Nappy rash is an area of irritated skin found in the nappy region of babies and young children
. The skin will appear red and inflamed; it may be dry or moist and can appear shiny and a bit spotty. Around a third of new babies suffer from some form of nappy rash, which usually develops between 9 and 12 months of age but can occur earlier.
Normal nappy rash is caused by prolonged contact with wee and poo in a nappy. However good the nappy is, the presence of some moisture is inevitable and this can cause irritation on delicate skin. Your baby's poo and wee combined create a substance called ammonia which irritates your baby's skin and makes it sore and inflamed. Often it is the combination of poo and wee which irritates the skin the worst! So if your little one is poorly with a tummy upset and diarrhoea, her skin is more susceptible to becoming inflamed and irritated and will need to be watched closely.
Most nappy rashes are mild and can be effectively treated at home. Although the most common type of nappy rash occurs because the skin has been left exposed to poo and wee for too long, there are other types. Fungal nappy rash is a form of thrush that shows up as tiny red spots and may cause your babys genitals to appear quite swollen. It will need to be treated with an anti-fungal cream prescribed by a doctor.
Bacterial nappy rash shows as infected spots or pimples and can be accompanied by a fever. It should also be checked out by a doctor as it may need to be treated with antibiotics. In rare cases, your baby's nappy rash may be caused by an underlying condition such as eczema or even an allergic reaction, but your GP can confirm this for you.