We know it can be worrying to find a rash on your baby’s skin but diaper rash is a fairly common issue and we’re here to help. In this guide, we share expert advice from the likes of dermatologist Dr. Cairine Wilkinson and Dr. Pixie McKenna, as well as newborn diaper rash tips to help you understand, prevent and treat diaper rash effectively so you can keep your baby happy and healthy.
1. What is newborn diaper rash?
2. Diaper rash symptoms - What does newborn diaper rash look like?
3. What are the causes of newborn diaper rash?
4. How to prevent newborn diaper rash
5. Diaper rash tips - How to treat newborn diaper rash
6. How long does newborn diaper rash last?
7. When to see GP for newborn diaper rash
1. What is newborn diaper rash?
Let's begin by addressing what exactly newborn diaper rash is. Diaper rash affects many babies and is commonly caused by irritation of the skin.
Diaper rash can be characterised by red patches on your baby's bottom, or the whole area may be red. Their skin may look sore and feel hot to touch, and there may be spots, pimples, or blisters.1
2. What does diaper rash look like? Diaper rash symptoms:
Mild diaper rash – Pink or red spots. These spots may merge into blotches, affecting a small part of the diaper area. Your baby may cry when passing pee and poop.
Severe diaper rash – You may notice bright red spots and cracked skin affecting a large part of the diaper area. Your baby may be irritable and restless and could have a high temperature.
Fungal diaper rash – Inflamed skin and red spots around the edges of the rash. The folds of the skin may also be affected.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what diaper rash looks like. We know that the symptoms of diaper rash can look very nasty but soon you'll be armed with our tips and be able to better protect your baby's bottom in no time!
3. What are the causes of diaper rash?
There are several causes of diaper rash and sometimes it's hard to prevent them. Here are some of the most common reasons2 why your baby may be suffering from the effects of diaper rash:
Skin being in contact with pee or poop for long periods – If your little one is going to the toilet more often or not being changed regularly enough this can lead to irritation on their skin. Check out our diaper changing tips article for more info.
Bacterial or fungal infection – Sometimes, the cause of diaper rash can be from a bacterial infection and this can then spread around your baby's bottom and genitals. The area covered by a diaper can be a breeding ground for bacteria, as it is warm and moist, and so an infection can quickly develop and spread.
Antibiotics – If your baby has been prescribed antibiotics then these can affect bacteria levels that prevent diaper rash from occurring, resulting in the very thing the body is designed to naturally ward off. If you're still breastfeeding and taking antibiotics this can also have a similar effect.
Chafing – If your baby's diaper or clothes are too tight they can rub against the skin, causing irritation and diaper rash. A tight diaper also reduces airflow which can lead to the diaper area becoming too moist.
New products – If you've decided to try a new baby shampoo or a washing detergent than this may have irritated your baby's skin, which could lead to diaper rash.
Sensitive skin – Some babies just have more sensitive skin than others and so regular cleaning, changing, and using products can irritate it.
Alcohol-based or fragranced wipes – Wipes are great for easy cleaning but those that are perfumed or alcohol-based can irritate sensitive skin.
Diet – Foods that contain high amounts of citric acid could lead to diaper rash, this includes foods like oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes.
Hopefully the above helps you to understand more about the wide ranging causes of diaper rash.
4. How to prevent diaper rash
You can prevent diaper rash by ensuring your baby is kept clean and dry when possible. We’ve listed a range of diaper rash tips below on how to prevent diaper rash so you and your baby stay happy.
Avoid soaps, bubble baths, and lotions. Wash your baby's bottom with water and avoid any products with ingredients that can irritate your baby's delicate skin.
If using wipes, use fragrance-free and alcohol-free baby wipes. Check the back of the pack to ensure they do not contain alcohol or other unnecessary ingredients. WaterWipes are the world’s purest baby wipes and provide gentle but effective cleansing for your baby or toddler’s skin.
