Contrary to popular belief, diaper rash is not a sign of parental neglect.
This type of skin inflammation is common among babies who wear diapers. Allergy or infection is the reason of this rash.
Mayo Clinic says “prolonged exposure to urine or stool” is the most typical reason of diaper rash. Because it irritates baby’s sensitive skin. It’s also possible to for the baby’s skin to become irritated from the chemicals in the disposable diaper [1]
Other likely culprits include new foods, bacterial infection, yeast infection, and antibiotics.
It’s very important to change diapers often, and to identify the root cause of the problem.
In this article, you will find home remedies for diaper rash. It will provide immediate relief from this problem.
12 Natural Remedies for Diaper Rash
1. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is a “medicine chest staple” touted for its healing properties.
It’s also considered by many as an effective “beauty secret”. It can help treat minor wounds, ease chapped lips, keep skin moisturized, and reduce skin irritation.
Studies have shown that it works as treatment for diaper rash [1, 2]. Petroleum jelly provides a protective barrier against skin irritation [1, 2].
It also protects the skin against infection by sealing baby’s sensitive skin from moisture [3].
Petroleum jelly is not advisable to use in hot and humid countries as it can give too much warmth on the skin.
How you may use petroleum jelly:
Take 1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly, cotton towel, 3 cups of warm water, and a new diaper.
Remove soiled diaper. Use warm water to wash your baby’s bottom. Pat it dry with a clean cotton towel. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Put on new diaper. Do this every time you change your baby’s diaper.
2. Shea Butter
Shea butter comes from a native tree in Africa that takes 20 years to bear fruit [4]. It is a white or pale yellow colored fat that’s derived from the fruit’s large seeds [4].
Some refer to this butter as “women’s gold” as it is being used for various beauty purposes [4].
In traditional medicine, folk healers also rely on this remedy. Because it has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties [5].
Nigerian researchers explain that shea butter contains alkaloids, tannins, glycosides and saponins. These components can inhibit the growth and spread of many bacterial strains [5].
These include Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi and Proteus mirabilis, among others [5].
Scientists include shea butter in the list of useful remedies for diaper rash [6]. Shea butter relieves skin irritation. It can also help prevent yeast or bacterial infection.
Learn how you may use shea butter:
For this remedy, you will need: 3 cups of warm water, cotton towel, 1 tablespoon of shea butter, and a new diaper.
Remove baby’s soiled diaper. Wash baby’s bottom with warm water. Gently dry with a towel. Rub shea butter on the rashes. Leave it on for five minutes before putting on new diaper. Repeat procedure everytime you change baby’s diaper.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an all-around household cleaner and remedy that has been used for many years.
It is also a versatile remedy whose uses will astound you.
Here are some of the things that you may not know about baking soda. It’s an inexpensive but effective remedy for stomach pain, cough, digestive problems, and sore throat.
It can neutralize acid in the stomach, destroy fungi, parasites and molds. It can also reduce inflammation and other symptoms of gout, and boost kidney function.
If your baby has diaper rash, you would also want to turn to this remedy for quick results.
For one, it offers fast relief from diaper rash by neutralizing the skin’s pH balance. Moreover, it inhibits the growth and spread of bacteria and yeast, which cause infection [7].
Here is a simple method of using baking soda:
To prepare this remedy, you will need: 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 3 cups of warm water, a washcloth, and dry towel.
Mix baking soda in warm water. Soak washcloth in the solution. Rub washcloth on baby’s bottom. Dry it with a towel. Do this once a day for one week or until rashes subside.
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4. Cornstarch
Two factors that worsen diaper rash are moisture and friction [8].
One way cornstarch helps with diaper rash is that it absorbs moisture to keep baby’s bottom dry.
Another way is that it protects against the frictional injury [9].
Cornstarch powder can inhibit the growth of infection-causing yeast known as Candida albicans [9].
Microorganisms need moisture to thrive, survive and absorb nutrients. By keeping the skin dry, it prevents them from causing infection on the skin [9].
An easy way of using cornstarch:
For this remedy, you will need: 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 3 cups of warm water, clean cloth, and a new diaper.
Remove soiled diaper. Clean baby’s bottom with warm water. Dry the skin with clean cloth. Sprinkle cornstarch on baby’s bottom. Put on new diaper. Repeat each time you change a diaper until rashes disappear.
5. Coconut Oil
There are many wonderful benefits that you can enjoy from using coconut oil. This is one of the healthiest oils in the world. It is a natural source of saturated fats. It can help increase the levels of good cholesterol while toning down levels of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Coconut oil helps strengthen the heart. It can also reduce the risk of heart disease and other serious ailments.
Coconut and its different parts have medicinal properties such as antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic and antibacterial [10]. Coconut oil is in fact an efficient way to kill bacteria and fungi that cause diaper rash.
It’s also a great way to keep baby’s skin moisturized. Plus, it’s mild enough to use on your baby’s sensitive skin. This oil will resolve the issue without causing any other unpleasant side effects.
How you may use coconut oil:
Add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to warm bath water. Use it for bathing baby. Do it everyday until rashes diminish.
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6. Vinegar
Some people think of vinegar as nothing more than a flavoring in cooking. Actually, people have been using vinegar since the 6th century to treat wounds and keep diseases at bay. Even Hippocrates have used vinegar in alleviating ailments.
In the 10th century, Chinese used vinegar to disinfect wounds and treat poison ivy. It can also reduce fever and inflammation.
