment that is stronger or even diagnose an underlying issue. If the rash is coupled with a fever, take your baby to the doctor immediately as an infection may have set in.