Daniela Knaan
UX/UI Designer at - AdobeWhat is a diaper rash?
A diaper rash is a form of inflammation of the skin, which appears on your baby`s bottom. As a result, the skin may seem red and bright. Diaper rash might discomfort your baby and should be treated immediately before getting more severe.
So if you ask yourself what to do- here are a few simple natural diaper rash remedies that should already help.
What causes diaper rash?
- prolonged exposure to stool and urine
Stool and Urine are mostly very acidic so they irritate our baby`s sensitive skin and make it more likely to become infected.
- too tight-fitting diapers
If the diaper is too tight, everything inside it will stick closely to our baby`s bottom, and air circulation can be guaranteed
- irritations from the food you may have just introduced your baby to
When we introduce a new food, our baby`s whole digestive system needs to get used to it first… Especially acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus fruits like oranges and kiwi for example may result in more acidic stool.
- sensitive skin
That one may be quite genetic and unchangeable- some babies just have more sensitive skin than others. You may notice that if you have sensitive skin, your baby has it too…In this case, you will just be even more careful with all the prevention
- antibiotics
Antibiotics disturb the balance in our baby`s gut bacteria because they eliminate not only the bad ones… And if that balance is destroyed, our baby`s immune system needs to rebuild first, so they will be more exposed to all kinds of infection or irritation during that time
- bacterial or yeast infection
Those appear mostly if your baby already has had diaper rash for some time… both require medical attention.
How can I prevent it?
- Do not over-tighten the diaper
Leave some room for air circulation, it will also be more comfortable for your baby to not have the diaper too tight!
- rinse your baby’s bottom with every diaper change
Instead of just changing when there is only urine or using baby wipes, rinse your baby s bottom! Baby wipes are too alkalic which disturbs the natural ph of the skin, and they leave the baby somewhat wet, which is only beneficial for bacteria and yeast to grow…
- dry the area well with a towel or let air dry. Even leave the baby without a diaper for some more time.
Dry well with a clean towel and if possible leave the baby a couple of minutes without the diaper! They will thank you!
- change your baby`s diaper as often as possible
No room for laziness here! The more often you change, the less likely your baby will ever have a diaper rash!
- use diaper cream regularly
The best diaper cream ever is by WELEDA. Use any natural nappy cream every time you rinse and change, so your baby`s bottom will not be in direct contact with the diaper and what is in it!
How do I treat diaper rash naturally?
The best way to fight diaper rash is to prevent it. But in times of teething or the introduction of new food, irritations of the skin are quite common…
You may read about the use of baking soda or vinegar as natural remedies, but there are no studies that show evidence of the use of these. Vinegar may help only if the rash is alkalic and may have a reverse effect if it is acidic. The opposite applies to baking soda. As we don t know most of the time what kind of rash our babies have, I find it very difficult to try out these remedies. In addition, they may dry your baby s skin and cause even more irritation.
So what does help?
Air
Leave your baby without a diaper as often and for long as possible to let the sensitive skin breathe and take a break from the constant contact with urine.
Switch diapers
Switching the diaper brand you are using or from cloth to disposable may also help sometimes.
Do not use baby wipes
Always wash under tap water, with mild soap or oil only when there is poop involved. Dry well after.
Shampoo clay
A study showed that shampoo clay has a healing effect on skin irritation.
Aloe Vera
Also shows to have positive effects on diaper rash
Breast Milk
In a study, more than 300 Infants with diaper rash were treated with either 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment or breast milk. Treatment with breast milk was as effective as the ointment alone.
Zinc oxide
Ointments containing zinc oxide are effective for curing irritated skin.
Coconut oil
has a healing effect.
Camomille baths
are known to be antiseptic and calming.
Calendula
A study comparing aloe vera and calendula in the treatment of diaper rash in children found each to be an effective treatment of diaper rash
I used WELEDA diaper cream for both of my kids. My son NEVER had any diaper rash and my daughter only once.
Weleda products are made of organic natural ingredients. Because it is really important to expose our babies to chemicals as little as possible, especially in the very sensitive diaper area, Weleda diaper cream is a sure choice. It protects your baby from the acids in stool and urine and helps prevent and cure diaper rash.
When should I see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if the rash
- gets more severe instead of better despite home treatment
- bleeds
- is accompanied by fever
Conclusion
Usually diaper rash is quite easy and quick to cue with natural remedies. And it is part of our baby routine as much as colic and teething. Following the prevention instructions, you should not have too much trouble with the issue and enjoy your baby`s so smooth and soft bottom!
What about you, do you have any interesting and working home remedies to share?
references
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diaper-rash/symptoms-causes/syc-20371636
https://www.weleda.com/about-us
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/801222-treatment
