Nappy Rash

Nappy Rash: What is it?

Nappy rash is an inflammation of the skin on a baby’s bottom. It may occur if your baby has been left in a dirty nappy for too long, because as urine and faeces are broken down ammonia is released, which burns and irritates her skin. It can also be due to an allergy to soap powder used when washing fabric nappies. A similar-looking rash may be caused by thrush, which can affect the mouth, as well as the nappy area. Thrush usually starts in the creases at the top of the legs.

Nappy Rash: Symptoms

1. Red, spotty, sore looking skin in the nappy area
2. Smell of ammonia

cleaning baby boy

At nappy changes and bath times, wash or wipe around your baby’s penis and scrotum to clean away any obvious soiling. After a nappy change you can use a damp cloth or cotton wool. While your son is a baby, his penis will self-clean to some extent. Don't try to pull back his foreskin to clean as you won’t be able slide it back. 

Your baby’s foreskin will be attached to the head of his penis. The foreskin will separate from his penis by the time he’s two. You don’t need to help it along and you’ll probably do more harm than good if you try. Forcing back the foreskin may cause it to tear, which can hurt your baby and leave scarring. It may also cause problems for your little boy later on. If your baby has been circumcised, you can keep his penis clean as a part of his normal bathing. After the bath you could put some petroleum jelly on his penis to protect it from rubbing against his nappy.