Home Remedies for Diaper Rash

For every mother taking care of her newborn can be one of the most special and rewarding experiences of her life, however, giving full attention to baby care needs thorough research and proper knowledge. A mother has to undergo several problematic situations while taking care of her baby. One of the most common problems is diaper rash. Therefore, to cater for this worry, this post describes effective home remedies to cure diaper rash.

Diaper rash is a very common concern among babies and children who are users of diapers. It is characterised by rashes in the diaper area, with inflamed red skin and blisters which is usually visible in the upper thighs, genital area and buttocks. Due to diaper rash, children suffer a lot, because they feel very irritable and have itchy skin.

Hence, before understanding the home cure for diaper rash, let us know the causes behind the diaper rash.

Causes Of Diaper Rash

There are several factors that lead to the occurrence of diaper rash.

Prolonged exposure to the wet diaper, as continuous chafing or rubbing leads to skin irritation.
Yeast infections – These are the infections caused due to fungus. It is caused as the diaper area is warm and moist.
Low Brand Diapers/ brand’s cheap replica – the raw materials used in the production of these cheap diapers can be of low quality.
Not keeping the genitals of your baby clean.
Sensitivity to the diaper – In some situations, you may find your baby’s skin too sensitive for the use of any diapers.
When they get older i.e 9 to 12 months old
Sleeping in poopy diapers
When they start eating solid foods
If they are on antibiotics
Introduction to new foods
Rubbing on the infected areas due to diapers
Leaving a wet diaper for too long a time
Due to bacterial infection
Allergic to some soap, scented diapers and scented wipes

Symptoms Of Diaper Rash

To begin with the nappy rash self care routine, it is important to understand about the signs and symptoms of diaper rash:

An evident change in the disposition of the baby or baby being more uncomfortable while changing diapers
Red skin in the diaper region or around thighs, buttocks or genitals
Small blisters
Tiny pimples on the diaper region

One of the most common symptoms of diaper rashes is the sudden appearance of painful, red, swollen, hairless lesions on the thighs and buttocks. This is caused by bacteria, which is why they are often called “diaper rashes.” The bacteria are usually harmless because it is not harmful to the skin. However, it is very painful.

Besides using diaper rash cream and following up with our paediatrician for diaper rash treatment there are few effective home remedies for diaper rash in toddlers.

This article is about Home Remedies for Diaper Rash. We have a wide range of natural remedies for nappy rash. Some of them are natural and organic, and some of them are of different types. Several home remedies for diaper rash are found to be effective at treating the problem, and they are safe!

However, there are some home remedies for a nappy rash that are not effective and may even be dangerous. For example, applying salicylic acid to a cloth diaper is a useful treatment for diaper rash, but it may cause a skin rash. This may be caused by exposure to a chemical that is not effective for the treatment of diaper rash. Below we have a list of natural remedies for diaper rash that can be easily made at home using simple ingredients. It is always better to use organic treatments and opt for home remedies for the nappy rash to cure skin problems in small babies because their skin can be very sensitive to certain ingredients and can react in a way that will not be beneficial for the baby.

1. Mother’s Milk/ Simply Breast Milk

Mother’s milk is one of the safest and the simplest options to treat diaper rashes or is one of the best home remedies for baby diaper rash. It is known to provide your baby with the nutrients it needs to combat various infections in the body, however, at the same time it is also good for alleviating diaper rash. Below we have listed breast milk diaper rash cream recipes that you can try.

Method:

Simply apply a few drops of breast milk on the affected area of your baby’s skin.
Massage it gently and allow it to dry.
This remedy will heal your baby’s rashes quickly and also aid in soothing the skin.

2. Shea Butter

You can apply organic Shea butter on the baby’s skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties which help in combating yeast diaper rash making it one of the best natural remedies for diaper rash. It is a natural moisturiser and analgesic which helps to relieve pain as well. This remedy will also prevent its future occurrence. Follow the simple method described as under for applying this preferred home cure for diaper rash.

Method:

Clean the affected area with lukewarm water.
Now, dry the affected area with the help of a soft towel.
Then apply shea butter on the irritated skin to soothe the itch and pain.
Let the shea butter set on your baby’s skin.

3. Corn starch

If rashes on your baby’s skin have appeared due to lack of moisture, so this is one of the best effective home remedies for diaper rash. Remember, if the diaper rash is due to the yeast infection, then avoid using Corn Starch as it can worsen the condition. A homemade diaper rash cream cornstarch recipe is mentioned below for your reference.

Method:

Firstly gently clean the affected skin of your baby.
Let your baby’s skin get dry completely.
Now take a pinch of cornstarch and sprinkle it on the baby’s affected skin.

4. Coconut Oil

This is one of the best most natural home remedies for diaper rash. Coconut oil will aid in soothing the affected skin, reducing the redness and also itchiness caused by diapers as it is an anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal in nature.

Method:

Wipe your baby’s affected skin gently and let it dry completely.
Apply coconut oil with a cotton swab over the area which has been affected by rashes.

5. Vinegar

As urine is alkaline in nature so it can burn a baby’s skin like an acid. Therefore, for balancing pH value, vinegar is the best option when it comes to diaper rash treatment at home or home remedies for the nappy rash to combat rash and irritation caused by diaper rash.

Method:

Take white vinegar (1 Tbsp) and water (one cup). Mix white vinegar in water. This will form a very weak vinegar solution.
Wipe your baby’s bottom with this solution every time you change diapers. This will in turn make your baby’s bottom resistant to yeast. Further rashes will settle down very quickly.

If you use reusable/ cloth diapers for your baby:

Method:

Take vinegar (half a cup) and water (half-bucket). Mix vinegar in water.
Rinse your baby’s diapers.
This will prevent soap building in diapers and also combats well with urine smell.

6. Petroleum Jelly and Cornstarch

Petroleum Jelly is best for healing diaper rash as it assists in protecting the diaper area from the irritating effects of urine and faeces. Moreover, it prevents further infection. Therefore, this method is also one of the easy home remedies for diaper rash.

Method:

Take two tablespoons of petroleum jelly and a pinch of cornstarch.
Add cornstarch to petroleum jelly.
Mix it well so that it becomes a thick cream.
Then apply this thick cream to the areas which have been affected by diaper rashes.
Let it settle down for 10- 15 minutes. And then wipe out the cream with lukewarm water.
Let the area dry.

7. Olive Oil

Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties hence it is considered best as a home remedy for diaper rash. Make sure olive oil should be organic in nature.

Method:

Firstly wipe your baby’s affected skin with clean water.
Make sure your baby’s skin is completely dry before you apply olive oil.
Take Olive Oil (1-2 tbsp) and water (1 tbsp). Mix olive oil and water so well that it becomes a white milky emulsion.
Apply this mixture to the baby’s skin which has been affected by rashes.

8. Bath with warm water

For healing the diaper rash, bathe your baby with warm water. Make sure the water should not so warm. This is one of the most effective home remedies for diaper rash for babies. It is also the safest nappy rash home remedies also since it does not require the application of any cream or other ingredient on the baby’s skin.

Method:

Fill the baby’s bathtub with lukewarm water.
Make your baby sit in that lukewarm water tub for 10-15 minutes.
Takeout your baby from the water. Use a very soft towel and wipe it very gently.

9. Cranberry juice

As one of the major causes of skin rash is long exposure to urine causing irritation, cranberry juice will help in balancing the alkaline content, with anti-inflammatory properties helping in providing relief to inflamed skin around the diaper region making it one of the best home remedies for baby rashes.

Method:

Give 2-3 tablespoons of cranberry juice, once daily

10. Oatmeal bath

Oatmeal contains saponins, protein and anti-inflammatory properties helping in soothing diaper rashes.

Method:

Add around 1 tablespoon of oatmeal to your baby’s bath
Allow the baby in the water for around 15 minutes
Pat dry

11. Breast Milk

Breast milk is also an effective remedy for your baby’s diaper rashes.

Method:

You have to take a few drops of breast milk and rub it on the rashes affected areas and leave it to dry or you can put the breast milk directly on the fresh diaper for the best result.

12. Yoghurt

Plain yoghurt can also treat diaper rashes and their inflammation.

Method:

You have to put a thick yoghurt on the affected areas of your baby and soon the rashes will disappear in a few days. Always use the yoghurt at room temperature in the affected area for the best results.

Since your kid’s teeth have come out, its time for them to take care of their oral health. Dig in to make brushing fun for babies.

13. Aloe Vera

If your baby is suffering from severe inflammation, then you can also use aloe vera gel. You can use fresh gel or the bottle, both will give a good result.

Method:

Apply the layer of aloe vera gel on the affected areas of your baby. It will soothe the rashes quickly.

14. Baking Soda

Baking soda removes bacterial and fungal infections from the body and helps in balancing the pH levels of the body.

Method:

Take two tablespoons of baking soda and mix it in warm water and wash the rashes with this warm water. Pat dry and let the rashes dry in the air.

So, these were the best home remedies for diaper rash. Hope, you will find it useful.

Preventive Measures For Diaper Rash

Other than using diaper rash home remedies, follow these precautionary tips to avoid diaper rash and maintain the health and happiness of your baby’s bottom.

Change Diapers Frequently

Replacement of diapers on a regular basis helps keep your baby’s diapers dry and minimises the chance of diaper rash and discomfort.

Use Clean Towel

To avoid friction and irritation, gently pat your baby’s skin dry with a clean, soft towel after cleansing with warm water. This is an essential cure for diaper rash home remedies.

