{"id":1665,"date":"2023-02-21T14:02:47","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T14:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.organicmonkey.co.uk\/?page_id=1665"},"modified":"2023-02-21T16:50:42","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T16:50:42","slug":"nappy-rash-help","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.organicmonkey.co.uk\/advice\/nappy-rash-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Nappy Rash: How to help your little monkey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is nappy rash?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nappy rash affects the skin inside the nappy area, which will appear red, sore and inflamed possibly with small blisters or pimples. It is very common and most babies will experience it at some point. It is caused by the skin being in prolonged contact with wetness inside the nappy, caused by moisture from wee and poo. It seems to be most common in babies aged between eight months and one year, possibly because this is when they are consuming more solid foods which may alter the pH of their urine, making it more acidic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uncomfortable as it is, nappy rash is usually easily treated at home and should clear up after a few days. However, if it is left untreated the skin may become infected by bacteria, leading to yellow pimples or oozing patches on the skin and possibly a fever. It could also develop into thrush, a yeast infection which can be common if baby has had a course of antibiotics which kill off the beneficial bacteria which keep naturally-occuring yeasts under control. For this reason it is best to treat nappy rash early on and to act as soon as you see a sore bottom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can I treat it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep your baby’s bottom completely clean and dry, and change nappies frequently and certainly as soon as you think they have done a wee or poo. It is advisable to steer clear of baby wipes which often contain alcohol, preservatives and other chemicals which may irritate sore skin. Instead, use plain water and cotton wool to thoroughly clean your baby’s bottom, and pat the skin dry with a clean muslin or cloth. Once baby’s skin is completely dry, apply a thin layer of barrier cream or balm  before putting on a clean nappy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By far the quickest way to speed the healing of nappy rash is to allow your baby to have as much nappy-free time as possible, exposing the skin to the air. After cleaning, but before applying any barrier creams, let your little one kick about on a towel, or walk or crawl around with their skin exposed from the waist down. Obviously, accidents will happen, so this may be easier if you can be in a room without carpet or outside in the garden. Another technique is to loosely tie a large muslin \u201cTarzan-style\u201d around baby’s hips, which will serve to catch some accidents but will allow the skin to breathe more than being in a nappy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nappy rash should begin to clear up and start to heal after three or four days. If you have not seen any improvement in this time, or you suspect a secondary infection, it would be advisable to see your Health Visitor or GP for advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can I prevent nappy rash?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n