How do you treat diaper rash?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Change nappies promptly and often, clean with water and cotton wool or fragrance-free wipes, pat dry, allow daily nappy-free time, and apply a thin layer of barrier cream (zinc oxide or petroleum) at every change. Skip talcum powder, perfumed products, and tight nappies; most rashes improve within days. When it is more than irritation: bright red with spots spreading beyond the main patch (thrush - needs antifungal cream), blistering or broken skin, fever, spread beyond the nappy area, or no improvement after about a week of good care. A clearly distressed or unwell baby with a rash is a separate signal from the rash itself. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you judge the pattern.
What to do
- Barrier cream at every change: zinc oxide or petroleum, thin layer.
- Air time daily: kicking bare on a towel dries and heals.
- Water and pat-dry only: no powder, no fragrance, no rubbing.
- Escalate spots, blisters, or fever: thrush and infection need treatment.
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