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Original poster

Nappy rash when Metanium isn't helping

32 replies

Kailee · 23/05/2023 18:08

My poor 3 week old baby has nappy rash.

It started off very small and I treated it with metanium, which worked. It then came back and now nothing is working. The skin is almost like jelly, the metanium cream won't adhere to it.

I've also tried sudocrem and that didn't help. I'm currently using the metanium barrier cream as that at least stays on the rash.

The rash is spreading and looks very sore. He cries when I wipe and change him, I think it must really be hurting him. He's unsettled and doesn't like to be put down on his back, I'm guessing that it's rubbing and making it worse.

I don't know what to do. Has anyone managed to treat nappy rash like this?

OP posts:
Shodan · 23/05/2023 18:21

I saw the following on Mumsnet years ago, and tried it in desperation for ds2's awful nappy rash. I found it to be near enough miraculous:

Make a strong cup of chamomile tea and allow it to cool. Soak a strip of muslin in the tea (size should be just smaller than the relevant area in your dc's nappy). Put in nappy overnight (change it at nappy change time).

I know it sounds weird, and I thought ds2 would be uncomfortable and wouldn't sleep,(he did though) but I swear the rash was so much better the next morning, and virtually gone after the second night.

I'd say it was worth a go, because it wouldn't do any harm and just might be the solution.

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 23/05/2023 18:23

Canesten for fungal nappy rash. https://www.canesten.co.uk/discover-canesten-products/fungal-nappy-rash

JustLikeJasper · 23/05/2023 18:23

Put egg white on a cotton wool ball and gently tap that on the rash, then add metanium and then vaseline. Don't use wipes to clean him just damp cotton wool. Try and get as much air to it as possible and wait for the egg white to dry before doing the other 2 layers x

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Cantthinkofadifferentname · 23/05/2023 18:25

If you are breastfeeding try some breastmilk on the rash

Blackcat50 · 23/05/2023 18:26

Unfortunately been there!!!

It might have turned into a fungal infection. Speak to a Pharmacist - the one in our local boots recommended taking it in turns after each nappy change of using Sudosalve and then canesten, not using wipes - just water and cotton wool and drying because putting on the cream. It took a few days to significantly improve but it finally did!!

https://www.boots.com/sudosalve-nappy-rash-treatment-cream-10285065

Good luck!!!

Sudosalve Nappy Rash Treatment Cream 25ml - Boots

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https://www.boots.com/sudosalve-nappy-rash-treatment-cream-10285065

Caspianberg · 23/05/2023 18:27

Ditch wipes.
Buy cheeky wipes, or use cotton wool before they arrive. Water only.

Also reusable nappies. My son only had bad rash when we travelled and used pampers. Tots bots teenyfits ideal and easy

ohhollyfred · 23/05/2023 18:28

I agree - probably fungal . It takes a while to get rid of it but you do need the special cream from the doctor

Partytastic · 23/05/2023 18:28

Sounds fungal.

LemonSwan · 23/05/2023 18:28

I would try changing the nappies also. Don’t use wipes. Our boy had reactions to both at times.

If it’s that bad though health visitor for advice

Shrimpseyelashes · 23/05/2023 18:29

DD had similar- was a fungal injection- had to use canestan cream followed by metanuim. Best to speak to GP or pharmacist

Pollywoddles · 23/05/2023 18:31

Probably fungal. Get the pharmacist to have a look.

Only use water and cotton pads to clean and have as much nappy free time as possible.

Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 23/05/2023 18:32

Definitely change to a different brand of nappy as one of mine reacts to asda nappies.
Might be worth getting in touch with your HV if you’ve a good one.

ChiaraRimini · 23/05/2023 18:35

For a 3 week old baby take them straight to the GP, don't waste time trying other creams/nappies first.

