Teething and Nappy Rash: What’s the Connection & How to Help

Many parents wonder whether teething can cause nappy rash, especially when both can occur simultaneously. While there’s no direct medical link between the two, increased drooling during teething may lead to loose stools, which can irritate your little one’s skin and contribute to what may seem to be a teething nappy rash. Recognising this potential overlap can help you respond confidently, ease your baby’s discomfort and support their skin through this normal, although sometimes tricky, development phase.

In this article, we’ll explore the symptoms of teething, whether it can contribute to a nappy rash and how you can help keep your little one’s skin comfortable and protected.

What Is Teething?

Teething is when an infant’s first teeth, also known as milk teeth or baby teeth, start to push through the gums. This process typically begins around 6 to 12 months, but every baby is different, and the timing may vary.

Symptoms of Teething Associated with a Nappy Rash

Contrary to popular belief, a nappy rash is not a direct symptom of teething. Some parents assume that increased drooling during teething causes babies to swallow excess saliva, leading to looser stools. This, in turn, may increase the risk of having a nappy rash during teething due to prolonged moisture and skin irritation. However, if your infant has diarrhoea while teething, it may be due to another cause.

Common signs of teething include:

• Increased drooling

• A desire to chew on objects

• Irritability

• Tender or swollen gums.

Some babies may experience mild discomfort, while others might not show many noticeable symptoms. You can learn more with our guides about symptoms of teething and the typical teething timeline.

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Can Teething Cause a Nappy Rash?

As mentioned earlier, it’s unlikely that teething directly causes a nappy rash. The direct link between the two is not well-established. However, it’s not uncommon for teething and a nappy rash to coincide around the same time in your little one’s development. 

If teething isn’t the cause, what else could be behind your baby’s nappy rash? Here are four common reasons:

1. Prolonged contact with wee or poo. Sitting in a wet or soiled nappy for too long may make the skin sore and irritated. If your little one has diarrhoea, the extra moisture may increase the risk of a nappy rash.

2. Increased ph. Enzymes found in a stool can increase the skin’s ph level, leading to skin irritation as they break down the natural barrier of the skin.

3. Too much moisture. If the nappy area stays damp for long periods, the skin becomes delicate, making it more prone to chafing and irritation.

4. Friction. A tight-fitting nappy or tight clothing that causes chaffing or rubbing.

Other possible causes of a nappy rash include bacterial, yeast or viral infections, allergic reactions to new products and an ill-fitting nappy.

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What Does a Teething Nappy Rash Look Like?

While teething is unlikely to cause a nappy rash, you may still want to know what it typically looks like. Common signs of a nappy rash include:

• Red or brown bumps that may be harder to see on darker skin tones, along with larger areas of sensitive or irritated skin in the nappy area or the folds of your little one’s upper thighs.

• Peeling, flaking or scaly skin.

• The affected area may appear puffy and tender and feel warm to the touch.

• Your baby may seem irritable or fussy.

If your little one has a persistent nappy rash, it could be due to another cause, such as a fungal or bacterial infection. If the rash does not improve after a few days, consult your GP or health visitor for advice.

Home Remedies for Nappy Rash from Teething

While teething itself does not directly cause a nappy rash, the two may occur around the same time. If your little one develops a nappy rash during teething, keeping their skin clean and dry may help ease discomfort. A nappy rash usually clears up within a few days with proper care.

To help prevent a nappy rash and protect your baby’s delicate skin, try these care tips:

• Change nappies frequently. Keep your little one’s skin dry by changing wet or soiled nappies as soon as possible.

• Keep the nappy area clean and dry. Use alcohol-free and fragrance-free wipes with pH balancing ingredients, such as Pampers Sensitive Wipes. Pampers wipes are soft, strong and gentle on sensitive skin, making them ideal for cleaning your little one thoroughly and keeping their skin free from stool and urine. 

• Let your baby’s skin breathe. Let your baby’s skin breathe with breathable nappies that promote airflow, reducing moisture and irritation while keeping them comfortable, even during tummy time.

• Use absorbent nappies. Choose nappies with super-absorbent layers to keep moisture away from the skin, reducing the risk of a nappy rash. Pampers Baby-Dry helps protect against leaks while keeping your baby comfortable.

• Ensure a good fit. A snug but not too tight nappy fit helps prevent moisture build-up and reduces friction that can lead to irritation.

If the nappy rash lasts more than a few days, worsens or shows signs of infection (such as blisters, open sores or pus), speak to your GP or health visitor for further advice.

The Bottom Line

Although teething and nappy rash can often happen around the same time, there is no clear link between the two. Understanding the signs of teething, along with the causes of a nappy rash, can help you find the best ways to keep your baby’s skin comfortable and protected.

If your baby develops a nappy rash during teething, keeping their skin clean and dry and choosing absorbent nappies can help. If irritation persists or worsens, consult your GP or health visitor for advice. 

In the meantime, download the Pampers Club app to enjoy exclusive rewards and discounts on your nappy and baby wipes purchases.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}