Persistent nappy rash in 2 & 5 yr old

[MrsJamin]

Both boys have had a rash for nearly a month. Have tried an antibacterial cream from the doctor but it hasn't worked. They have v red bottoms and spots on their behinds. Is there anything else I can try before I get antibiotics for them? It's a last resort.

have you tried to just let their skin breathe? stick a bit of olive oil on them and let them run round without a nappy on for a couple of days.

Could it be thrush? Sounds like what DD2 had which turned out to be thrush.

Another one suggesting yeast infection, you may need an anti-fungal cream from the gp.

Try salt and a few drops of tea tree oil in their bath. Letting it breathe is good.

Are you using wipes when they use the toilet/for nappy changes? They can strip the skin and make it easier for yeast to multiply, you can cotton sheets from huggies that you just put water on if you need to use something similar.

Try metatanium if your 2 year old is in nappies, then switch to something breathable like bepanthen if it starts looking better. You can use bepanthen on your 5 year old if need to to protect his skin from faeces and urine while it heals too.

Reduce any sugar in their diet, even fruit temporarily as they can increase the yeast growth.

I should have said I used canesten before the antibacterial cream and that didn't help either. the 5 yr old is obviously in pants in the day so don't think running round butt naked would help - nor could we really do that in this weather. I might get some standard nappy rash cream - I guess I thought it might be something else that those creams wouldn't help with either.

Go back to GP, they may need a different anti-fungal treatment.

Also give them plain bio live yoghurt, it helps the body fight the yeast.

Sounds odd for a 5 year old who doesn't wear nappies to get "nappy rash". Think another trip to the GP is in order.

Sorry I meant to say he wears nappies at night (as I am a cheapskate and won't buy pullups!) He takes the nappy off first thing in the morning but he's nowhere near being dry at night.

DD2s rash eventually resolved. It was either Dapolene, Weleda or Bepanthen. I threw everything at it! It was only once it was nearly cleared was thrush diagnosed. Not sure which one of those, if any, would help thrush.

Drapolene!