Writeandroll · 23/05/2023 18:37

Off piste here but are you using pampers? Gave my baby an awful nappy rash when he was newborn. Swapped brands and never any issues.
Something to do with a sensitivity to the liquid absorber they use in it

Nursemumma92 · 23/05/2023 18:42

Possibly worth getting a GP appointment as nappy rash that won't clear has sometimes got fungal infections and clear really well with creams prescribed by the GP. Other than that when my baby had bad nappy rash I would lay her on a towel and rinse her with water, then dab to get the excess water off and dry her with a hair dryer set to a cool setting. Then applied metanium but apply whichever cream. As much time as possible with a nappy off as well.

If you're struggling to speak to GP maybe see if you can get a health visitor to take a look. Sometimes it can be an underlying issue such as a lactose or cows milk protein allergy that causes unpleasant poos that are harsher on skin so they can address all of that.

Hope it heals up soon!

Original poster
Kailee · 23/05/2023 18:42

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 23/05/2023 18:23

How do I know if it's fungal?

OP posts:
theremaybetulipsahead · 23/05/2023 19:05

Get a gp appointment tomorrow. State the babies age when speaking to the receptionist and say they are in pain and you should get an appointment same day.

sunsetoranges · 23/05/2023 21:40

Definitely get it checked out first before trying anything 'unusual' suggested in case of a reaction as baby is so young.

What nappies do you use?

I'd use plenty of plain warm water and cotton wool balls to wipe/ let water trickle over at change time and make sure to use a dry cotton ball or 3 to gently pat dry the area. So many people forget that leaving a bum wet from wipes or cotton wool can make them sore.

Nappy free time. When holding/ feeding/ day naps use an open nappy underneath/ towels around as this is on way that will definitely help, natural air on the skin. (Skin with no cream on).
This was the one thing that helped my dc and it's not as tricky or yucky as it might sound.

SoItGoesAgain · 23/05/2023 21:44

ChiaraRimini · 23/05/2023 18:35

For a 3 week old baby take them straight to the GP, don't waste time trying other creams/nappies first.

I was coming on to say exactly this.
Baby is so young - definitely GP.

Allezvite · 23/05/2023 21:58

My baby reacted badly to metanium - that is an issue for some babies, despite most people finding it to be brilliant. So I would stop using metanium and as other posters say, get your baby to the GP asap.

I switched to Mustela brand products once I had got the nappy rash seen by a dr and it was all fine from then on.

LT2 · 23/05/2023 22:06

We had awful nappy rash problems when my LO was newborn too. The cause of it was frequent bowel movements. Of course all babies are frequent but he was more so than most. I'd put a fresh nappy on and within minutes he'd be going again. It was just constantly coming out of him that the skin went red raw! I tried endless creams. The doctor prescribed steroids. None of it really worked. All I could do was try lots of nappy off time, which was difficult as he was a winter baby! Once he started to poo less frequently it did go completely, but it felt like forever when it was there! I advise lots of nappy off time. Easier now it's warming up!

SuperGinger · 23/05/2023 22:29

My DS literally had the worst nappy rash ever, weeping open sores. He was allergic to cows milk protein, it cleared after we binned wipes and used cotton wool and water, patted it dry with muslins and then dried on a cool hairdryer before putting on bepathpan. Nappy changes regularly and nappy free time and I cut out dairy

milliemermaid · 23/05/2023 22:35

Well I am another one for egg white.
I used to dab it on little ones bottom, then dangle her (carefully) in front of radiator to dry.
Very effective!
Some of these ‘old wives tales’ really do work🙂

wincarwoo · 23/05/2023 22:53

Ask for orabase at the chemist. It's meant for gums but creates an amazing barrier.
My baby had weeping nappy rash and it was gone within a couple of days of using orabase. Not all chemists stock it though.

Original poster
Kailee · 24/05/2023 21:36

@LT2 when did he start pooing less?

Baby has at least a dirty smudge in every single nappy that I change :(

Inco pads arrived today so I will be trying nappy off time tomorrow in the day.

We've been using canesten cream since last night and it's not getting worse and he seems to scream and cry less when I put the cream on.

OP posts: