Little ones can be prone to some irritating skin complaints. We've lots of advice on how to spot and treat problems, to keep your baby's skin as soft and smooth as possible.

Cradle cap is very common in babies under one year-old. What causes it is unknown, so you can't really prevent it from happening. It generally starts in the scalp or nappy area. Your baby's skin might become flaky, but luckily it's not itchy, so you can rest assured it's not causing your little one any discomfort. To get rid of it, massage your baby's scalp with olive oil or baby oil before bedtime and leave on overnight. Shampoo the oil off in the morning and rub his head gently with a towel. You can also gently massage with your fingers or a soft brush to loosen the flakes. Cradle cap usually clears up within a few months, but if it doesn't, speak to your health visitor.

Atopic or infantile eczema in babies usually appears at 2-6 months. The good news is it clears up in half of those affected by the age of 18 months. It tends to run in families and is linked to hay fever, asthma, and other allergy-related disorders. So, if anyone in your family has these conditions, it might be worth a check for signs of eczema. The first sign is usually an itchy rash, commonly on the baby's cheeks, which can then spread.

If you think your baby might have eczema, take him to the doctor for a proper check-up and advice about how to treat the condition. Your doctor may prescribe lotion or cream to soothe the skin and prevent further outbreaks.

Almost all babies get some red, sore skin in the nappy area at some time. It can be uncomfortable for your little one. But there's no need to worry – a few simple steps can soon sort out the problem.

Nappy rash is just what it sounds like – a red, irritated rash in the nappy area, that affects the skin under or around a baby's nappy, particularly in the skin folds. It's most commonly a mild problem with just a little redness, but can occasionally require you to seek advice from your GP or health visitor.

Nappy rash is caused by three main factors:

The skin being kept wet under a nappy

Chemical irritation due to ammonia in the urine

Bacteria from your baby's urine and poo.

how to treat nappy rash

Nappy rash is caused mainly by contact between your baby's skin and a wet nappy, so the answer to both prevention and treatment is simply to reduce this contact as much as possible. When you can, leave your baby's nappy off, allowing air to get to his skin. Most babies love the chance to be nappy-free, and really enjoy having more freedom to kick their legs. But it's a good idea to place your little one on a large towel and changing mat in the event of accidents.

Some barrier creams contain antiseptic agents, which help to deal with germs. If you are unsure, don't worry, discuss what to use with your health visitor and/or pharmacist or doctor. They will be glad to help.

If your baby's nappy rash does not clear up after a few days, or if it looks particularly sore or the skin is broken, see your health visitor