Manage the use of nappy rash creams

Early learning services should work with their communities about how to manage nappy rash barrier creams or other preparations such as gels or powders.

If whānau | families provide their preferred nappy rash preparations for their child, the cream should be labelled with the child's name. This is to minimise the potential risk of cross-contamination.

If a child needs nappy rash barrier cream and does not have their own, your service can supply cream. You should let parents know so they can decide if it is the right choice for their child.

Non-prescription nappy rash barrier cream is not considered a medicine for licensing criteria purposes. This means you do not need to get written authorisation or acknowledgement from parents to use it.

Hygiene when applying nappy rash creams

When you use nappy rash barrier creams, you must reduce the potential risk of:

• cross-contamination
• spread of illness
• allergic reactions.

Your service should have clear procedures and practices in place to make sure these potential risks are managed.

Use gloves when changing nappies. Change gloves between each child.

Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after changing nappies and changing gloves. Dry your hands thoroughly.

Use individual containers of nappy rash cream for each child. If using a shared container of nappy rash cream, use a disposable wooden stirrer or stick for each child to minimise cross-contamination, and dispose of it after each use.

Prescribed medication for nappy rash

If a child needs a prescribed medication to treat a condition such as thrush or infected nappy rash, this must be treated as a category (ii) medicine as explained in the licensing criteria:

• HS28 categories of medicine for centre-based services
• HS25 categories of medicine for home-based services
• HS28 categories of medicine for Te Kōhanga Reo

You should ask the child’s parents to share information with you if a child is diagnosed with these conditions.