Nappy Rash

Symptoms of nappy rash

Symptoms of nappy rash can include:

red or raw patches on your baby's bottom or the whole nappy area
spots, pimples, or blisters on your baby's bottom (spots can appear red or brown, but may be harder to see on brown and black skin)
scaly and dry skin
an itchy or painful bottom
your baby seeming uncomfortable or distressed

Things you can do to help with nappy rash

Nappy rash can be treated and prevented by following some simple advice.

Do

change wet or dirty nappies as soon as possible
keep the skin clean and dry - pat or rub the skin gently to dry it
leave nappies off when possible
use extra absorbent nappies
use dry nappy liners and change them often, if using reusable cloth nappies
make sure your baby's nappies fit properly
clean your baby's skin with water or fragrance-free and alcohol-free baby wipes
bath your baby daily (but not more than twice a day, as washing too much can make the skin dry out)

Don't

do not use soaps, baby lotion or bubble bath as they can irritate the skin
do not use talcum powder or antiseptic creams or lotions on nappy rash
do not put nappies on too tightly as it can irritate the skin
do not use plastic underwear or nappy covers over nappies

A pharmacist can help with nappy rash

If the rash is causing your baby discomfort, a pharmacist can recommend a nappy rash cream or medicine to treat it at home.

They may suggest using a thin layer of a barrier cream at each nappy change to protect the skin.

Find a pharmacy

When and where to get medical help

Most symptoms of nappy rash are not serious, but sometimes you'll need to get them checked.

See a health visitor or GP if:

your baby's nappy rash does not go away, gets worse or spreads to other areas
your baby has a high temperature
your baby seems very uncomfortable

Treatment for nappy rash

A GP may prescribe treatment if your baby is in a lot of discomfort or they think your baby might have an infection.

They may prescribe:

a steroid cream or ointment to help with redness and soreness
an antifungal cream, if they think your baby has a thrush infection
antibiotics, if they think your baby has a bacterial infection

Causes of nappy rash

It's normal for babies to sometimes get nappy rash.

It can be caused by:

your baby's skin being in contact with pee or poo for a long time
not cleaning the nappy area or changing the nappy often enough
the nappy rubbing against your baby's skin
an allergic reaction to soap, detergent or bubble bath
irritation from fragranced baby wipes or wipes containing alcohol
your baby having diarrhoea, or having a condition that makes them poo more often
some types of nappy made with materials that are not absorbent (do not easily soak up pee or poo), or not breathable
some types of medicines, such as antibiotics or laxatives (used to make it easier for your baby to poo)
thrush (a fungal infection)

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