Discover the causes, prevention tips, and effective treatments for nappy rash. Get helpful information and advice on Meri Sehat.

Nappy Rash 101

Medilink Consultant clinic

Online Consultation

ZAKA CLINIC GULBERG LAHORE

Saad Ullah Siddiqui

Introduction

If your little champ could speak, they would probably tell you that diaper rash is a normal part of their life. This is confirmed by statistics, wherein approximately 25% of infants using diapers get diaper rash<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. 1 in every 4 babies and toddlers wearing a nappy has a nappy rash. Although it does not generally develop in all infants, all babies can acquire nappy rash.

So, yes, it can be upsetting for both you and your child, but rest assured that it&rsquo;s something your child will quickly grow out of. And it&rsquo;s not solely your fault &ndash; at least, not if you&rsquo;re changing the nappy on time and keeping the skin well-hydrated and supple.&nbsp;

There are so many reasons your baby can develop a rash; so much so that even the skin specialists learn something new about it every year. To make matters worse, there are multiple types of diaper rash that can occur at the same time and make it more complicated for you to deal with. 
&nbsp;

<h5>What Is A Diaper Rash?&nbsp;</h5>

A diaper rash is generally defined as skin irritation inside the diaper. It can express itself in various ways, ranging from minor to severe. It&rsquo;s often described as flat pink spots that appear in the form of either raised lumps, intense red patches, or bleeding skin. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Is Nappy Rash Painful For Your Baby?</h5>

If your child has a mild case, it means it will largely be a painless experience for them. However, a severe case of nappy rash will be painful for your infant. 
&nbsp;

Understanding Nappy Rash

It is categorized depending on the cause of the rash<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>:

<ul>
	<li>Irritant contact dermatitis usually occurs when your baby&rsquo;s skin is irritated by something touching it.</li>
	<li>Occasionally, your newborn can have an allergic reaction to a product you applied to their skin. This kind of rash tends to appear the first time you use a new product and hence patch testing is always recommended.</li>
	<li>Candida albicans is a kind of yeast (fungus) that resides inside the gut. It is also found in feces and can cause a rash if left for an extended time.</li>
	<li>S. aureus is the most common cause of bacterial diaper rash.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Another form of bacterial diaper rash occurs due to S. pyogenes. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Make sure you check your young one&rsquo;s buttocks, thighs, and genitals (also called the diaper area) for these signs of a nappy rash every time you take them to a loo or change their clothes<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>:

<ul>
	<li>Skin inflammation in the diaper area (buttocks, thighs, and genitals)</li>
	<li>Itchy, irritated, and sensitive skin in the diaper area</li>
	<li>Sores around the diaper area</li>
	<li>Discomfort, fussiness, or weeping, particularly while changing diapers&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Note: If you see any of the signs above, consult your pediatrician immediately.

&nbsp;

The symptoms of a nappy rash are usually indicative of the cause and they vary from one child to the next. For instance, if your child&rsquo;s skin in the diaper area appears red and shiny, it&rsquo;s likely to be a contact diaper dermatitis. If there are patches just outside the diaper area and the folds of the thighs seem affected, too, then it&rsquo;s likely to be candida diaper dermatitis.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Your child is can develop a nappy rash if they are:

<ul>
	<li>Between the ages of 4 and 10 months&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Suffering from a cold or another ailment</li>
	<li>Taking antibiotics</li>
	<li>Starting to consume solid foods</li>
	<li>Beginning to sleep through the night&nbsp; 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Not all nappies cause rash and there are a number of factors that can lead to a nappy rash:

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Leaving On Damp Diapers For Too Long</li>
</ul>

Remember, your infant&rsquo;s skin is sensitive. If you leave a damp or soiled diaper on for an extended period of time, whatever the circumstances may be, then your kid will develop a rash. Also, if your baby is experiencing frequent bowel movements or diarrhea, they will automatically be more prone to diaper rash, which means you need to be extra careful.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Using A New Product</li>
</ul>

Any new brand or any new product you expose your baby&rsquo;s skin to has an equal chance of causing nappy rash. For e.g., baby wipes, nappies, soap, bleach, clothes softener, or reusable nappies can cause a reaction. Moreover, certain ingredients in powders, lotions, and oils that you apply to your baby&rsquo;s skin can cause or worsen the condition.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Developing An Infection</li>
</ul>

What starts as a minor infection can quickly spread to the surrounding skin. The region covered by your baby&rsquo;s diaper is the most susceptible because it&#39;s warm and damp, which makes it an ideal reproducing ground for bacteria and yeast.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Chafing Or Rubbing</li>
</ul>

Making your infant wear over-fitted nappies and/or clothes that rub against the skin can cause a rash.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Introducing New Foods</li>
</ul>

The composition of your baby&#39;s stool will naturally change when they begin to consume solid meals. No need to worry about that. What does warrant your attention is matching the frequency of diaper change with that of your infant&rsquo;s feces.

If your newborn is on breastfeed and still develops a diaper rash, it can be due to something you ate.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Having Sensitive Skin</li>
</ul>

Some babies have extremely sensitive skin because of conditions like atopic dermatitis (eczema) or seborrheic dermatitis. Make sure to get your little one treated by a dermatologist as they will be more prone to developing a diaper rash. Atopic dermatitis can even cause inflamed skin in regions that are not covered by a diaper.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Using Antibiotics</li>
</ul>

Since antibiotics can destroy microorganisms that control yeast development, they are likely to cause a nappy rash. The use of antibiotics also increases the likelihood of diarrhea. If you&rsquo;re taking antibiotics and, at the same time, breastfeeding your newborn, you need to be aware of the possibility of a diaper rash. Likewise, if your baby is on antibiotic treatment for some other infection, then their nappy rash can be due to those meds, too.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Pooping Too Much&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Babies who have frequent bowel movements or diarrhea tend to have more diaper rash incidents as compared to those who don&rsquo;t. Occasionally, it can be caused by microbial-affected bowel movements as well. Next time you feel as if it&rsquo;s too much poop &ndash; get ready! 
&nbsp;

It is crucial to thoroughly clean your infant whether or not they have wet themselves or pooped. If your baby&#39;s nappy is dirty, use it first to clean off most of the poop from their bottom. Then, remove the remaining and thoroughly clean your infant using cotton wool and simple warm water (or baby wipes).

&nbsp;

<ol>
	<li>Clean the diaper area gently but thoroughly, paying particular attention to the skin creases.</li>
	<li>If it&rsquo;s a girl, wash her diaper area from the front to the back. This will prevent bacterial spread from the rectum to the urethra.</li>
	<li>In the case of boys, clean their testicles (balls) and penis, but do not pull their foreskin.</li>
	<li>Allow your infant to lie on the changing mat without a nappy for some time if possible. Wearing a nappy all the time increases the likelihood of a nappy rash.</li>
	<li>If you&#39;re using disposable nappies, avoid getting water or cream on the sticky tabs because they won&#39;t stick if you do, increasing the chances of a leak.</li>
	<li>If you&#39;re using cloth nappies, place them in a nappy liner before fastening the nappy. Fit it around the waist and legs.</li>
	<li>While you&#39;re changing your baby&#39;s diaper, talk to them. Making silly faces, smiling, and laughing with your infant strengthen your bond and aids in their growth.</li>
	<li>Try not to be disgusted by what&#39;s in their nappy. You don&#39;t want your infant to learn that pooping is nasty or negative. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

If the rash persists, that’s a red flag; it’s an infection and you need to immediately take your child to the doctor. If the rash looks bright red, with white or red bumps spreading into the folds of the skin, that’s another red flag of an infection. As advised by your doctor, treat it before it spreads to your baby’s tummy or up his or her back.

Yes, a severe nappy rash can also cause fever<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. A temperature of around 38 &deg;C or higher along with lethargy and bleeding is worrisome<a href="#accordion">[7]</a>. A bacterial infection should not be taken lightly. Your baby needs to be treated promptly in this case by a trained professional.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

If your infant develops a nappy rash, it can generally be treated at home as well. If the rash doesn&rsquo;t seem to be bothering your infant, you can ask your doctor to suggest a barrier cream that you can apply a thin coating of during each nappy change. This will help protect their skin and also curb the infection from spreading.&nbsp;

Ideally, a nappy cream should be applied first after drying. Allow some minutes to lapse before you apply the barrier cream, a zinc cream, or petroleum jelly like Vaseline.&nbsp; Do not use any OTC (over-the-counter) at your discretion; always follow your doctor&#39;s advice on whether or not you should use a barrier cream.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Additionally, to protect your baby&#39;s skin, make sure you:

<ul>
	<li>Change damp or dirty nappies as soon as possible.</li>
	<li>Wipe the entire nappy area softly yet thoroughly from front to back using water or use baby wipes that are fragrance-free and alcohol-free.</li>
	<li>Bathe your infant at least once a day, but no more than twice a day, as that can cause their skin to dry up.</li>
	<li>Dry your baby delicately after bathing them &ndash; avoid aggressive rubbing.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Lay your infant on a clean towel and keep them nappy-free for as long and as frequently as possible to allow fresh air to reach their skin.</li>
	<li>Avoid using bubble baths, soap, or lotions.</li>
	<li>Avoid talcum powder since it contains substances that can irritate your infant&#39;s skin.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Check that your baby&#39;s nappy fits properly; too tight means skin irritation and too loose implies leakage, both of these conditions will cause nappy rashes.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

If you follow these instructions, the nappy rash will subside in around 3 days.&nbsp; It is typical for babies to develop skin rashes, but you must consult a pediatrician as they can help you differentiate between a bit of irritation and a condition that requires medical attention. 
&nbsp;

Conclusion

Although nappy rashes are not difficult to treat, they can get severe if left untreated. It is essential to continuously evaluate your baby&#39;s physiological health in order to detect any potentially complex issues as soon as possible. Diaper rash typically goes away with simple home remedies like air drying, frequent diaper changes, and ointment. However, it&rsquo;s important to consult your local healthcare provider regarding it before the rash gets any worse. 
&nbsp;

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Diaper rash is irritated skin (dermatitis) that appears as inflamed regions on your baby&#39;s bottom.</li>
	<li>It is commonly associated with damp or infrequently changed diapers, skin irritation, and chafing.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>It primarily affects infants, although anyone who uses a diaper on a daily basis is susceptible.</li>
	<li>Prevention and treatment alternatives include changing diapers more frequently, utilizing disposable diapers, and applying a barrier cream (such as zinc and cod liver oil or zinc and castor oil creams) to the sore region.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>If the nappy rash does not improve after a few days or if it extends to the belly, consult your doctor for guidance and treatment. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>