The therapeutic properties of vinegar should not come as a surprise. The fermentation process equips it with bioactive compounds like caffeic acid, acetic acid, catechins, and gallic acid.
For your baby’s irritated skin, vinegar is a viable solution. Among the countless uses of vinegar is for fighting infections [11]. It can also help control the growth of yeast and neutralize the alkalinity of urine. These make it an ideal remedy for diaper rash.
Vinegar is a good way to balance the pH level in baby’s skin.
Learn how you may use vinegar:
In 1 cup of water, add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar. Wipe baby’s bottom with this solution after changing diaper. Let it dry before putting a new diaper.
7. Plantain Oil
Did you know that people have been using plantain for many years to purify the blood and treat organ engorgement?
Many of the plant’s parts—roots, flowers, seeds and leaves—can treat many types of ailments.
You can take it as a tea tincture. It can prevent poisoning in the blood, remove toxins, and resolve bladder and kidney problems.
Applied as a paste, it can soothe many types of skin conditions as well as disinfect wounds and scratches. For mothers looking for a solution to their babies’ diaper rash:
Try using plantain oil.
Plantain oil boasts of “powerful skin-healing properties” [12]. It has effective astringent activity that helps in the treatment of rashes. This oil also moisturizes the skin, eases itching and speeds up healing.
Here is a simple method of plantain oil:
For this remedy, you will need: 5 drops of plantain oil, 3 cups of warm water, clean dry towel, and a new diaper.
Remove baby’s soiled diaper. Clean baby’s bottom with warm water. Dry it using a clean towel. Apply a few drops of plantain oil and spread on baby’s skin. Put on new diaper.
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8. French Green Clay
Have you ever tried using natural clay?
If not, it’s high time that you consider including it in your arsenal of home remedies. Natural clays have been popular since the ancient times for their healing powers [12]. One of those that can help relieve diaper rash and prevent it from spreading is French green clay.
French green clay is a kind of natural mineral clay that consists of decomposed plant materials. It is rich in minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and calcium.
It is also known for its absorbent properties.
For diaper rash, French green clay can destroy bacteria causing the infection. It promotes faster healing [13]. It’s a quick and efficient way to ease skin irritation and cut unpleasant symptoms caused by diaper rash.
How to use french green clay:
For this remedy, you will need 1 tablespoon of French green clay. After bathing baby, apply French green clay on affected areas. Wait for a while before putting on diaper. Repeat every day until rashes heal.
9. Oatmeal
A bowl of oatmeal is a great way to start the day.
It is rich in dietary fiber, which is beneficial for the health. It also supplies the body with over 80 important nutrients. Oatmeal also has a plethora of amazing benefits for the skin.
It can help treat acne, make the skin glow, prevent dryness, and protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Moreover, this is also a simple and cheap way to treat diaper rashes. Rich in protein, oatmeal can soothe baby’s skin. It also offers a protective layer against infections [14]. It has anti-itch activities, which treats itchy and painful diaper rash.
With its active chemical called saponin, it can get rid of dirt and bacteria [15]. It works by suppressing the growth and spread of pathogenic bacteria on the skin [15].
Learn how you may use oatmeal:
Add 1 tablespoon of dried oatmeal to bath water. Use this to bathe baby. Do this twice a day for quick relief from diaper rash.
10. Vitamin E Oil
Most people are aware how important vitamin E is in maintaining top health. It reduces the risk of many ailments.
Did you know that you can apply vitamin E in the form of oil extract to skin?
Vitamin E oil is actually often included in diaper rash ointment and cream products [16].
Packed with antioxidants, it is a great way to speed up skin healing and regeneration.
It also works to moisturize the skin and keep it from drying out.
Here is a simple method of using vitamin E oil:
For this remedy, you will need vitamin E oil capsules. Prick capsule with a pin. Squeeze out the oil. Apply oil on baby’s bottom. Repeat once or twice a day until rashes disappear.
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11. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. A mild warm Epsom salt bath can treat the inflamed skin and diaper rashes of your baby at the earliest. Epsom salt has no side effects or allergic risk to your little one.
How to use epsom salt:
Mix ½ cup of epsom salt in lukewarm water. Soak your baby in the salt solution for 10-15 minutes. Repeat the treatment for several days until the rashes subsides.
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12. Aloe Vera Gel
The succulent Aloe vera leaves are superb home remedies for many skin disorders. Aloe gel is very mild, cool, and soothing to the tender skin of your baby. It contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial components. These components can relieve the skin irritation and rashes fast. (17)
Learn how you may use aloe vera gel:
For this remedy, you will need 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel. Apply the aloe gel on the inflamed skin using your finger tips. Repeat the treatment 2-3 times daily to get rid of diaper rash in babies.
When to See a Doctor
Diaper rash is not deadly. But it can make your baby’s life miserable if you are not careful. Though you can treat it at home, you should consult a doctor if you see the following symptoms:
- Your baby has fever.
- The rash appears within the first few weeks after the baby’s birth.
- If you see blisters, pimples, bumps along with the rash.
- If the rash spreads other parts of the body.
Final Note
Diaper rash is one of the most common concerns of parents with babies.
With these simple home remedies, your baby will get relief from diaper rashes. These remedies are not only effective but also safe to use on your baby’s sensitive skin.
Hope this article was helpful to you. To ask any question, please leave a comment in our comment section. Also, don’t forget to share your experience.
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