How to Naturally Treat Diaper Rash

A diaper rash is one of the most common health conditions that your baby might encounter. It can alarm parents and annoy babies. Diaper rash affects approximately 25% of infants and occurs most commonly in infants between ages 9 and 12 months.

Diaper rashes impacts Newborns because of the several diaper changes per day and can also impact older babies soiling their diapers without it being noticed for a while, diaper rash is bound to occur at one point or another.

 

What Can Cause a Diaper Rash

The rash generally is caused by a combination of moisture, acid in urine or stool, and chaffing of diaper fabric on your baby's skin. Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea may also cause diaper rash, as prolonged exposure to stool may irritate a baby’s skin.

Some babies also get a rash from the detergent used to launder cloth diapers, or from plastic pants, elastic, or certain types of disposable diapers and wipes. Sometimes a yeast infection may be the cause of a rash.

Diaper rash is challenging to treat since it can be caused or worsened by diaper use or other factors, such as a yeast infection, an allergic reaction, or a bacterial infection.

Some children are more prone to diaper rash because of food allergies. If your child has chronic diaper rash identifying and removing a food allergen can help. If the problem is specifically yeast, sometimes removing refined sugar can help a lot, because yeast loves to feed off it.

In extreme cases it could also be caused by a lack of good bacteria in the digestive system. Giving the child probiotic supplements, found in powder or liquid form at natural food stores, can restore the good bacteria, but check with your healthcare practitioner before starting this type of treatment.

 

Diaper Rash Symptoms

• The rash causes reddish, puffy, irritated skin in the diaper area, marked by red, tender-looking skin in the diaper region — buttocks, thighs and genitals.
• You may notice your baby seems more uncomfortable than usual, especially during diaper changes. A baby with a diaper rash often fusses or cries when the diaper area is washed or touched.
  

 

Diaper Rash Treatment

While there are many commercially prepared ointments and creams available for diaper rash, there are more simple ways to heal the red, irritated skin.

Here are 6 effective all-natural ways to treat your baby's diaper rash.  

 

1. Natural Baby Diaper Balm

Here is the good news: most diaper rashes are easy to treat and most will disappear by applying a good quality diaper balm. It can start responding to treatments right away. Combining few natural ingredients together, you can create your own diaper rash home remedies. Or you can try a great product like the Canadian made Planet Baby Diaper Balm which delivers natural ingredients, without toxic additives and it is Cloth Diaper safe!

Planet Baby diaper baby balm, Protects and Treats Diaper Rash. This all-natural product is chemical, perfume and colour free. Made using only certified organic herbs, pure essential oils, and fair-trade butter. 

Every container is handmade in Canada from organic ingredients and 100% natural ingredient. Planet Baby diaper rash cream packs several herbal extracts into one non-toxic formula. With aloe vera, echinacea extract, lavender essential oil and chamomile essential oil, this mess-free, lotion-like cream moisturizes your baby’s bum, reduces inflammation and redness, kills bacteria and promotes healing. It is free of synthetic ingredients, parabens, sulfates and other toxins, so you can feel guilt-free using it over and over again after each diaper change to prevent future rashes.

  

A gentle blend of certified organic calendula flowers, certified organic sunflower oil, cider vinegar and beeswax.

Calendula Flowers

Calendula, an extract of marigold that helps the skin to heal. The best form for diaper rash is a water-based cream. It’s also anti-microbial, which means it fights organism growth and it’s anti-inflammatory, which helps alleviate discomfort.

People have been using the flower petals of Calendula for medicinal purposes for many years. High number of flavonoids are contained in the plant which is helpful to protect the body against cell damaging free radicals.

The plant has anti-viral, anti-genotoxic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Calendula flowers contain saponins which produce the anti-inflammatory properties. According to pharmacological studies in Europe, calendula flowers promote metabolism of proteins and collagen. This also means, that they help to grow new, healthy cells.

