For Healthcare Professionals

What is nappy rash?

Nappy rash is an irritant contact dermatitis around the nappy area. Nappies cause the baby's delicate skin to become fragile by increasing its hydration and pH. Prolonged contact with urine and faeces (and faecal enzymes) damages the delicate skin resulting in contact dermatitis.

This dermatitis can predispose the skin to colonization with C. albicans and ongoing, untreated irritation can lead to skin infection with C. albicans and bacteria.

Is it very common?

Nappy rash is a very common problem which is estimated to affect up to one in three nappy wearing children at any one time. It doesn't usually develop immediately after birth, but the prevalence tends to be highest between 9 and 12 months. Boys and girls are equally affected, and there are no differences between babies of different races.

There are times when a baby might be more likely to get nappy rash, so it's worth being on the lookout for the tell-tale signs of redness and irritation around the nappy area.

The trigger times can include:

• When a baby first sleeps through the night
• Antibiotic use
• An attack of diarrhoea or runny stools
• Starting on solid foods
• Common cold
• Teething
• Breast milk to formula milk