Nappy Rash: The Best Approach to Treat It

Crying baby being treated for nappy rash

Area

Nappy Rash

Key Takeaways

  • Common Condition: Nappy rash is a frequent skin condition in children under two, presenting as red, raw, itchy, and sore skin in the nappy area.
  • Multiple Causes: While primarily caused by prolonged contact with urine or faeces, nappy rash can also stem from nappy friction or irritation from soap/alcohol-based wipes.
  • Effective Creams: The ideal nappy cream offers a balance of barrier protection (like zinc-based creams) and skin repair (like panthenol-containing creams), in a gently spreadable formula for fast recovery.

Dealing with nappy rash can be tough for both baby and parent. In this expert commentary, Amit Saha, Head of Technical & Innovation at Dermal Therapy, shares valuable insights on effectively treating this common condition.

Nappy rash is a common skin condition in children under two. It is usually characterised by red, raw skin in the nappy area which is itchy and sore, making babies irritated and unsettled.

While the main cause of nappy rash is prolonged contact time with urine or faeces on the skin, it can also be caused by a nappy rubbing against skin, soap, or alcohol-based wipes.

Usually, frequent changing of the nappy to keep the area dry should resolve a mild rash, but your pharmacist’s advice may be necessary if the symptoms don’t improve in a day or two.

When picking the right nappy cream, both barrier and repair properties are equally important to ensure a speedy recovery. Usually zinc-based creams are very good for providing a barrier, while panthenol-containing creams ensure quick repair of the irritated skin.

A gently spreadable product can also help to ensure that the affected area is not further aggravated. A combination approach with the optimum balance between barrier and repair in a spreadable cream is the key to fast recovery.

Dermal Therapy Little Bodies Nappy Balm

Keep your baby’s skin feeling smooth and comfortable with Dermal Therapy Little Bodies Nappy Balm, a 2-in-1 formula designed to protect and repair delicate skin.

  • Dual Action Formula: Contains 15.4% Zinc Oxide to create a protective barrier and 5% Panthenol to effectively soothe, moisturise, and repair irritated skin.
  • Gentle & Safe: Free from alcohol, artificial colorants, nut oils, artificial fragrances, SLS, and parabens, ensuring it won’t sting sensitive skin.
  • Easy Application: This non-greasy formula is highly spreadable, making nappy changes fuss-free and ensuring the affected area isn’t further aggravated.

Discover why dermatologists like Robyn Kennedy recommend Little Bodies Nappy Balm in this helpful guide. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The main cause of nappy rash is prolonged contact with urine or faeces on the skin. Other contributing factors can include friction from the nappy rubbing against the skin, or irritation from soaps or alcohol-based wipes.

Frequent nappy changes to keep the area dry often resolves the symptoms. However, if symptoms don’t improve within a day or two, it’s advisable to seek advice from your pharmacist.

A nappy cream should offer both barrier properties (like those found in Zinc-based creams) to protect the skin and repair properties (such as Panthenol) to promote quick healing of irritated skin. A gently spreadable formula is also important to avoid further irritation.

If the nappy rash symptoms do not improve within a day or two of implementing frequent nappy changes and using an appropriate cream, it’s recommended to consult your pharmacist for further advice.

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