Keep it Clean

As part of your diaper-changing routine, make sure to give your baby’s bottom a thorough cleaning to avoid irritation and infection. Use warm water to gently cleanse it.

Keep Sanitation

By washing your hands well after changing your baby’s diaper, you can reduce the chance of spreading bacteria and viruses and give your child a healthy environment.

Use Disposable Diapers

Using disposable diapers minimises moisture exposure and lowers the risk of diaper rash development. They are also more convenient and absorbent.

Use Accurate Size Of Your Child’s Diaper

Selecting the appropriate size for your baby’s diapers guarantees a tight fit, preventing leaks and lowering friction that can cause diaper rash.

Use Soothing Creams

Using a mild diaper cream with zinc oxide or other similar substances creates a barrier that protects and soothes sensitive skin, as well as helps diaper rash recover.

When To See A Doctor?

If even after using the diaper rash at home remedies, there is no improvement in the baby’s skin or it is severe, bleeds, is accompanied by fever etc seek medical assistance immediately.
Note:
Do not use the diapers until the rashes get cured completely as continuous use can aggravate the condition.
Give your baby a daily bath. Always keep the genitals of your baby clean with the help of freshwater.
Keep the diaper area moisturised and nourished with the help of a good baby lotion.
Do not apply any chemical-based oil, unless it has been prescribed by the doctor.
Always wipe your baby with a soft towel and that too very gently.
Prevention is always better than cure. Read the article “How to avoid diaper rash” so that your baby never faces such a situation.

Disclaimer: Please remember, the above-mentioned home remedies to cure diaper rash is a general solution. If the rashes seem to be worsened, please consult the doctor immediately. Diaper rashes when left untreated can lead to many other consequences.
FAQs On Home Remedies For Diaper Rash

How Do You Get Rid Of Diaper Rash Naturally?

Want to know a few of the best home remedies for diaper rash? You have come to the right place. There are several natural and easy diaper rash home remedies such as using aloe vera gel to reduce inflammation, chamomile tea, breast milk to soothe and heal the area, oatmeal bath to reduce redness, applying essential oils, and many more/

2. Does coconut oil help with diaper rash?

Yes, coconut oil can help with diaper rash. It is one the best natural home remedies for diaper rash in toddlers. Coconut oil has natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help soothe the skin and prevent infection. It also contains medium-chain fatty acids that can help nourish and protect the skin barrier.

To use coconut oil for diaper rash, gently clean and dry the affected area, then apply a thin layer of coconut oil to the rash. Reapply as needed with each diaper change. It is always a good idea to patch test a small area of skin first and talk to your paediatrician before trying any new home remedy for nappy rash.

3. How fast can diaper rash heal?

The speed at which diaper rash heals can vary depending on several factors, such as the severity of the rash, the cause of the rash, and the treatment used. In general, mild cases of diaper rash can clear up within 2 to 3 days with home remedies for diaper rash, while more severe cases may take up to a week or more to heal completely.

To speed up the healing process, it is important to keep the affected area clean and dry, change the diaper frequently, and use gentle and natural home remedies for a nappy rash that can help soothe and protect the skin. If the rash does not improve or gets worse despite treatment, it is important to seek medical advice from a healthcare professional. They may prescribe medication or recommend further testing to identify and address the underlying cause of the rash.

4. Can Diaper Rash Be A Sign Of A More Serious Condition?

Diaper rashes can sometimes indicate more serious illnesses like bacterial dermatitis or fungal infections. In rare instances, it might point to a sensitivity or food allergy. In order to rule out underlying conditions and guarantee appropriate treatment, persistent or severe rashes need to be examined by a doctor, followed by some home remedies to cure diaper rash.

5. Can Cloth Diapers Help Prevent Diaper Rash?

When compared to disposable diapers, cloth diapers allow for improved ventilation and less moisture build-up, which can help reduce diaper rash. Additionally, they usually include less chemicals that cause skin irritation. Regardless of the type of diaper, though, maintaining good hygiene and changing them frequently are necessary to reduce the chance of diaper rash.

6. Can Teething Cause Diaper Rash?

Teething increases saliva production, which results in acidic stools that irritate the skin and indirectly cause diaper rash. Additionally, dietary modifications made during teething may have an impact on the consistency of stools, which could lead to diaper rash. Using protective creams and effective diaper rash at home remedies can help reduce discomfort during this time.

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If you are aware of any home remedies for diaper rash, please do let us know in the comments below.

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Post graduate in Masters of Business Administration from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She live with a notion “SIMPLE LIVING, HIGH THINKING” and have an optimistic approach towards life. Always eager to learn new things... She loves to write blogs on parenting. She is the Co-founder of "Budding Star".

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