What is diaper rash?

Diaper rash is one of the most common skin conditions of your baby’s early life. It is an irritation of the skin anywhere in the diaper area. While it might be sore for your baby, the good news is that it is rarely serious.

Diaper rash most often affects your baby’s sensitive skin when there is prolonged contact with urine or stools. 

Your baby’s bottom may have red patches or the whole area may be red. The skin may look sore and can feel hot to touch. Read more about spotting diaper rash below.

If your baby is suffering from diaper rash, you can use Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream to soothe and treat your baby’s skin. The very best way to deal with diaper rash however is to prevent your baby from getting it in the first place. 

 

These steps will help:

  1. Change wet or soiled diapers as soon as possible. Young babies need changing as many as ten to twelve times a day, whilst older babies at least six to eight times
  2. Ensure you clean the whole diaper area thoroughly using plain water or baby wipes, wiping front to back
  3. Lie your baby on a towel and leave the diaper off for as long and as often as you can in order to let fresh air get to the skin
  4. Use a barrier cream
  5. If your baby does get diaper rash you can treat it with Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream.

 

If you are using a diaper rash cream and the rash remains or your baby develops a persistent bright red, moist rash with white or red pimples, which spreads to the folds of the skin, they may have a thrush infection. You will need to use an anti-fungal cream, available either from the pharmacist or on prescription from your doctor. Ask your pharmacist or health visitor for advice.

Occasionally diaper rash can become persistent or can be related to other skin conditions like eczema. If you are at all worried, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor or health visitor.