Effective Home Remedies for Diaper Rash Relief
Diaper rashes are popular among infants and can cause concern, especially for first-time moms. This condition is common in babies as the diaper area is usually warm and moist, providing a suitable environment for the rash to thrive. Besides that, other factors can contribute to diaper rashes like sensitive skin, antibiotics, too tight diapers, irritated skin, and the introduction of new foods.
If your baby has a diaper rash, you probably know how stressful it is to cope with the situation. And while you can use over-the-counter creams and drugs to manage it, you don’t always have to. And the good thing is that this article discusses home remedies for diaper rash.
Home Remedies For Diaper Rash
Here are home remedies that can help you deal with diaper rash:
Change Diapers Often
It’s a no-brainer that changing diapers often is one of the easiest home remedies for managing diaper rash. Letting your kid stay on a wet diaper (even slightly moist) can irritate their skin, especially if they have an active diaper rash. It also takes a little trapped moisture to irritate your child’s skin and cause a rash. So, remember to change your kid’s diaper as soon as possible.
Keep Your Child’s Diaper Dry And Clean
The best thing to do to prevent diaper rash is to keep your little one’s diaper clean and dry. And anytime you change the diaper, clean the area gently with a soft towel/cloth or a squirt of water from a bottle. You may also use wipes, but remember to be gentle. Avoid wipes with alcohol or rubbing the skin too hard.
Check The Size Of Your Kid’s Diaper
The wrong diaper size can make your child susceptible to diaper rash or make it more challenging for an existing rash to heal. A too-tight diaper can cause excess moisture providing a good ground for rash growth. Similarly, a too large diaper can rub and result in friction, worsening the rash.
So, establish your kid’s current diaper size and switch to the perfect fit.
Change To Disposable Diapers
Cloth diapers are good as they are economical, natural, and work well for moms on a low budget. However, they are not the best option if your little one struggles with a diaper rash. In this case, a super absorbent disposable diaper is your sure bet until your child’s diaper heals. With this diaper, your kid will always be dry, enhancing faster healing.
Give Your Baby Diaper-Free Time
One of the main reasons why babies develop diaper rash is the lack of air circulation in the diaper area. And by giving your child diaper-free time, you are letting them have the air circulation needed in that area.
I know allowing your kid to be diaper-free is a little risky as far as accidents are concerned. But letting their skin breathe from time to time is more important. So, ensure your child has diaper-free time during the day.
Dietary Changes
Sometimes dietary changes can lead to diaper rash, which is more common in kids who’ve started taking solid foods. If your child’s diaper rash started when taking solid foods, there could be an issue in their diet. In such a case, switch your kid’s diet to a liquid-only diet or semi-solid foods. However, it’s good to consult your healthcare provider before changing your child’s diet.
Use Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is famous for its antifungal properties, making it an effective method of treating diaper rashes at home. To use this oil, wash the affected area with lukewarm water and pat dry, then apply coconut oil and gently rub it onto the skin until it’s completely absorbed.
As a step guide, apply the coconut oil three times a day during diaper changes. Half a tablespoon of oil should be okay for one time. Coconut oil can also help treat yeast diaper rash effectively.
Apply Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is excellent for diaper rash, especially if the rash accompanies severe inflammation. You can use either fresh aloe vera gel from the stems or store-bought versions. This gel is natural and provides relief to your baby’s rash.
Draw An Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal is tested and proven to be an effective remedy for diaper rash as it offers relief from the pain. Mix a tablespoon of dried oatmeal in your child’s bathwater when using oatmeal. Position your baby to sit in the bath and hold them there for 5-10 minutes. If your baby is very young and cannot support themselves, hold them for the duration specified.
Once done, pat dry their skin and be gentle while doing so. Do the oatmeal bath once daily, but if the diaper rash is severe, carry it twice daily for optimum results.
Use Breast Milk
Breast milk work excellent at healing diaper rash. Apply a few drops of breast milk to the rash area and let it dry. Then put on fresh diapers.
Try Plain Yogurt
Plain yogurt doesn’t contain added sugar or cornstarch, making it suitable for diaper rash and inflammation. Using yogurt is pretty straightforward; apply a thick yogurt layer to the affected area. And your child’s rash will heal in a few days. Feel free to use plain yogurt the way you use diaper rash cream. And remember to use room-temperature yogurt.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is rich in magnesium and the anti-inflammatory properties needed to heal diaper rash. Mix half a cup of Epsom salt in warm water. Allow your child to soak in the bath for 10-15 minutes and follow it with a bathing session. Repeat this 2-3 times a week for best results.
Conclusion
There are many ways of dealing with diaper rash at home. If your child struggles with this problem, start by making little changes in their life. Establish their right diaper size, change them often, keep their diapers dry and clean, allow your child diaper-free time, and switch to disposable diapers if they’re using non-disposable ones.
If this doesn’t work, try changing their diet or using home-based products to heal diaper rash. For instance, coconut oil, aloe vera gel, breast milk, oatmeal, Epsom salt, plain yogurt, etc. If nothing seems to work, consult your doctor on the best way forward.
