Next to “My baby is not eating” and “Teething”, I think nappy rash is the next in the priority list of those things mothers worry about a lot and often like to ask the pediatricians so it 
is apt to write about such an important topic.
Nappy rashes as the name implies are rashes in babies that are limited to the part of their bodies covered by the diaper.
There are 2 different types of nappy rashes in broad categories
- Rashes that occur as a result of skin irritation from the prolonged contact of urine and stools in diaper with the skin of the baby. This is the most common type of nappy rashes
- Rashes that occur as a result of allergic reaction to the diaper material itself; and
- Rashes that tend to occur in the nappy areas but has nothing to do with the diaper or its contents
Most times it takes a Paediatrician or Dermatologist to differentiate between the different types.
HOW TO HANDLE NAPPY RASHES?
As a mother if you observe that your baby has rashes in the diaper area, first assume it is a diaper rash from prolonged contact of skin with urine or stools.
1) Change diaper frequently when wet, not only when there is a poo
2) Apply diaper treatment cream – sudocream and zinc oxide cream are good choices
3) Allow the diaper area to be exposed to air at times when you are home. Don’t always cover the perineum with diaper.
Let there be period of allowing the perineum to be in contact with fresh air!!
If you do this, most diaper rash will disappear within a few days or at most 2 weeks.
Rashes that persist and especially if reddish or discoloured or extending beyond the diaper area will require the attention of a Paediatrician or Dermatologist.
So see a doctor if you are not seeing any improvement after a week or two of using the commonly available diaper treatment cream. It may be one of the other types of diaper rashes that require specialist intervention.
The good news : Nappy rashes are largely preventable!
Here are some tips to help prevent nappy rashes
- Change diaper frequently when wet, not only when soiled with stools!Yes I know diapers are expensive but treating horrible nappy rashes are more expensive and inconvenient for the babies.
- Apply diaper cream regularly with each diaper change.ACCEPTABLE PRODUCTS include Petroleum Jelly (preferably un-perfumed), Sudocream, Shea Butter aka Ori, Zinc oxide cream etc
- PLEASE DO NOT APPLY POWDER to the Diaper area!!!I know this is a very common traditional practice which is not only highly UNNECESSARY but inadvertently causing the same thing the mothers are trying to prevent! Really? I know it sounds contradictory but it is true.I will tell you why – just stay with me a moment!
- Whatever product used for the Diaper area must create a barrier between the baby’s skin and urine or stools.
With powder, there is no barrier. The urine or stools actually mix with the powder to form a paste which act as an irritant to the skin and especially if diapers are also not changed immediately once wet or soiled. The prolonged contact of the irritating paste on the skin is responsible for most of the nappy rashes.
So AVOID POWDER USE in the Diaper area, use barrier creams or jelly and change diapers very frequently.
Of course even with all these recommendations being followed to the letter, some babies may still have rashes in the Diaper area.
Yes, not all rashes in that area are due to nappy rashes, some can be from allergic reactions or other infections.
So if you are taking precautions discussed above and your baby still have rashes in the Diaper area; it is time to see the Paediatrician or Dermatologist for further evaluation and treatment.
PLEASE DO NOT USE MEDICATION AS CREAMS WITHOUT THE DOCTOR’S PRESCRIPTION!!
Using any creams you like which may make the rashes worse.
In conclusion, applying these preventive measures will spare your babies of the inconvenient menace nappy rashes can be.
I look forward to reading your questions and comments.
Tnk u so much Dr for the enlightenment pls u said how to handle rash u can use sudocream or zinc oxide cream. Pls c we get d zinc oxide cream from a pharmacy shop and is der an example of a zinc oxide cream?
Yes you can get from most Pharmacy stores. That is the name…It looks white!
Thank you doctor, God bless you.
Amen, thanks
Thank you ma for the information. In the past, I’ve been prescribed “baby tribotan” by a doctor- though not a paediatrician. Does it fall under any of the products you have recommended for the prevention and/or treatment of nappy rash?
Baby Tribotan can be used or prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of already established diaper rash but it is not meant to be used as regular diaper cream for the prevention of nappy rashes
Please is it okay to use Baby Tribotan as a diaper cream?
NO!! It is not a regular diaper cream but medication to be used for treatment of already established diaper rash perhaps on a doctor’s precription
good morning doctor, pls my newborn (3 weeks) still breaths as if she is having running nose
You may want to take her to see a Paediatrician for proper evaluation first to know if there is anything to worry about or not.
Thank you doctor, you are so on point mam, more power to your elbow.
I must confess diapers zapped A LOT of money for my first daughter because i was careful for irritation. God will keep providing so we can stay up to speed with the necessary care… God bless you ma
You are welcome Mrs Ebeleju
Thanks Doc. fir yhevinfo.
