Do you know the best home remedies for diaper rash? Then read on…
A diaper rash is a skin infection common among babies. It is basically the skin irritation that occurs in babies in their diaper areas. This could be due to bacterial infections, yeast infections or even allergic reactions.
Causes of a Diaper Rash
There are a number of factors that can cause diaper rash in an infant. These include:
- Wet or Dirty diapers
- Yeast infections
- Bacteria or Fungi infections
- Irritation by urine or stool
- Inflammation
- Allergic reaction to new foods or products
- Sensitive skin
- Extremely tight diaper
- Antibiotics used by the baby or their mother
Symptoms of a Diaper Rash in Babies
Now that we know the causes of a diaper rash, let us know how to identify one. The most prominent symptoms of a diaper rash are:
- Redness of the diaper area
- Small blisters around the diaper area
- Appearance of tiny pimples on the diaper area
- Peeling of the skin
- Fever
- Swelling of the diaper area
Severe diaper rashes are irritating and painful which may cause a lot of discomfort for your babies. This warrants that you should put your best efforts to get rid of diaper rash whenever the symptoms start to appear.
There are some home remedies that can help you get rid of diaper rash affecting your baby. These natural home remedies for diaper rash are easy and affordable to prepare.
8 Best Home Remedies for Diaper Rash (Get Rid of Diaper Rash In 24 Hours)
1. Coconut Oil for Diaper Rash
Coconut oil is perhaps the safest of all the home remedies for diaper rash. The saturated fats it contains helps to moisturize the skin of your baby and keep it soft. The antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties of coconut oil also help to get rid of diaper rash. Also, coconut oil helps to protect your baby’s skin from bacteria, fungi and yeast.
Here are some natural home remedies for diaper rash that you can make using coconut oil.
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon of natural coconut oil
- Clean and warm water
Directions
- Use the clean, warm water to wash your baby’s bottom.
- Wait for a few minutes so the water can dry off.
- Apply the coconut oil on the affected area and massage gently.
- Allow drying. Then put on a new diaper for your baby.
- Repeat 3 times every day.
2. Coconut oil and Lavender oil
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of coconut oil
- Few drops of lavender essential oil
- Water
- A saucepan
- A glass jar
Directions
- Pour coconut oil into a glass jar.
- Boil water in a clean saucepan.
- Place the glass jar filled with coconut oil in the saucepan until the oil melts.
- Remove the glass or jar from the saucepan and leave for a few minutes.
- Then add lavender oil to the glass jar.
- Then apply the final mixture to your baby’s already washed and dried diaper area.
- Repeat every time you change your baby’s diaper.
3. Coconut oil and Tea tree oil
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 3-5 drops of tea tree oil
Directions
- Wash affected the area on your baby and leave to dry.
- Mix the coconut oil and tea tree oil in a small bowl.
- Apply the mixture on the affected area of your baby’s skin.
- Leave on for a while.
- Repeat 2-3 times every day.
Note: Do not use undiluted tea tree oil. It is dangerous for your baby’s skin.
2. Baking Soda to Cure Diaper Rash
I bet you didn’t know you can use baking soda to get rid of diaper rash. Baking soda neutralizes the acids on your baby’s skin which may be as a result of urine. It also helps in balancing the pH level of your baby’s skin. This helps to combat fungi and bacteria which may cause diaper rash.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 4 cups of warm water
- A basin
Directions
- Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a basin filled with 4 cups of warm water.
- Wash the affected area on your baby’s skin using this mixture.
- Allow your baby dry naturally. Don’t use a towel.
- Repeat 2 times every day.
3. Treat Diaper Rash with Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal is among the best home remedies for diaper rash because it helps to soothe and moisturize your baby’s skin. Oatmeal is rich in protein which soothes your baby’s skin and preserves its natural protective barrier. It also contains a chemical compound called saponin (2). Saponin helps to eliminate excess oil and dirt in your baby’s skin pores.
Let’s not forget that the anti-inflammatory property of oatmeal helps to get rid of diaper rash symptoms like inflammation and irritation.
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons of dried oatmeal
- Water
Directions
- Add oatmeal to your baby’s bath water.
- Put your baby in the bath water and leave to soak for about 10 minutes.
- Pat your baby dry.
- Repeat 2 times every day.
4. Epsom Salt for Diaper Rash
Did you know you can use magnesium sulphate popularly known as Epsom salt to get rid of diaper rash? Epsom salt contains a high level of magnesium which helps to heal irritation and inflammation associated with diaper rash.
In fact, the combination of Epsom salt and baking powder in bath water is one of the most reliable home remedies for diaper rash.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt
- 1 tablespoon of Baking soda
- Warm Water
Directions
- Pour warm water into your baby’s bathtub.
- Pour 1 tablespoon each of Epsom salt and baking soda into the water and mix well.
- Allow your baby sit in the warm bath for 10 minutes.
- Let the affected area get dry.
- Put on a clean diaper for your baby.
- Repeat 2 times every day.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Acetic acid (a natural disinfectant) is the major component of apple cider vinegar. It helps to fight several skin infections including those that result from diaper rash. Its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties make it very effective to get rid of diaper rash.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup of warm water
- A clean cloth
Directions
- Mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water,
- Dip a cloth in the mixture and use it to wipe your baby’s bottom.
- Repeat 2 times every day.
6. Aloe Vera for Diaper Rash
Aloe Vera is one of the oldest ingredients for treating skin problems (2). It has natural healing properties. It also has an anti-inflammatory property that helps to soothe your baby’s inflamed and irritated skin.
The antimicrobial property of Aloe Vera helps to kill bacteria that cause diaper rash. All these properties make it one of the most effective home remedies for diaper rash.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons of Aloe Vera Gel
Directions
- Rub some of the Aloe Vera gel on your fingertips and apply it on the affected area of your baby’s skin.
- Repeat 2-3 times every day.
7. Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract contains strong antimicrobial properties that help to fight infections which may cause diaper rash. It is one of the most underrated yet effective home remedies for diaper rash.
Ingredients
- 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract
- 1/2 cup of water
- A spray bottle
Directions
- Wash affected the area of your baby’s skin with warm water and leave to dry.
- Mix the grapefruit seed extract and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray mixture on the affected area of your baby’s skin.
- Repeat 2 times every day for best effects.
8. Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice neutralizes the alkalinity of urine that causes diaper rash. Its anti-inflammatory property also soothes irritated and inflamed skin caused by diaper rash.
Ingredients
- 3-4 teaspoons of cranberry juice
Directions
- Feed your baby with about 3-4 teaspoons of cranberry juice every day.
Other Ways to Prevent Diaper Rashes
Apart from the above home remedies for diaper rash, there are some other daily routines you need to follow to get rid of diaper rash. They include:
- Regularly change the diapers of your baby.
- Don’t make the diaper too tight around your baby’s bottom.
- Use a mild detergent to wash your baby’s clothes.
- Wash diapers using hot water and rinse twice.
- If your baby is prone to diaper rash, breastfeed him/her more. Breast milk helps to prevent diaper rash.
- Try to always keep your baby’s skin as dry as possible.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after coming in contact with diaper rash. This will prevent spreading the infection to other areas of your baby’s skin.
Conclusion
Whenever you notice diaper rash on your baby’s skin, make enough effort to get rid of it early. This will help to avoid further complications. You can use any of the discussed home remedies for diaper rash to get rid of diaper rash on affecting your baby.
However, if the rash gets worse, consult your doctor immediately.