NAPPY RASHES IN CHILDREN: SYMPTOMS, HOME CARE AND PRECAUTIONS
Symptoms: reddened skin, rough, scaly skin, ammonia odor, red, scaly spots.
Home care:
Keep the baby as dry as possible. Change nappies often.
Avoid airtight outer covering over nappies.
Try changing the products used to launder nappies.
For simple nappy rash, apply petroleum jelly; zinc oxide; vitamin A & D ointment; or an ointment combining zinc oxide, cod liver oil, petrolatum, and lanolin.
For ammonia rash, avoid airtight outer covering over the nappies. Wash the nappy area frequently with clear water.
For rash from infections, wash the area with soap and water. Apply antibiotic ointment often.
Precautions
- If the rash is spreading or severe, see your doctor.
- If the rash worsens after two days of home treatment, see your doctor.
- If the child has a fever, irritability, loss of appetite, or any other signs of illness, see your doctor.
- Do not use more than one type of ointment at the same time (unless both were prescribed by your doctor).
Nappy rashes are irritations of the skin in the nappy area. Almost all babies get nappy rash of one form or another. Nappy rashes may be caused by moisture, urine, or irritating chemicals in the nappies.
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