Dry skin thoroughly. When changing your baby, dry the skin thoroughly, patting instead of rubbing if the area is sore.
At each diaper change apply a thin layer of barrier cream or a barrier spray to dry skin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend one.
Avoid using talcum powder - this can also irritate the skin.
Leave your baby’s diaper off for as long as you can to let fresh air get to their skin. If this isn’t feasible, ensure dirty diapers are changed as soon as possible.
Bathe baby three times a week. It is fine to bathe your baby every day (especially if they have baby eczema) but three times a week is usually enough to keep the skin clean. A pure wipe such as WaterWipescan be used to gently and effectively cleanse in between bath times.
Using only the purest products on your baby’s bottom can help prevent diaper rash and help with treating it, so before you buy anything, read the ingredients list and make sure you know what each one does.
Where wipes are concerned, that’s easy. WaterWipesare made from 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract. That’s why they’re the world’s purest baby wipes.
The best way to deal with diaper rash is to try to prevent your baby from getting it in the first place. But, if your baby gets diaper rash, you can usually treat their skin yourself.
Dermatologist Dr. Cairine Wilkinson
Follow these tips on how to prevent diaper rash and read our diaper changing tips article to be sure you'll have a happy baby come diaper changing time. However, we understand that sometimes these things can't be prevented so if you're dealing with a dreaded case of diaper rash, here are our top tips for handling it.
5. Diaper rash tips - how to treat diaper rash
You can treat diaper rash at home with over the counter medicines and a little extra TLC3. Here are our diaper rash tips on how to treat diaper rash and get your baby back to their usual happy self.
Let your baby's skin breathe
Try to air out your baby's skin regularly with no diaper time for short periods. It's also a good idea to use diapers that are a little larger than your baby needs while treating diaper rash. This allows your baby's skin plenty of air to heal and dry out a little to stop the rash from getting worse.
Check and change their diaper regularly
Ensure they aren't sat in wet or dirty diapers for longer than necessary – try to change them as soon as they have peed or pooped. This does mean you will need to keep a very close eye on them and check their diapers regularly throughout the day.
Carefully clean the affected area
Use a soft cotton wool ball and warm water to clean your baby's bottom after each change, then dry with a clean towel. Pat the area rather than rubbing to ensure you don't irritate the skin further.
Bathe your baby every day
While you may use wipes in between baths, we recommend bathing your little one every day while treating diaper rash. Use a fragrance-free soap to avoid any further irritation and soak their skin in warm water before gently drying after.
Apply an over the counter cream or ointment
Speak to your pharmacist or doctor about the best ointments to treat diaper rash. A cream or ointment that contains zinc oxide is a good choice as this creates a protective layer on skin and relieves irritation. Check the ingredients and choose an all-natural product if you can that is free of petrolatum, phthalates and parabens.
6. How long does diaper rash last?
“Diaper rash should clear up after about three days4.’ Dr. Pixie McKenna assured us. “However, if you are at all concerned about the rash, if you think your baby has something that is not diaper rash and has lingered longer than three days or if it is causing your baby discomfort, get advice from a doctor.”
7. When to see a doctor for diaper rash
If you've done all you can to clear up that case of diaper rash but it doesn't seem to be going away or has got worse, it may be time to visit the doctor. Here's when to consider booking that appointment2:
If your baby's skin bleeds, itches, or is oozing.
If your baby has a fever.
If your baby appears to be experiencing discomfort when peeing or pooping.
If the diaper rash gets worse after home treatment.
You know your baby better than anyone, so if you feel that something isn't right, get them to a professional as soon as you can for guidance. Your doctor may prescribe you a mild steroid (hydrocortisone) cream if home remedies aren't working or topical or oral antibiotics for more severe infections.
We know that dealing with diaper rash is never a fun job, so consider our causes, symptoms and tips to prevent or treat that dreaded irritation with ease. If you found our diaper rash treatment tips useful, be sure to take a look at our other baby skin articles on our Parenting Hub: