Updated: 11/19/2019
Contents
Children are susceptible to diaper rash, which causes a lot of discomfort and upsetting experiences for both parents and children. Diaper rash appears on the skin under the diaper, and it is often seen in children at the age of two or younger or babies wearing diapers. The untreated rash will get worse and lead to a yeast infection. Besides the conventional treatments for diaper rash, there are a number of natural solutions that can make the condition better. In this article, we would like to introduce natural, effective home remedies for diaper rash in babies.
What Causes Diaper Rash?
A yeast rash or a diaper rash can be caused by different reasons. Some of them are diarrhea, infrequent diaper changes, and sudden changes in diet. An illness, antibiotics, a tight diaper, constant rubbing, laundry detergents, yeast or bacterial infections, sensitivities to disposable diapers, and tight diapers, allergic reactions, and overexposure to ammonia are also common triggers for diaper rash[1].
In particular, the bacteria start to cause skin rashes when it breaks down the protective barrier of the skin due to fecal and urine on the baby’s skin. A lot of lying in bed or sitting, especially when the diaper is left unchanged for a long time also results in a diaper rash. Furthermore, when your babies start eating solid food, the acidic changes in their bowel movements also increase the risk of this disease.
It is important for you to treat the diaper rash soon and immediately to prevent the risk of yeast infection. A study conducted in over 1200 infants has shown that babies wearing cloth diapers have the highest risk of diaper rash[2]. Therefore, if your babies use cloth diapers, you should change the diapers frequently and use a mild detergent.
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17 Effective Home Remedies For Diaper Rash In Babies
1. Magnesium Oil
Applying topical ointments such as steroids is a common way people often do to treat diaper rash, and many other skin disorders as well. However, these ointments will cause problems if applied to the ultra-sensitive skin. And your baby’s skin is more sensitive than an adult’s.
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Instead of using topical ointments, you can use magnesium oil, which is known for one of the true remedies for this issue in babies because of its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. In a study conducted in the Pediatric Ward of Hajar Hospital, there is a link between the magnesium cream with the treatment of diaper dermatitis[3].
2. Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is good at helping skin acne by removing impurities and toxins, but it is also one of the home remedies for diaper rash[4].
Bentonite clay has highly absorbent properties. Therefore, it can draw out the heavy metals, toxins, and other impurities from the skin tissue, thus controlling moisture and fighting bacteria that cause diaper rash.
To use bentonite clay for treating diaper rash, you just need to mix enough bentonite clay with water to create a smooth and thick paste before spreading on your baby’s affected skin and letting it dry.
3. Change The Diaper More Often
If the diaper rash is left unchanged, dirty, poopy, or wet for a long period of time, your baby will be susceptible to the diaper rash. Furthermore, it also worsens the symptoms in babies suffering from these problems.
Therefore, moms tend to change the diaper too often (8 – 10 times daily) as an effective method in preventing and treating diaper rash. However, there is no need to count. You need to pay attention to know when you have to change your baby’s diaper.
Keep in mind that bacterial infection caused by the dirty diaper will make the condition worse, increasing the risk of psoriasis. It is important for you to keep your baby always clean with frequent diaper changes[5].
4. DIY Diaper Cream
Rather than using chemical-based ointments and creams, which have negative effects, you can easily make your own diaper cream that is natural, safe, and effective to help treat diaper rash in babies.
The home-made diaper cream will contain coconut oil, shea butter, and calendula and other natural skin-improving ingredients. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties which can fight against yeast. It is a reason why shea butter is an important ingredient in your own natural diaper cream. Furthermore, calendula is loaded with linoleic acid with anti-inflammatory properties[6]. Therefore, using calendula can ease the irritation from diaper rash.
5. Feed The Right Foods To Your Baby
Diarrhea caused by the wrong food is a common cause of irritations and diaper rash. In that case, one of the best home remedies for diaper rash is to find how to stop diarrhea.
The BRAT diet, which has common foods, including applesauce, bread, rice, and toast, helps to deal with the discomfort and symptoms of diaper rash.
Depending on the age of your baby and what your baby can eat, you need to soften the food to make it easy and safe for your baby to eat. For instance, toddlers can consume more solid foods such as chopped up soft-boiled eggs, pasta, fermented whole grains, and plain probiotic-containing yogurt. It is recommended adding starch to the diet of people with diarrhea because starch can add bulk to stools. Do not feed your baby with sugars and fats because they can make the condition get worse[7].
6. Breast Milk
Breast milk has many benefits, and one of them is to help diaper rash thanks to its antibacterial properties[8]. Breast milk contains biodynamic and anti-infective properties. Furthermore, breast milk is loaded with antibodies.
To treat diaper rash, you just need to apply some breast milk to the baby’s bottom for a few days.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can help to inhibit the growth of candida, leading to fungal infections[9]. This vinegar has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral effects, and it can help to fight against diaper rashes effectively[10] [11]. Therefore, to treat fungal infections and diaper rash, it is recommended putting a cup of apple cider vinegar to the bath water and soak your baby into it for a few minutes.
