10 Natural Ways to Soothe and Prevent Diaper Rash
Diaper rashes are one of the most troublesome issues faced by parents, and their prevention becomes a challenge due to the baby’s sensitive skin.
Mild diaper rash is one of the most common phenomena in babies and can be soothed with some home remedies.
Diaper rashes may appear pink, red, or purple, depending upon their age. They may also be in the form of pimples, blisters, or even pus, depicting inflammation and causing excessive discomfort to the babies.
It is a result of moisture, friction due to the diapers, or reactions of the diaper materials with stool and urine.
Irrespective of its constant appearance, there are some effective natural ways to relieve baby diaper rash and thus promote their happy smiles and peaceful sleep.
This blog is all about highlighting the top 10 tips to prevent diaper rash naturally.
8 Causes of Diaper Rash
It is not possible to keep the baby diaper-free all the time, and sometimes, excess diaper time may end up causing a diaper rash. This happens due to various reasons, like:
- A tight diaper, encouraging moistness and warmth.
- A loose diaper, causing friction with the skin.
- Baby’s initiation of solid foods or the presence of citrus food, tomatoes, or antibiotics in the breast milk.
- Baby is undergoing teething. High saliva formation during this process enhances more fluid in the gut.
- Restricted air flow in the diaper region.
- Infrequent changing of diapers.
- Improper drying of the diaper region.
The Benefits of Natural Remedies
The chemical treatments might be instantly effective compared to the natural ones, but the cure is at the surface level.
The natural remedies for diaper rash work as a holistic improvisation for the baby's overall health, besides being a boon to the baby's sensitive skin.
The gentleness of the natural remedies promotes a degree of healthy collagen boost in the developing baby’s skin, thus guaranteeing its effectiveness.
Also, there are no side effects of some harsh chemicals, despite the products claiming to be baby-friendly.
Let us discuss some of the best home remedies for diaper rash.
Top 10 Natural Tips to Prevent Diaper Rash
In the rising tilt towards organic and natural utilization of resources around us, natural remedies are also a part of a healthy overall health and development.
Also, natural remedies can work magic while maintaining the sensitivity of a baby's skin.
Hence, some of the best natural treatments for diaper rash are as follows:
1. Breast Milk
Breast milk is the most effective antidote for a child, being their only source of food. It is responsible for the overall growth and development of the babies due to the presence of all the essential immunity boosting agents and antibodies.
This makes breast milk the panacea for every baby’s problem including the diaper rash.
Taking a small amount and applying it on the affected region can help soothe the diaper rash to a great extent. Regular application can help prevent it with time.
Also, remember that although you can apply cold breast milk but avoid using a frozen one to protect the baby’s skin from temperature shock.
Breast milk also keeps the skin moisturized by maintaining the skin hydration.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is ladened with tons of antioxidants and skin-rejuvenating properties. It is widely used for skin moisturization and skin healing.
It also helps in the removal of the dry, flaky, or broken skin with its regular application due to the presence of essential fatty acids and vitamins in it.
Further, it protects the diaper region from excess skin irritation and skin infection, besides preventing the formation of a diaper rash.
A thin coating of coconut oil on the affected region can act as a barrier to skin and excreta, thus protecting the sensitive skin.
3. Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal, being a cleansing agent works wonders and is one of the most effective home remedies for diaper rash.
Benefits:
- Helps in exfoliating the diaper region.
- Drains out moisture from the diaper region.
- Prevents and soothes redness and swelling due to its soothing and cooling properties.
- Protects from further skin infection and irritation.
Make an oatmeal baby bathwater and soak the baby into it for around 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing and patting the baby dry.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel is an excellent skin repairing and rejuvenation expert. It can also be used in DIY diaper creams for its consistent effectiveness.
Benefits:
- Has high collagen boosting and pain relieving properties.
- Ability to smoothen out the broken or flaky skin.
- Reduces redness and swelling due to its cooling and soothing properties.
- Prevention of skin irritation when in contact with stool and urine, owing to its antiseptic property.
- High pH-balancing potential to neutralize the acidity in the diaper region.
- Regulates the sebum production due to its balanced greasy properties.
Regular application of aloe vera gel on the affected region and letting it absorb into the skin can work its charm on the skin.
All this makes it an amazing natural remedy for diaper rash.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective home remedies for diaper rash. It helps in:
- Balancing out the pH of the diaper region.
- Supporting skin hydration by absorbing excess moisture.
- Regulating natural sebum production, thus promoting healthy skin health.
- Preventing the spread of further skin infections.
- Reduction and recurrence of red bumps and inflammation.
Adding the apple cider vinegar, diluted in water, into the baby’s bathing water or direct application on the affected region helps in neutralizing the acidic nature of the affected area while preventing diaper rashes.
