Nappy or Diaper Rash Home Remedies | Root Causes of Diaper Rashes | Tips to Prevent Severe Diaper Rashes | Topics Related to Diaper Rash Home Remedies
Root Causes of Diaper Rashes
Diaper rash is caused by prolonged contact between diaper contents and an infant’s sensitive skin, which cause the skin to produce less protective oil and therefore provide a less effective barrier to further irritation. It can also be caused by irritating chemicals in feces, not thoroughly rinsing soap or detergent out of washed diapers, and the chemicals contained in disposable diapers. Wastes in urine can break down to ammonia, which is very irritating. The baby’s buttocks, thighs, and genitals become sore, red, spotty, and weepy in areas touched by diapers. Inflammation can make the skin look puffy and feel warm. In boys, the foreskin may become inflamed, making urination painful. Also the rash may become secondarily infected with the Candida fungus if the baby has been given antibiotics or if breast milk has antibiotics in it, or if the mother has oral or genital thrush.
Nappy or Diaper Rash Home Remedies
Diaper rash is so common among infants and make the child uncomfortable. Here are 11 best home remedies to treat diaper or nappy rash effectively and get soft baby bottom.
- Homemade Diaper Rash Ointment: Make ointments using oils and fats, and usually contain no water. Being oily they form a waterproof, protective surface on the skin and are most useful in diaper rash. Also known as salves or balm made with animal fats but it is more common to use petroleum jelly or beeswax. Try this home made ointment for nappy rash. Take 250 ml infused oil, 25 g beeswax and 8 drops of essential oil. Take double boiler. Put water in bottom pot. Once water started boiling, in top part add oil and wax. Heat the oil and stir gently until the wax just melts. Finally, remove from heat and add essential oil. Stir, then pour into dark glass jars. Let it cool. Store properly this ointment so that, it stay good for 4 months.
- Encourage Healing Naturally: Rub the skin of an avocado on the rash to encourage healing.
- A Remedy That Works: A paste of baking soda and water can be applied to diaper rash to reduce skin inflammation and irritation. Baking soda / Bicarbonate of soda, has its own for its soothing and neutralizing properties which makes it important in many natural remedies. OR Pour warm water into a basin large enough to soak the baby’s bottom. Mix in the baking soda. Soak the infant in the bath for 10 to 15 minutes. Pat your infant dry, paying attention to the diapered area. Repeat once or twice more as needed throughout the day.
- Simple Cure with Herbs: Try calendula-infused oil. Calendula is a soothing anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and gentle astringent which is also good for dry, cracked, or chapped skin and cracked nipples. OR Apply calendula ointment to the diaper area. OR try making your own calendula cream. For this you need double boiler. Fill the bottom of a double boiler with about 2 inches of water. Place 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil and 1/2 cup shea butter in the top of the double boiler. Heat the water below until the oils melt. Lower the heat to low. Add 1 cup dried calendula flowers and stir. Add more coconut oil if necessary so that the flowers are saturated and swimming in oil. Wait at least 1 hour stirring frequently. You don’t want to burn the oil. Remove the pot from the heat and carefully dry any water that has condensed on the bottom of the pan. Avoid getting water in the oil. Strain the warm oil. Pour the liquid into a clean, dry jar and cap tightly. Store in the refrigerator or cool cabinet. The oils will become solid again. Apply as needed. If you can’t easily find shea butter, you can use only coconut oil. The end product will be less solid, but still excellent. Do not apply if your baby has developed a fungal infection.
- Vinegar Cure: Wash the bottom with a little diluted cider vinegar and allow it to dry before putting on the diaper.
- Effective Antibacterial Solution: Break off a leaf from the aloe plant. Cut a small wedge in the leaf to access the gel. Squeeze the gel into a bowl. Cleanse the baby’s bottom with warm water or a mixture of baking soda and water. Allow it to dry thoroughly. Spread a thin layer of aloe gel across the diaper area. Apply a diaper. You may get aloe creams and gels over the counter at a pharmacy or health food store. Topical Aloe vera gel is anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antibacterial, and discourages the growth of yeast. Aloe cream helps to heal diaper rash, though calendula cream was found to be even more effective.
- Traditional Folk Treatment: Spread live yogurt on the diaper area, so as to prevent thrush from occurring in the folds of the skin.
- For elderly incontinent adults only: Use a blow-dryer on the diaper area, blowing gently on a warm or cool setting until the diaper area is dry. never use a blow-dryer on babies or toddlers.
- Prevent Irritation: Egg white can be painted on the sore bottom and allowed to dry before putting on a diaper. This will encourage the skin to heal and prevent further irritation.
- Pat Dry: Powdered golden seal can be applied to a clean diaper area before putting on the new diaper.
- Washable Cloth Diapers: Place soiled cloth diapers in the washing machine and add hypoallergenic detergent. Run the diapers through a full cycle, adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. Dry as usual. A hypoallergenic detergent minimizes allergic reactions. Such reactions will manifest as a rash limited to the areas the diaper contacts the skin. Vinegar is an antibacterial.
Tips to Prevent Severe Diaper Rashes
- Avoid using soap or other detergents on the diaper area.
- Rinse carefully with clean water at each diaper change.
- Figure out the best diaper for your baby. Experiment with different brands to find the one that has the best fit for your baby.
- Allow your baby to go for as long as possible with a bare bottom, to allow it to dry and heal.
- Give plenty of soothing drinks, such as diluted chamomile tea, to reduce the acidity of the urine.
- Change diaper frequently.
- Diaper rash can worsen as your baby begins eating solid foods, especially acidic foods, such as citrus, pineapple, and tomatoes.
- Keep a food log to determine which foods to avoid until a rash has cleared up.
- When applying the diaper, avoid having tape the adhering to the skin because this can irritate the skin.
- Choose a correct size diaper. Attach diapers comfortably to allow air to circulate and avoid rubbing and irritation between skin and diaper. Finally make sure they fit well around the leg. Also if leaks are happening often, try going down a size.