Baby nappy rash
Nappy rash can range from a mild redness to an inflamed area of broken skin and puss-filled spots and is more common in bottle-fed babies.
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If left for any length of time in a nappy or on the skin, urine is broken down to ammonia by bacteria from the baby's stools. Ammonia is an irritant: it burns the skin and results in nappy rash.
The bacteria that produce nappy rash thrive in an alkaline medium. The stools of bottle-fed babies are alkaline, unlike those of breast-fed babies that are acid. For this reason, bottle-fed babies are more prone to nappy rash.
To minimize the possibility of your baby suffering from nappy rash:
- Change your baby's nappy as often as necessary; never leave him lying in a wet or soiled nappy.
- Put a one-way disposable nappy liner next to your baby's skin. This allows urine to pass straight through to the nappy below, so keeps the skin dry.
- Leave your baby's bottom open to the air whenever you can. Just slide a nappy under his bottom to catch any mess.
- Pay particular attention to washing fabric nappies. Make sure they are well rinsed to remove all the ammonia.
- At the first hint of nappy rash stop using plastic pants. These help to keep the urine close to the skin and promote the formation of ammonia.
- At the first sign of broken skin start using a special cream for the prevention of nappy rash.
- Don't wash your baby's bottom with soap and water. They dehydrate the skin and can cause it to become cracked.
- Don't use talcum powder on a baby. Powder can become caked and irritating in the skin creases, which increases the risk of nappy rash.
Treating nappy rash
- Change the nappy more frequently.
- At night, put a disposable pad inside a resusable nappy for extra absorbency. This is especially useful for older babies who are sleeping through the night and who will therefore not be changed from evening until morning.
- Do not apply barrier creams when changing your baby's nappy as this prevents air getting to the skin. Although it also keeps the skin dry, it is more important that the skin be well aired when your baby has nappy rash.
Nappy rash chart
| Appearance | Cause | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Redness and broken skin in the leg folds. | Inadequate drying after bathing. | Meticulous and thorough drying. Do not use powder. |
| Rash that starts around the genitals rather than the anus. Strong smell of ammonia. | Ammonia dermatitis. | General nappy rash treatment, above. If this doesn’t work, seek medical advice. |
| Spotty rash all over the genitals, bottom, groin and thighs, which eventually leads to thick and wrinkled skin. | Extreme form of ammonia dermatitis. | Seek medical advice if rash persists after trying general treatment, above, first. |
| Rash that starts around the anus and moves on to the buttocks. | Thrush. | Get medical advice. You will probably be given nystatin cream and medicine. |
| Brownish-red scaly rash on the genitals and buttocks and anywhere the skin is greasy. | Seborrhoeic dermatitis. | Ointment for rash, prescribed by your doctor. You might also get a special lotion if the scalp is very scaly and sore. |
| Small blisters all over the nappy area. | Heat rash. | Don’t use plastic pants, and leave off the nappy as much as possible. |
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
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