What you need to know about nappy rash as a parent
It is practically normal for a baby to develop a rash either around the genital, thigh or the buttocks. Well, this rash is called a nappy rash and should not be a reason to alarm a parent when the child is still young. It is easily treatable but it should be quickly spotted and then dealt with to avoid it getting worse.
For those who have not seen one, it will be easily spotted as it appears as an inflamed red spot where there is contact with the baby’s nappy. What really causes the rash? Well the rash is not caused by the nappy itself but it is when the nappy becomes moist from the baby’s urine and the poo. When the baby has a case of diarrhoea, the chances of getting a rash will be high since the loose stool will spread much further than usual thus contacting larger surfaces.
A thing to note is that the rash will appear even if you use a disposable nappy or a washable nappy. Also even if you use a very absorbent diaper, it will be bound to leave some moisture on the baby’s tender skin.
Another cause of the nappy rash (or baby rød numse udslæt in Danish) is an allergic reaction to a product that has touched the baby’s skin. The different product could be a different brand of baby wipes or even a new diaper.
The good thing about a nappy rash is that it is easily treatable either by doing it yourself or consulting a doctor. Some of the ways that you can treat this rash are:
- The best and most natural way is to wash the baby at least once a day and you could also use a little baby cleanser while washing the baby.
- The frequent changing of the baby’s nappy is very advisable as it will ensure that the baby is kept dry most of the time. Remember, it is the moist nappy that will cause a nappy rash.
- Clean the baby’s buttocks using the various baby wipes or a moisturising soap and then wash it off using plain water and dry the skin.
- You could also let the baby stay without a nappy for a while to allow some air to flow through. This can be done by going outside with the baby when it is warm enough or even putting the baby in a warm room and letting it move about if it can. After that , you may want to apply some cream (in Danish that’s called Creme til tør og rød hud )or lotion, if you want your baby’s bottom to heal faster.
Healing will normally take a few days, after which if it has not cleared up, you should visit the doctor for professional advice. It is said that prevention is better than cure and this can come in handy to prevent the child from developing a nappy rash. This can be done by making sure that the baby is always dry. By regularly changing the baby’s nappy and cleaning the poo every time with a baby wipe. This will ensure that there is no moisture left if a new nappy is put on. Also frequently let the baby roam around without nappies to make sure that there is free circulation of air for better dryness.
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