You are welcome
Doctor my baby will be 2 month on the 17th of Sept. But at our last checkup that is when she was six weeks she weight 4.4kg is this normal cuz birth weight was 3.5kg .only on breast milk for now till I resume.what can I do to increase her weight if its low
Thank you
You need to read the relevant article on what is my baby’s ideal weight The weight is fair. Just continue exclusive breastfeeding!
I had always used sudocream and it usually clears rashes…But this few days,my baby of 7months has rashes which keeps spreading,looks as if it has liquid or purs like liquid in it….l have been using sudocream and no much improvement…it itches him,mainly on his two laps and directly below his navel spreading.should l continue with the sudocream or rather see a pediatrician. Thanks ma
That is not for sudocream to treat. Sudocream is to prevent the rashes. Once the rashes have occurred, you need to take the child to the hospital to see a doctor immediately for appropriate treatment
Good day doc,my baby of 3month has rashes on his face and I have been using Shea butter as his cream, can i stop and use sudo cream on his face?
NO ma. You should see a Paediatrician or Dermatologist for the appropriate diagnosis and management of the skin rashes. Read more here about common skin conditions in infants
No! Kindly see a doctor preferably a Paediatrician or dermatologist instead.Read more here about common skin rashes in infancy and what to do
Thanks for this information Doctor Gbemi. I so much appreciate it. Please I notice frequent occurrence of alefo at the diaper part and little bit up towards the back of my 10month old. I usually apply diaper cream to it, it clears off but later comes back. What could be the problem, MA.
Perhaps your child is allergic to the particular diaper you are using or you are not changing the diaper frequently enough. Do a trial of change of diaper that is preferably cotton and not rubber at the waist area; also change diaper more frequently and see if there is improvement. Also ensure that you wash your hands frequently before and after changing the baby. You can use hand sanitizers as well.
God bless u ma,the front part of my baby boy diaper area is clean but his buttom area is white with red spots.i don’t know what may be the cause ma
It is still diaper rash but perhaps due to infections most likely fungal. You should see a Paediatrician for proper evaluation and further treatment
Gudevening madam.my face came down with severe rashes on her face and shoulder a friend of mine recommended baby tribotan cream which I have been using on the affected area and its actually clearing it off.my daughter that is 2 months plus sweats alot so it comes and goes (once we apply baby tribotan cream).I want to know if baby tribotan cream is actually safe for her
It depends on the kind of rashes. It is better to see a doctor first to know what kind of rashes they are. Read more about common rashes in infants here
Pls ma can I use mycoten cream for diaper rash?
Only if prescribed by a medical doctor.
The rash is their already I was advice to use mycoten
It depends on whether it is just diaper rash or there is fungal secondary infection. It is better to use the usual preventive measures first and if no improvement see a doctor. Mycoten is an antifungal medication that should be used only by a doctor’s prescription. If you were advised by a doctor, that is fine. Please avoid self-medication.
Good day doc, my baby of 5months have been having sign of teething since when he was 3 months, upbstill no tooth is out, is it normal.
There is no need to worry. Read more here about Teething Teething -myths and realities
thank so much doctor, may God continue to give the wisdom MA (Amen)…..Ma, my baby is having rashes at her back nd don’t know what to do ma, pls help me ma
Kindly see a doctor about the rashes. It depends on what type of rashes and the cause that will determine the treatment.
I have a girl who will be 5years next month. Periodically her lips turn dark, dry and scaly. Been trying to know what it is. This began since she was about 7months old. this condition persist for some months then clears off by itself. Have taken her to the hospital on this but nothing really has been diagnosed. What could this be?
Kindly take her to see a dermatologist that is the skin doctor specialist for further evaluation and management.
Doc can sudocream be used as regular diaper cream
Yes of course. Please read the article for detailed information.
Good day Dr. Thanks for all you and your team do. Please can I use coconut oil for nappy rash on my almost 6weeks baby?
Coconut oil can be used to PREVENT diaper rash. If your baby already has diaper rashes then you need to see a doctor first to know the type and what sort of treatment is needed. You cannot just assume it will go with coconut oil. Please check the article for more information.
Pls what can I use for my baby colic
Kindly read about Infant colic and its management here DOC, WHAT IS COLIC?
Good evening ma, God bless you for all these Information. I must confess I’ve learn a lot from this platform.I pray God will increase you on every side.
Thank you…Keep reading and keep learning.
Good day doctor my baby is having rashes on her waist line ,Lap,and it’s spreading fast.i use Vaseline as her diaper cream.also she has rash on her neck and back and it’s red.i need help
Hi Jane. You should take your child to see a Paediatrician who can examine and advise you on appropriate treatment. We cannot advise without seeing your child.
Good morning Ma, thanks for your labour of love. You ended your write up with the following sentence, in bold letters, “PLEASE DO USE MEDICATION AS CREAMS WITHOUT THE DOCTOR’S PRESCRIPTION!!”
I feel there’s a slight mistake. I think you wanted to type DON’T instead. Thanks.
Thanks for your observation. You are right….it was a typographical error and it has been corrected. Thank you