The best way to treat nappy rash is to avoid it, but most babies suffer nappy rash at some point, despite a parent’s best efforts to prevent it.
The most common cause is not changing the nappy often enough, resulting in prolonged contact between a baby’s bottom and a wet nappy.
Other causes include skin irritation from fragrances, allergies from products such as washing powder, the nappy rubbing against the skin or even because of thrush.
Whatever the cause, it can cause distress for parent and baby and causes discomfort for baby. So what can a parent do to help clear up nappy rash when it appears?
Change Nappies Frequently
A baby’s skin is about 20% thinner than adult skin. Their delicate skin can therefore absorb more water, making babies susceptible to nappy rash.
Changing nappies often can help prevent nappy rash, but if your baby still suffers from it, frequent changing can also help clear up nappy rash.
Regular changing helps make sure their sensitive skin isn’t in contact with urine or faeces for too long, which can make nappy rash worse.
Avoid Alcohol and Fragrenced Wipes
As baby skin is thinner, it is also more susceptible to irritation from fragrances and alcohol.
Alcohol can be present in some wipes. It can dry out the skin and make nappy rash worse. The best way to clean baby’s bottom is with warm water and cotton wool.
That isn’t always practical, so when choosing wipes, choose those that are both alcohol and fragrance free. Make sure that baby’s bottom is dry before putting on a clean nappy.
Let Baby go Au Naturel
Most parents worry what happens when a baby doesn’t have a nappy on – no-one wants to clean up number ones and number twos if they can avoid it.
But letting the air circulate around a baby’s bottom is a good way to help get rid of nappy rash. Let baby lie on a waterproof mat and enjoy the freedom.
It’s easy to clean after any accidents. How to get rid of nappy rash is a question that has plauged parents for years but this is something that can help.
Use Barrier Cream Sparringly
Barrier creams do just as the name suggests. They create a barrier between the delicate skin and urine and faeces. But using too much can have a detrimental effect rather than speeding up the healing process.
Instead, it can stop the nappy drawing moisture away from the skin and aggravate the nappy rash. So use a thin layer of barrier cream, rather than spreading a thick layer over baby’s bottom. Less is more with barrier creams.
Follow these tips at the first sign of nappy rash and in most cases, it will clear within a few days.
If it doesn’t show signs of clearing up within a few days and instead gets worse, seek medical attention.
Signs of infection such as white or red pimples spreading into the folds of a baby’s skin are cause for concern.
In those cases, seek advice from your pharmacist, health visitor or GP
