NAPPY rash can be distressing for your little one and it's sometimes difficult to pinpoint the cause.
Around one in four toddlers have nappy rash at any one time, and it usually looks like red patches on your baby's bottom.
The whole area where the rash is can also be red and their skin might feel hot to the touch.
For most babies, their mild nappy rash won't be sore – but if it's severe they will feel uncomfortable.
To help avoid this, one doctor has revealed the five reasons why your little one is plagued by nappy rash.
Posting to YouTube, Dr Amna Hussain said that being a mum and paediatrician has meant that she has seen her 'fair share' of nappy rashes.
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In the US, medics refer to nappies as 'diapers'. as does Dr Hussain.
1. Irritation from stool and urine
The lactation consultant explained that irritation from stools and urine is the most common cause.
She said: "Prolonged contact with urine or stool can cause irritation to baby's skin and even skin breakdown, because urine and stools both have acidic qualities.
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"Prolonged contact can cause irritation so what you're going to want is to get an absorbent diaper that not only grabs hold of that urine or stool but really wicks it away from the skin."
2. Reaction to baby products
Many people use products on their baby, whether it's lotion or talc, but Dr Husain said these could be reacting with your baby's skin.
She explained that many products are labelled as natural or organic, and all sound really nice, but that there are some natural products that can be dangerous – which we wouldn't use on kids.
"Often products that have scents and fragrances can cause a diaper rash.
"Not only will lotions cause it, you can see them in diapers, detergents and fabric softners.
"Make sure you keep track of when you're changing these items around in your house", she said.
How to soothe nappy rash
You can usually treat nappy rash yourself at home.
The NHS says that if the rash isn't upsetting your baby then at each nappy change you should apply a thin layer of barrier cream to help protect their skin.
Here are the top tips from the NHS:
- change dirty nappies as soon as possible
- clean the area thoroughly
- use fragrance free wipes
- bath your baby daily
- don't bath twice a day as it will dry out this skin
- dry them gently after washing
- don't use soap or bubble baths
- don't use talc as it can irritate the skin
- make sure the nappy fits properly
3. Bacterial or fungal infection
Dr Husain said that while bacteria and yeast are two different organisms, they both love warm, moist areas.
"Often times you will see these causing nappy rash. Your paediatrician will often prescribe an anti-fungal cream if it's a yeast infection or an antibacterial cream if it's bacterial infection.
"You might often see these rashes in the folds or those rolls that babies have in the diaper area, but be careful, if you don't treat them it can cause a lot of skin breakdown and can cause you child to become sick", she said.
4. Chaffing or rubbing
Dr Husain said one of the main benefits of finding a well fitting nappy/ diaper is that it will prevent chafing or rubbing.
She added that you also need to make sure that the nappy is on the correct way.
"If the leg cuffs or the fringes around the inner thighs are tucking inward or perhaps too tight then again it can cause chafing and I can see a rash commonly in these areas".
5. Introduction to new foods
A common cause of nappy rash, she said is introduction of new foods.
"Changes in your baby's diet can increase the frequency of your baby's stools and even decrease them.
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"If they increase it, make sure you are on top of that as you need to change the diaper frequently as well."
She added that you shouldn't be alarmed if the stools do change, as this is normal when introducing new foods.
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