Contrary to popular belief, diaper rash is not a sign of parental neglect.
This type of skin inflammation caused by allergy or infection is common among babies who wear diapers.
The most typical cause according to Mayo Clinic is “prolonged exposure to urine or stool” that irritates baby’s sensitive skin.
It’s also possible to for the baby’s sensitive skin to become irritated from the chemicals in the disposable diaper [1]
Other likely culprits include new foods, bacterial infection, yeast infection, and use of antibiotics.
It’s very important to change diapers often, as well as to identify the root cause of the problem.
Also, here are some practical home remedies for diaper rash to provide immediate relief from this problem.
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12 Natural Remedies for Diaper Rash
1. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is described by Wikipedia as a “medicine chest staple” touted for its healing properties.
It’s also considered by many as an effective “beauty secret”.
Those who use this remedy know that it can help treat minor wounds, alleviate chapped lips, keep skin moisturized, and minimize skin irritation, among others.
Studies have shown that it works effectively as treatment for diaper rash [1, 2].
It has been found that 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].
It’s important to note however that petroleum jelly is not advisable to use in hot and humid countries as it can give too much warmth on the skin.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly
- Cotton towel
- 3 cups of warm water
- New diaper
Recommended Directions:
- 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 everytime 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, as it has been found to have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties [5].
Nigerian researchers explain that shea butter contains alkaloids, tannins, glycosides and saponins that can inhibit the growth and spread of many bacterial strains [5].
These include Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenterie, Salmonella typhi and Proteus mirabilis, among others [5].
Scientists include shea butter in the list of useful remedies for diaper rash [6].
Not only does shea butter relieve skin irritation, it can also help prevent yeast or bacterial infection.
What You’ll Need:
- 3 cups of warm water
- Cotton towel
- 1 tablespoon of shea butter
- New diaper
Recommended Directions:
- 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 probably don’t know about baking soda:
It’s an inexpensive but effective remedy for stomach pain, cough, digestive problems, and sore throat.
It can also neutralize acid in the stomach, destroy harmful microorganisms such as fungi, parasites and molds, 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].
What You’ll Need:
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- 3 cups of warm water
- Wash cloth
- Dry towel
Recommended Directions:
- Mix baking soda in warm water.
- Soak washcloth in the solution.
- Rub washcloth gently on baby’s bottom.
- Dry it with a towel.
- Do this once a day for one week or until rashes subside.
RELATED: How to Use Baking Soda for Diaper Rash Treatment
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].
A researcher from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine explains that application of cornstarch powder on the skin inhibited the growth of infection-causing yeast known as Candida albicans [9].
Microorganisms need moisture to thrive, survive and absorb nutrients, and by keeping the skin dry, it prevents them from causing infection on the skin [9].
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 3 cups of warm water
- Clean cloth
- New diaper
Recommended Directions:
- Remove soiled diaper.
- Clean baby’s bottom with warm water.
- Dry skin gently 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 indeed one of the healthiest oils in the world.
It is a natural source of saturated fats that can help increase the levels of good cholesterol while toning down levels of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream.
By doing so, coconut oil helps strengthen the heart, and reduce the risk of heart disease and other serious ailments.
As you probably know, coconut and its different parts have also been found to 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.
You can have peace of mind knowing that this oil will resolve the issue without causing any other unpleasant side effects.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- Warm bath water
Recommended Directions:
- Add coconut oil to warm water.
- Use it for bathing baby.
- Do it everyday until rashes diminish.
RELATED: How to Effectively Use Coconut Oil for Diaper Rash
6. Vinegar
Some people think of vinegar as nothing more than a flavoring in cooking.
Actually, vinegar has been used since the 6th century to treat wounds and keep diseases at bay.
Even Hippocrates is said to have used vinegar in alleviating ailments.
In the 10th century, Chinese used vinegar to disinfect wounds, reduce fever, alleviate inflammation and treat poison ivy.
The therapeutic properties of vinegar should not come as a surprise since the fermentation process equips it with bioactive compounds like caffeic acid, acetic acid, catechins, and gallic acid.
For your baby whose skin is irritated, 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, which make it an ideal remedy for diaper rash.
Vinegar is a good way to balance the pH level in baby’s skin.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of white vinegar
Recommended Directions:
- Add vinegar to water.
- 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 plantain has been used for many years to purify the blood and treat organ engorgement?
Many of the plant’s parts—roots, flowers, seeds and leaves—can be used externally and internally in alleviating many types of ailments.
Taken as tea tincture, it can prevent poisoning in the blood, remove toxins in the body, and resolve bladder and kidney problems.
Applied topically 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 gentle but highly effective astringent activity that helps in the treatment of rashes.
This oil also moisturizes the skin, eases itching and speeds up healing.
What You’ll Need:
- 5 drops of plantain oil
- 3 cups of warm water
- Clean dry towel
- New diaper
Recommended Directions:
- Remove baby’s soiled diaper.
- Clean baby’s bottom with warm water.
- Dry it gently using a clean towel.
- Apply a few drops of plantain oil and spread evenly on baby’s skin.
- Put on new diaper.
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 used 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 is made up of decomposed plant materials, and 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 and promote faster healing [13].
It’s a quick and efficient way to ease skin irritation and minimize unpleasant symptoms caused by diaper rash.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of French green clay
Recommended Directions:
- 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 surely a great way to start the day.
Not only is it rich in dietary fiber that’s highly 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 and at the same time, offer a protective layer against infections [14].
It also has anti-itch activities, which is practical in treating 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].
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of dried oatmeal
- Bath water
Recommended Directions:
- Add oatmeal to warm 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, and reducing the risk of many ailments.
Did you know that vitamin E in the form of oil extract can be topically applied to benefit the 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.
What You’ll Need:
- Vitamin E oil capsules
Recommended Directions:
- Prick capsule with a pin.
- Squeeze out the oil.
- Apply oil on baby’s bottom.
- Repeat once or twice a day until rashes disappear.
RELATED: 8 Vitamins for Acne Prone Skin That You Should Know
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.
What You’ll Need:
- ½ cup of Epsom salt
- Lukewarm water
Recommended Directions:
- Combine Epsom salt in a tub or bowl of warm water and mix well.
- Soak your baby in the salt solution for 10-15 minutes.
- Repeat the treatment for several days until the rashes subsides.
12. Aloe Vera
The succulent Aloe vera leaves are superb home remedies for a number of skin disorders. Aloe gel is very mild, cool, and soothing to the tender skin of your baby. The potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial components in aloe vera gel can relieve the skin irritation and rashes fast. (17)
What You’ll Need:
- 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel
Recommended Directions:
- Simply 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.
Conclusion
Diaper rash is one of the most common concerns of parents with babies.
The good thing is, with these simple and practical home remedies, your baby no longer has to suffer from the pain and discomfort caused by diaper rashes.
These remedies are not only effective but also safe to use on your baby’s sensitive skin.
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