Disclaimer: Despite its healing properties, do not use ACV directly on the skin or in case of open sores or broken skin, as this might increase the trouble.
6. Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most effective home remedies for diaper rash because of its:
- Potential to remove the dead skin cells.
- Potential to neutralize the pH in the diaper region.
- Soothing effect due to its anti-itching properties.
- Antiseptic properties that prevent the growth of microbes in the groin region.
- Excellent moisture-absorbing agent
- Prevention of possible fungal infections.
- Potential to reduce swelling.
Soaking your baby in baking soda bath water solution for a few minutes or applying its paste to the affected region can help soothe the skin from diaper rash.
Ensure to limit its usage because of its drying properties and pat dry with a soft towel after cleaning it with lukewarm water.
7. Yogurt
Yogurt is one of the best natural treatments for diaper rash due to:
- Its probiotic property helps in skin restoration.
- Cooling effect that reduces redness and inflammation.
- Its consumption leads to good digestion in babies.
- Its potential to prevent bacterial or fungal infections.
Yogurt depicts a two-dimensional benefit, both from within and from outside.
Just a little application on the affected area or a dip in the yogurt bath water for 10 minutes can help reduce the recurrence or persistence of a diaper rash.
However, be mindful to use natural yogurt and not flavored ones to enhance the results.
8. Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt has magnesium, along with anti-itch, anti-inflammation, and skin restorative properties.
The presence of magnesium also helps in the extraction of excess moisture from the diaper region.
Adding one tablespoon of epsom salt in the baby's bathwater with a drop of chamomile essential oil and soaking the baby for around 5 to 10 minutes in the solution helps in relieving the diaper rash.
It is also known to promote good bowel movement, due to which it is recommended to limit its exposure to prevent diarrhea or other serious consequences.
A warm epsom salt bath also helps in relaxing the baby, thus promoting a sound sleep.
Disclaimer: Do a spot test for magnesium sensitivity before dipping your baby into the epsom salt bath water solution.
9. Chamomile Tea and Honey Spray
Chamomile is an excellent soothing agent due to its nerve-calming properties.
It promotes:
- Less swelling and redness.
- Decreased infection due to its antimicrobial properties
- Good sleep.
Honey benefits due to its potential:
- To prevent the spread of infection.
- To reduce swelling.
- To prevent further skin irritation.
- For moisture retention and skin healing properties.
A combination of both helps in providing relief in diaper rashes.
Pour a mixture of chamomile tea with a little honey into a spray bottle and use it after every diaper change. This thin layer helps in soothing the affected area.
10. DIY Diaper Creams
It is always recommended to apply natural substances to a baby’s sensitive skin.
Mixing cornstarch, coconut oil, and aloe vera gel makes up a really good DIY diaper cream due to its amazing healing properties.
Here, coconut oil promotes dead skin cell repair and skin regeneration. Cornstarch promotes excess moisture absorption while softening the skin, and aloe vera promotes a cooling effect, besides being an excellent non-greasy application.
Applying this cream after every diaper change can help soothe the affected area.
These are a few amazing tips on how to soothe diaper rash naturally without chemicals.
Additional Tips for Natural Prevention of Diaper Rash
There are a few precursors to prevent the diaper rash right from the beginning. These include:
- Let the baby go bare skin or diaper-free at least once a day to let the skin breathe and prevent the locking of moisture.
- Ensure to change the diaper frequently.
- Wipe the area clean once with lukewarm water and let it air dry.
- Change the diaper sizes according to the preference.
- Avoid cloth diapers during a diaper rash.
When to Consult a Doctor
Diaper rashes may occur due to a variety of reasons mentioned above and could last for around 5 days.
However, in case this does not happen and it aggravates to more severe symptoms, it is an indication to consult the doctor.
Time to consult the doctor:
- Increasing redness and inflammation with fever.
- Blisters or pus.
- If the rashes have spread to the thighs and abdomen region.
- Uncured diaper rash
- Blood in stool
- Excessive discomfort in babies
Conclusion
Diaper rashes are a part of an infant’s life due to a variety of factors that can mostly be cured with some natural treatments.
Also, it is always mindful to initiate patch skin testing of a home remedy before proceeding further to check against your baby’s allergic reactions towards certain substances.
Following the above-mentioned tips on how to prevent diaper rashes naturally also encourages safety, besides being gentle and effective.
Also, if you are seeking to purchase diapers for your child, do take a look at R for Rabbit’s feather soft diapers. These diapers are specially designed to promote babies' rash-free skin.
Almost 98.3% of mothers have voted for our feather-soft diapers as rash-fee. So, what are you waiting for? Order now!
Worth to Read:
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- Diaper Rash in Babies - Causes, Symptoms and 6 Prevention Tips
- Baby Diapering Guide for Winters in India
- Monsoon Diaper Essentials
- Diaper Changing Mistakes That Lead to Diaper Rash
