Nappy Rash
Nappy rash is simply inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) confined to the area covered by your baby’s nappy. The soreness can make your baby uncomfortable and irritable. Nappy rash may be caused by friction or chaffing, irritation by stale urine, or sometimes by a fungal infection. The sore skin then loses its natural protective barrier function and becomes open to infection. All babies who have faeces (poo) or urine (wee) held against their delicate skin within the warm, moist confines of a nappy are susceptible to nappy rash. Some babies are particularly prone to rashes whilst others are rarely affected. The reasons for this are unclear, but if your baby has a skin condition, such as eczema or a tendency to dry skin, this may put them at greater risk. Dry skin has less resistance to irritation and is more vulnerable to damage.
Nappy rashes result from the effects of:
Faeces
– Faeces contain irritating enzymes, bacteria and Candida albicans (the yeast that causes thrush). The presence of faeces also increases the skin’s normally slightly acidic pH, making it more susceptible to damage.Urine
– Faecal enzymes turn urine into ammonia, a harmful (and smelly) chemical that attacks the skin.Wetness
– Wetness from urine and faeces, or from using nappies and creams that prevent moisture evaporating can cause irritation. Wet skin eventually becomes macerated and damaged.Friction
– Chafing from the nappy and between skin folds can damage delicate skin. So can rough handling and rubbing.Chemicals
– Harsh soaps, creams and lotions irritate some babies. They can strip the skin of its protective barrier making it dry and itchy and increase the skin’s pH.Allergies
- Reactions to chemicals, nappy components or detergents used to launder cloth nappies can also occur.Raised temperature
– Warmth beneath the nappy may cause inflammation.Yeast
– The warm, moist nappy provides an ideal place for Candida albicans to grow and infect the skin.
How will I know if an infant has nappy rash?
The skin’s appearance and the location of the rash are very characteristic. The skin in the nappy area will be reddened, chapped and sometimes spotty. If the rash affects other parts of the body, it is not nappy rash.
What else could it be?
An angry red nappy rash that spreads away from the nappy area could mean your baby has a fungal infection. In this case, the red area may also have small white spots. In this situation a bacterial infection may also occur, causing blisters that release pus.
Preventing nappy rash
Leaving a baby in a soiled or wet nappy inevitably leads to nappy rash. To avoid this:
- Keep the skin clean and dry, and change nappies promptly when soiled.
- Clean the nappy area thoroughly with warm water, a drop of mild soap or lotion and cotton wool or a water based wipe. Rinse away any soap thoroughly. Alternatively, use hypoallergenic baby wipes, such as E45 Baby Wipes, to gently cleanse the skin. These are convenient to use and will not irritate the skin.
- Avoid using strong or scented soaps and toiletries, alcohol wipes and talc.
- Dry the nappy area thoroughly using cotton wool or a clean dry towel. Gently pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it.
- Expose the skin to the air as much as possible by leaving the nappy off.
- Apply a suitable oil-free nappy cream, such as E45 Nappy Cream, to reduce contact with irritants and help restore the skin’s natural pH.
- Avoid using plastic pants and nappy materials that do not allow air to circulate.
- Use non-biological washing powders to launder reusable nappies and rinse them thoroughly.
If you are doing all of the above and a rash still occurs, it is worth discussing skin care with your health visitor or doctor, especially if there are skin problems such as eczema in the family. They may recommend daily use of emollients to keep your baby’s skin in good condition and regular use of a soothing nappy cream to help prevent a rash.
E45 Nappy Cream is the only nappy cream to create a breathable skin barrier and help fight causes of nappy rash with a unique patented anti-enzyme formula
E45 Nappy Cream contains a clinically proven, unique patented anti-enzyme formula that goes to work immediately to soothe and care while neutralising irritants that can cause the vicious nappy rash cycle to occur:
- Breathable skin barrier action protects against infection by sealing out moisture, while allowing the skin to breathe
- Unique anti-enzyme formula – found only in E45 Nappy Cream – helps to neutralise irritants that can trigger nappy rash and restore skin to a healthy pH level within 30 minutes of application to reduce skin irritation
- The addition of panthenol helps further soothe irritated skin and encourage the skin’s own renewal process
E45 Nappy Cream is dermatologist and paediatrician approved and is hypoallergenic and perfume free so it is kind enough for even new born skin.
How to treat nappy rash:
Nearly all infants develop a rash at some stage. If a rash does occur, you will need to increase the frequency of nappy changing and skin cleansing and keep the nappy off for as long as possible. You should also apply a nappy cream such as E45 nappy cream that will help protect the skin from further irritation and encourage healing. The rash should disappear within a few days but if it fails to improve or the skin is broken or weeping, do seek advice from a doctor. Some infants are particularly susceptible however frequently their nappies are changed, but they all grow out of it when they stop wearing nappies.
As soon as a nappy rash develops you should:
- Try and change your baby’s nappy as often as possible
- Change the nappy before putting baby down after a feed, or to sleep.
- Try and let your baby spend as long as possible without a nappy on
- You can consider applying a thin layer of a barrier preparation to the affected area after every nappy change.
- If the rash is not settling after a few days, or is very raw and the skin broken, discuss with your health visitor, nurse, or doctor. You may need other treatments, which more specifically deal with infection.
