Nappy rash is easily recognized. Your baby will have a red rash on the skin that is covered by the diaper and/or on the skin immediately surrounding the diaper. The rash may be minor, with a bit of redness, or can be more serious, with spots, blisters and raw skin.
Because the skin on your baby’s bottom is covered with the nappy, the skin is kept moist and its protective barrier can be broken down, causing redness and possibly sores. This is exacerbated by the ammonia in the urine which often makes the rash worse.
There are some things you can do to prevent diaper rash and remedies for a rash that has already set in.
Prevention
- Nappy changing should occur as soon as possible after your baby wets.
- Don’t put a new nappy on immediately. Let your baby’s skin get a chance to dry.
- Apply powder to your baby’s bum, groin and inner thighs before putting on a nappy.
- If using terry (re-usable) nappies, put them through an extra rinse cycle. Chemicals in detergents can be reactive to your baby’s sensitive skin.
- If using disposable nappies, watch for signs of reaction to the elastic bands in the nappy.
Remedies
- Allow your baby to sit or lie in a warm room with plenty of air movement to dry out the rash.
- Leave the nappy off for as long as possible between changes.
- Use an appropriate baby lotion or cream with an antiseptic barrier to cover the rash.
- If the rash is persistent or the skin is broken, consult with your paediatrician as medicated treatments may be necessary.
Nappy rash is very common, particularly among babies with sensitive skin or who are prone to sensitive skin. With a bit of proper care, you can keep the risk of nappy rash to a minimum. If your baby develops a rash, your paediatrician will be happy to advise you as to the best remedies available at the local chemist.
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