Who gets Nappy Rash?
Nappy rash is very common. Urine which comes into contact with babies' skin, irritates and can result in a painful, angry, inflamed area of damaged skin. Babies' skin is also much thinner (it doesn't reach adult thickness until 3 years of age), and more delicate than adult skin, making it more susceptible to infection.
When the skin is damaged by irritants it is more likely that candida (a yeast which lives naturally on the skin) will overgrow, causing candidal nappy rash. Candidal nappy rash is a common problem which is identified in up to 75% of cases of nappy rash that last three days or more.
How to prevent Nappy Rash
Here is some helpful advice on nappy rash:
Do's
- Allowing your baby to move around without a nappy on for as long as possible i.e. after a bath in a warm room.
- Change nappies regularly
- Cleanse and dry the skin thoroughly especially the skin folds as candidal infections are particularly found in these areas.
- Dry your baby's skin gently by patting rather than rubbing as this could damage the skin, worsen their nappy rash and make it prone to infection.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after changing nappies. Ensure you dispose of nappies hygienically.
Don'ts
- Don't use plastic pants as this can trap moisture against your baby's skin.
- Avoid strong detergent on terry nappies and rinse thoroughly. If you are worried consult a pharmacist or doctor.
How does the infection occur?
Nappy rash has many causes including:
- the nappy rubbing against the skin - this becomes a greater problem as your baby becomes more mobile.
- chemical irritants such as washing detergents from terry nappies
- long periods spent in a soiled nappy
- wet nappies provide a moist, warm area which allows candida, a naturally occuring yeast to develop and spread.
- bacteria from faeces reacting with urine to produce ammonia (an irritant).
- teething because the baby is more likely to suffer with nappy rash due to reduced immunity, which increases the likelihood of candidal overgrowth
- changing your baby's diet (moving from breast feeding to bottle or solids)
- antibiotics which can upset the natural balance of the body resulting in a bout of candidal nappy rash
How do I know if my baby has got nappy rash?
The common signs and symptoms of nappy rash are:
- Mild: a slight redness around the genitals and bottom.
- Severe: characterised by spotty, moist and broken skin.
- Candidal Nappy Rash: may look more severe and could be bright red particularly found in the skin folds around the groin and tops of the thighs. Therefore a larger baby may suffer more as they have more skin folds.
How to treat nappy rash
What should I do if my baby gets nappy rash?
Although most babies suffer from nappy rash, it is a very distressing condition which can result in much frustration for you. However there are plenty of effective ways to get rid of and prevent nappy rash. As mentioned earlier, there are different types of nappy rash:
Mild nappy rash
- This can be treated with mild creams specifically designed for nappy rash.
Candidal nappy rash
- Up to 75% of incidents of nappy rash lasting more than 3 days can be caused by a candidal infection.
- As candidal nappy rash is a fungal infection it is important that it is treated with an anti- fungal product such as Canesten cream.
- Canesten Cream treats the infection and therefore reduces the physical and emotional stress to you and your baby.
As with all medication, though, don't forget to read the label as this gives important information.
Important!
If your baby's nappy rash does not clear up or if it worsens, it is important that you discuss it with
your pharmacist, Health Visitor or Doctor. All these healthcare professionals can offer advice to
help with your baby's nappy rash and if necessary your doctor can prescribe an appropriate
treatment to clear the rash.