How to deal with nappy rash

Nappy rash is officially called intertrigo. It consists of red or reddened patches of skin which are not sufficiently ventilated and become damp. It typically affects small babies, but can also often affect overweight people who get a rash in their skin folds. In babies, nappy rash usually occurs in the groin, on their bottoms, under their arms or below the neck.

Relieve your baby of the unpleasant symptoms of nappy rash and discover some ways to get rid of nappy rash and how best to prevent it!

Lots of mums think that they can easily recognise a baby with nappy rash. In their heads they have a fixed idea of ugly red patches on the skin. The truth is that any kind of redness isn’t normal. Even slightly red skin constitutes nappy rash, so if you’re not sure if your baby has it, compare the colour of the affected area with the skin on their fingers, for example.

Nappy rash most commonly occurs as a result of poorly ventilated skin. If you use disposable nappies, change them regularly, ideally straight after their first wee. Don’t wipe a dirty bottom with wet wipes, but run it under lukewarm water. And before you put a fresh nappy on, always let their skin breathe and gently dry it. Even slightly damp skin can quickly get sore.

If you use cloth nappies, wash them regularly with baby, hypoallergic, fragrance-free detergent.

Another cause of nappy rash can be inappropriate nappy size. Does your child perhaps need bigger nappies? Don’t just follow the recommended weight on the packaging, but use your own judgement. That also applies to clothes, where looser fits are much more breathable.

Synthetic materials, which make clothes elasticated, also contribute to nappy rash. Aim for mainly cotton or linen clothes which are only about 5% elastane.

As a rule, babies can’t avoid nappy rash when they have diarrhoea. Instead, it is important to take extra care that the area is kept hygienic and rinsed after every nappy change and that cream is regularly applied.

There is no shame in having a baby with nappy rash; it can happen to anyone. The shame would be in ignoring the problem. What should you do if you go to change your baby and you find that they have nappy rash?

1. Wash your baby gently but thoroughly with lukewarm water and, if need be, with a fragrance-free soap. You could add chamomile or calendula oil to the bath, which will help soothe their skin. If you have dried herbs at home, simply soak them for a couple of minutes before adding them to the bath.

2. Then gently but thoroughly pat the skin dry with a cotton or bamboo nappy. Although bamboo and muslin nappies are more expensive, they are much softer and are kinder to the skin.

3. Furthermore, treat the reddened area with anappy rash ointment. You might have to try more than one of these approaches until you find out what works for your baby. We do not recommend baby talcum power because of the ongoing lawsuits related to its possible carcinogenic content. Lots of mums also mention that it tends to form lumps in between skin folds.

4. Now the key moment! Don’t put the nappy on the baby right away, but leave them to toddle about without it for as long as possible. If it’s cold, put some socks and a t-shirt on them and lay a light blanket over them. No matter how breathable nappies are these days, skin can always breathe better without them on.

It usually takes two days to get rid of nappy rash. The main thing is to keep their skin dry, clean and well-ventilated. If nappy rash persists for longer than a week, visit your doctor. It could be that the rash is a yeast rash, which can be relieved with a prescription ointment.