Calendula is typically used as a local remedy for its antiseptic and healing properties in treating burns, skin infections, punctures, cuts, scrapes, abrasions, blisters, scalds, rashes (including diaper rash), acne and athletes foot.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is the base in Planet Baby diaper balm ointment. We use certified organic sunflower oil which is unrefined (no degumming, defoaming, bleaching, deodorizing etc.) and are GMO-free. It does not require hydrogenation, a process used in many commercial oils to extend shelf life. The oil is cold-pressed on demand on a local farm where the sunflowers are grown organically without the use of pesticides or herbicides. The oil is bottled quickly to retain all of its nutritional value. It is 100% pure and contains no additives. 

Beeswax

Beeswax provides the skin with a variety of benefits, including anti-inflammatory, germicidal, and antibacterial elements. Each of these benefits helps fight against diaper rash by calming and soothing the skin in a comfortable and natural way. It also provides a protective barrier for the skin and helps hold the other ingredients to the skin so they can be effective.

 

2. Bath Your Baby Daily

Until the rash clears up, give your baby a bath each day. Use warm water with mild, fragrance-free soap. 

 

3. Increase Airflow and Air Dry

One of the main causes of diaper rash is the lack of air circulating around your infant's bottom. Air out your baby's skin by letting him or her go without a diaper and ointment for short periods of time after a rash appears, perhaps three times a day for 10 minutes each time, such as during naps. Avoid airtight plastic pants and diaper covers. Use diapers that are larger than usual until the rash goes away.

If you do this a few times a day for three to five days this should help speed healing.

 

4. Prompt Diaper Changes Helps Keep Your Baby Dry and Clean

The best way to keep your baby's diaper area clean and dry is by changing diapers immediately after they are wet or soiled. Until the rash is better, this may mean getting up during the night to change the diaper. After you've gently cleaned and dried the skin, apply a baby balm or cream. 

 

5. Use Reusable Washcloths Instead of Wipes

Another way to prevent irritation in the diaper area is to switch from using reusable wipes to using softer natural baby washcloths with plain water. Planet Baby reusable bamboo wipes are perfect for diaper changes. They are soft and gentle and large enough to take care of the mess with typically one wipe! Sometimes baby wipes can irritate the skin because of preservatives used in the solution in many wet wipes. By using plain water after diapering, you allow the baby to get some relief from the solution. The baby may dry faster using plain water applies to washcloths as well, which will also help heal the rash.

 

6. Consider Using Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is hydrating and soothing. It also provides a moderate amount of barrier protection.

One of the most natural products to fit into this category is one you may already have at home: coconut oil. This remedy may be especially helpful for diaper rash caused by yeast, as multiple published studies confirm coconut oil is a powerful antifungal.

 

When to See a Doctor

Most of the time, the non-toxic, naturally derived remedies are the more effective ones. Natural remedies can address the root issue behind a bad diaper rash, such as imbalanced pH levels or bacterial infection. Find what works best for your baby and use it after each diaper change to prevent future diaper rashes.

If your baby's skin does not improve after a few days of home treatment, talk with your doctor. Sometimes, you'll need a prescription medication to treat diaper rash.

Various diaper rash medications are available without a prescription. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for specific recommendations. Zinc oxide is the active ingredient in many diaper rash products. They are usually applied to the rash throughout the day to soothe and protect your baby's skin. 

Be sure to see your child’s pediatrician if the rash worsens or if you see blisters in the diaper area.

• Is severe or unusual.
• Gets worse despite home treatment.
• Bleeds, itches, or oozes
• Causes burning or pain with urination or a bowel movement.
• Is accompanied by a fever.

If the diaper rash is causing open sores, we recommend not putting any products on it because it might sting. First, get it under control by keeping the area dry and clean.

You should consult a professional if the diaper rash persists for more than 2-3 days after treating it, or if the diaper rash is recurrent and very upsetting to the child.