Home Remedies for Diaper Rash

What is diaper rash? What are the causes of diaper rash? How to treat diaper rash? Which is the best diaper rash cream or diaper rash ointment to use in treating diaper rash?

If you notice that your baby's bottom or any area covered by the diaper is red with shiny rash when you remove his or her diaper, it's a sign that your baby has developed diaper rash. Baby's diaper rash occurs when there is friction between the baby's skin and diaper. If the diaper is not changed immediately after your baby urinates or poops, the chemicals and acids will rub against the skin and inevitably cause diaper rash. And if you don't thoroughly clean and dry your baby's bottom and diaper area before replacing with a new diaper, the skin is at a higher risk of developing bacterial or fungal or yeast infection.

Other possible causes of diaper rash include allergic reaction to baby wipes that contain chemicals or alcohol, alkaline from urine or chemicals from laundry detergents that is retained on cloth diapers that have not been thoroughly cleaned or treated and the use of a plastic pants over the cloth diaper.

Home remedies for diaper rash No. 1 - Remove wet diaper immediately

Change the diaper as soon as you notice that your baby has pooped. If you can't tell, check every 2 hours. You may have to check a newborn baby more frequently because your baby may poop more often as he or she may experience tummy troubles while trying to adjust to the milk or baby formula.

Home remedies for diaper rash No. 2 - Clean thoroughly and keep it dry

If you use baby wipes to clean your baby's bottom, ensure that the product is free from alcohol, scents and chemicals and has been clinically tested. It is safer to use water and wash cloth to clean, rinse and dry.

What you can do is wet a wash cloth in water to clean, rinse with water or a wet cloth and then dry the skin with a towel. Leave your baby's diaper area exposed to air for a few minutes. If you want to prevent diaper rash, apply diaper rash cream as a barrier to block moisture from the skin before you put on a new diaper.

Home remedies for diaper rash No. 3 - Treating diaper rash

When you notice the appearance of diaper rash or blemishes, immediately and gently pat and dry the affected area with a soft wash cloth. Then, apply diaper rash cream or ointment on it.

Desitin rapid relief creamy ointment is a very popular brand. Besides zinc oxide, it contains aloe vera, vitamin E and white beeswax. The Triple paste medicated ointment for diaper rash is another one of them. Its ingredients include corn starch, beeswax and oat kernel extract. Other brands include Aquaphor baby healing ointment with petrolatum as it most active ingredient and Aveeno baby diaper rash cream which includes oat kernel extract, beeswax, willow herb extract and evening primrose seed extract.

There are many more brands available in the market. The most common ingredients in almost all diaper rash ointments are zinc oxide and beeswax. So, which is the best diaper cream to use? One of the best ways to decide is to check other parents' experiences and recommendations and your child's reaction to the treatment.

If the symptoms on your baby's bottom appear to be fungal diaper rash or yeast diaper rash, use topical antifungal skin cream or ointment to clear the infection.

Home remedies for diaper rash No. 4 - Herbal and natural remedies

If you want to use natural ingredients and herbal extracts only as home remedies for diaper rash, you can choose calendula, chamomile, plantain, witch hazel, red clover or shea butter. You can use the extract as a baby wash, baby wipes or pat the herbal extract topically to soothe and treat rashes.

Home remedies for diaper rash No. 5 - Prevention and Precaution

1. If you use cloth diapers, rinse them several times and add white vinegar on the final rinse to remove alkaline and other irritants. And avoid putting on a plastic pants over the cloth diaper as it blocks air from passing through.
   
   
   
2. If you use disposable diapers, make sure they are highly absorbent and the diapers fit comfortably to avoid friction.
   
   
   
3. If the rash develops after your baby started taking solid or different food, check if it is the trigger that causes the allergic reaction. Change back, avoid or do it gradually so that he or she has time to adjust.
   
   
   
4. If your child suffers from severe diaper rash with fluid filled raised bumps or blisters and don't go away after several days, take him to see a doctor.
   
   
   
5. If you breast feed your baby, ask your doctor first before taking any medication or antibiotic.

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