The apple cider vinegar can kill yeast, causing the rash, and bacteria, worsening the rash. You can also use apple cider vinegar to prevent diaper rash in babies by diluting a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of lukewarm water and then washing your baby’s bottom when you change their diaper.
8. Olive Oil
According to pediatricians, parents should use mild cleansers such as Cetaphil after the bowel movements and use cotton balls and plain water after wet diapers. But olive oil is a great alternative that helps to relieve irritation and diaper rash because of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties[12].
9. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has soothing and hydrating properties. Therefore, coconut oil helps to strengthen the barrier protection of the skin[13].
As a powerful antifungal and antimicrobial properties[14], coconut oil can kill off the yeast causing diaper rash[15]. Coconut oil can work for the diaper rash in babies without making him feeling pain.
10. Petroleum Jelly
The diapers will get wet and dirty often, and that will make a mess. Therefore to prevent and treat diaper rash, you should wash your baby’s bottom and then use a cotton towel dry it before applying some petroleum jelly.
Petroleum jelly can help diaper rash because it keeps your baby’s bottom clean by removing the toxins and preventing the growth of bacteria caused by fences and urine. It is recommended using this treatment often to see a significant improvement. Petroleum jelly is an excellent moisturizer[16] that offers anti-inflammatory and other healing properties, which can aid in treating diaper rashes. Also, it prevents secondary infection by preventing other microbes from entering into your baby’s skin.
11. Oatmeal
The saponin compound present in oatmeal can remove moisture and dirt from skin barriers; therefore, oatmeal is a great solution for reducing skin rashes and keeping your baby’s skin from dirt and unwanted oils[17]. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of oatmeal help soothe the inflammation and irritation caused due to diaper rashes[18] [19].
To treat diaper rash in babies, you need to add a tablespoon of dried oatmeal to bath water and then soak your baby in the bath.
If the diaper rash condition is severe, you can use this treatment two or three times daily to get the best result.
12. DIY Essential Oil Spray
Using DIY Essential Oils spray is also a highly recommended home remedy for diaper rash. You just need to mix tea tree oil, almond oil, and lavender essential oil with enough amount of water and keep it in a spray bottle. After that, you can use this solution to the rash-affected areas.
This essential oil spray contains tea tree oil that can help to treat many skin issues thanks to its antiseptic effect. The antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal value of tea tree oil[20] is beneficial in treating diaper rashes.
13. Yogurt
Organic yogurt can help skin rashes and symptoms of inflammation. Yogurt is a probiotic in nature that is proven to be effective in fighting against yeast and microbial infections[21]. Therefore, there is no wonder that yogurt is one of the amazing home remedies for diaper rash. To reap the benefits of yogurt in rashes, you should spread a thick layer of sugar-free yogurt over your baby’s bottom and then wipe it off before changing a diaper.
14. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt has many health benefits, and one of them is to help to heal irritated and inflamed skin at the skin affected by rashes because Epsom salt is loaded with a high level of magnesium and has anti-inflammatory properties[22]. To use Epsom salt for the diaper rash in babies, you just need to add half a cup of Epsom salt into the warm bath water and then let your baby take a bath for about 10 – 15 minutes. It is recommended repeating this treatment two or three times weekly to make the diaper rashes go away completely.
15. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is well-known for its healing properties; therefore, it is not surprising when aloe vera is used for any purposes, including a solution for diaper rash in babies. The anti-inflammatory nature of aloe vera[23] can help to soothe inflamed and irritated skin caused by this condition. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of aloe vera[24] can fight against bacteria triggering diaper rashes.
To use aloe vera for diaper rash, you just need to apply one or two teaspoons of aloe vera over the affected area. Leave it for a few minutes and then wipe it off. It is recommended using this treatment two or three times daily to get the best result.
16. Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract contains powerful antimicrobial properties[25] that can fight against microbial infections, causing diaper rash.
Mix 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract with a ½ cup of water and then spray this solution on your baby’s bottom. Do this two times daily for the best result.
17. Avoid Baby Wipes
For some moms, baby wipes are a convenient and useful go-to tool, but in fact, some ingredients in baby wipes can cause skin irritation.
Instead, you should use a paper towel with water or a soft washcloth to prevent irritation and reduce the risk of diaper rash. Make sure that you dry your baby’s bottom before making him wear another diaper. That can prevent bacteria, causing diaper rash.
If the signs of rashes are severe, it is important for you to see a doctor immediately to help your baby prevent secondary infection. The list of home remedies for diaper rash we introduced above is helpful, but they still need to be taken after consulting a doctor and under your supervision. Any questions can be left in the comment section of Parenting cate, and we will answer them as soon as we can.
