Description:

Nappy rash

Nappy rash is common in babies and can usually be treated at home.

Check if your baby has nappy rash

Symptoms of nappy rash can include:

red or raw patches on your baby’s bottom or the whole nappy area
skin that looks sore and feels hot to touch
scaly and dry skin
an itchy or painful bottom
your baby seeming uncomfortable or distressed
spots, pimples, or blisters on bottom (spots can appear red or brown, but may be less noticeable on brown and black skin)

Credit:

HOUIN / BSIP / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY: https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/615341/view

Things you can do to help with nappy rash

Nappy rash can be treated and prevented by following some simple advice.

Do

change wet or dirty nappies as soon as possible
keep the skin clean and dry – pat or rub the skin gently to dry it
leave nappies off when possible
use extra absorbent nappies
make sure your baby's nappies fit properly
clean your baby’s skin with water or fragrance-free and alcohol-free baby wipes
bath your baby daily (but not more than twice a day, as washing too much can make the skin dry out)
use olive oil to remove nappy rash ointment rather than water

Don’t

do not use soaps, baby lotion or bubble bath as they can irritate the skin
do not use talcum powder or antiseptics on nappy rash
do not put nappies on too tightly as it can irritate the skin

A pharmacist can help with nappy rash

If the rash is causing your baby discomfort, a pharmacist can recommend a nappy rash cream or medicine to treat it at home.

They may suggest using a thin layer of a barrier cream to protect the skin or giving your baby child's paracetamol for pain relief (only suitable for babies over 2 months old).

Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent advice: See a health visitor or GP if:

your baby's nappy rash does not go away, gets worse or spreads to other areas
your baby has a high temperature
your baby seems very uncomfortable

Treatment for nappy rash

A GP may prescribe treatment if your baby is in a lot of discomfort or they think your baby might have an infection.

They may prescribe:

a steroid cream or ointment to help with redness and soreness
an antifungal cream, if they think your baby has a thrush infection
antibiotics, if they think your baby has a bacterial infection

Causes of nappy rash

It's normal for babies to sometimes get nappy rash.

It can be caused by:

your baby's skin being in contact with pee or poo for a long time
not cleaning the nappy area or changing the nappy often enough
the nappy rubbing against your baby's skin
an allergic reaction to soap, detergent or bubble bath
irritation from fragranced baby wipes or wipes containing alcohol
some types of medicines, such as antibiotics or laxatives (used to make a baby poo more often)
thrush (a fungal infection)

Page last reviewed: 1 January 2023
Next review due: 1 January 2026