Sore red skin on a baby’s buttocks and groin, caused by long contact with ammonia in a wet nappy.
A common form of irritant contact dermatitis in the nappy area in babies. Wetting of the skin by urine, abrasion, and chemical changes due to faecal contamination all play a part. Good hygiene and use of disposable absorbent nappies have much reduced its incidence. An ointment containing a barrier, such as titanium dioxide, may help; other medications such as mild corticosteroids or antibiotics should be used very cautiously and only under the guidance of a doctor, as harmful effects may result especially from overuse.
A prevalent inflammatory skin condition found in infants, which results in discomfort and a reddish rash on the areas of the skin covered by a diaper.
The primary cause of nappy rash is typically irritation from urine or feces on the skin. This irritation is generally limited to the areas of direct contact between the skin and the soiled diaper; it doesn’t extend to the folds in the baby’s skin. The severity of nappy rash increases when diaper changes are infrequent, or if the nappy area isn’t cleaned diligently. Additionally, scented skincare products and certain laundry detergents utilized for washing cloth diapers can also contribute to the development of a rash.
Nappy rash might also arise from a fungal skin infection, such as candidiasis (thrush), or in rarer instances, due to a bacterial infection like impetigo. A rash prompted by an infection impacts the entire nappy region, encompassing even the folds in the baby’s skin.
The irritation caused by the rash can lead to a cranky baby. In more serious cases, the rash might develop into blisters.
When diapers are changed often and the impacted area is consistently cleansed and coated with a protective cream (like zinc and castor oil cream), nappy rash typically resolves within a few days. In more severe instances, a cream containing a gentle corticosteroid medication might be recommended to reduce inflammation. If the area becomes infected, oral or topical antibiotics, as well as antifungal drugs, might be prescribed.