Managing Diaper Rashes In Babies: Causes, Prevention & Remedies

Baby diaper rashes are greatly disturbing for both babies and their mothers! The itchy skin caused by diaper rash bothers your little one a great deal, making them uncomfortable and cranky. In this blog I am sharing a few tested and tried methods to naturally cure diaper rash. Try one of these suggested natural home remedies, and if that doesn't work too well for your baby, then try another. However, give a small break between both remedies, as babies have extremely sensitive skin. Let's start with the basics of a diaper rash.

What Is A Diaper Rash?

Essentially, a red, itchy, irritated patch of skin under the baby's diaper area is known as a diaper rash. Babies and toddlers under the age of 2 years seem to get diaper rashes most often, especially in the age group of 9-12 months when the baby's stool composition changes due to introduction of solids.

What Does A Baby Diaper Rash Look Like?

A diaper rash looks red, puffy, tender to touch and sometimes has small red bumps on the skin. The red bumps may spread to the baby's tummy and thighs in severe cases. Sometimes the skin may appear inflamed too. If you happen to touch the rash, the baby may feel the twitch, and cry, and you may feel the skin warm with red bumps spread over.

What Causes Diaper Rashes In Babies?

The most likely cause of a diaper rash in babies is friction and not changing diaper on time. Some common reasons of a diaper rash include:

1. Friction: Once a baby starts moving, considerable friction develops between the baby's bums and the diaper. As a baby's skin is super sensitive, the friction causes the skin to redden and causes irritation
2. Introduction of new foods: Once the baby starts solids, the composition of baby's poo and pee changes. It starts to get more acidic. Sometimes a new food may even cause frequent bowel movements, making the baby more prone to diaper rashes
3. Exposure to wet diaper for long: This is one of the most common causes of a diaper rash in babies. When a baby is left exposed to a wet diaper for a long time, the skin tends to get irritated and a diaper rash may develop
4. Chemical sensitivity: Some babies can be sensitive to lotions, fragrances or material that diapers or baby wipes are made of. This sensitivity can also surface as a diaper rash
5. Antibiotics: Certain medications kill the healthy bacteria that keep the pH levels of the skin balanced. They may also cause diarrhoea in babies. In breastfed babies, this may happen even if the mother is taking some treatment. This again may cause a diaper rash
6. Bacterial and yeast infection: When the baby's diaper is left unchanged for long, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. The warm and moist diaper area seems perfect for bacteria to flourish, causing rashes in the folds of the baby's skin

How Do I Heal A Baby Diaper Rash?

A mild diaper rash can be treated at home with simple steps. The moment you spot reddish, itchy blisters on your baby's diaper area, do the following:

1. Keep the diaper area dry and clean by changing the diaper every few hours. Make sure you change the diaper after every bowel movement
2. Use a good quality, baby friendly super-absorbent diaper
3. At every diaper change, gently clean the diaper area with warm water and a clean, soft cloth. If you have to use soap, use a mild, fragrance free soap. Avoid using baby wipes that contain alcohol or propylene glycol
4. Use a good quality diaper rash cream to speed up he Keeping the diaper rash affected area open and letting it air out helps it heal faster healing.
5. Expose the diaper area to air and sunlight everyday
6. Make your baby have more fluids, preferably more water when the child has crossed the age of 6 months. If your baby is well past her first birthday, cranberry juice is a good choice
7. Make sure you wash all baby clothes in a delicate, baby laundry detergent only. Rinse them well
8. Never rub your baby's diaper area. Always clean the girls wiping from front to back and never from the back to front

10 Diaper Rash Treatment Home Remedies For Your Babies 

These natural home remedies helped soothe and heal my baby's diaper rash, and I hope they help yours too.

1. Petroleum jelly to heal diaper rash: A diaper rash is caused due to friction, especially for babies who are constantly on the move. Petroleum jelly is often recommended to be applied on the baby's bottoms to create a barrier - so as to decrease the friction that rises when the diaper rubs with the skin. A thin layer of petroleum jelly/ Vaseline gently massaged over the rash soothes the itchiness and provides a protective covering from the irritation. Clean the baby's bottoms with clean, warm water and pat it dry with a soft cloth. Next apply a thin layer of plain petroleum jelly and watch the diaper rash go away within a day or two
2. Ghee for curing diaper rash: Using homemade ghee on the rash is some of the best advice daadiji ever gave!Ghee has cooling and moisturising properties and can be used to heal diaper rashes in babies, though it should be used sparingly as it can block the skin pores. Just apply a drop or two after every diaper change. Ghee is known to provide instant relief from diaper rashes
3. Breastmilk: Breast milk is the best and most inexpensive way to cure your baby's diaper rash. Breastmilk application or dabbing cotton soaked in your breast milk over the rash is also one of the safest remedy. Or you can simply express some breastmilk onto the diaper rash. Allow the area to dry completely before putting on the diaper Believe me, I tried it on my baby and it worked wonderfully
4. Yogurt to treat diaper rash: Sugarless curd/yogurt helps to soothe and reduce diaper rashes. If you are breastfeeding, having thick, sugarless yogurt and the cultures would transfer to your baby through breastmilk. If you or your baby cannot tolerate yogurt, apply a thick layer of the same on the rash, just like an ointment, and allow it to dry for sometime. Tie the diaper and keep on wiping the yogurt at each diaper change. Homemade yogurt would work best!
5. Dalia: Mix Dalia with water to form a smooth, creamy paste. Massage this paste gently on to the rash affected skin, and then wash it off. Use this paste in your baby's bathing water, and let him/her soak in it for ten minutes for relief. You could also use oatmeal as a substitute for dalia
6. Aloe Vera for baby diaper rash: It is the king of home solutions! Being anti-inflammatory, aloe vera can be used for soothing your baby's skin and reducing itchiness and redness. Apply a thin layer of aloe gel over the rash, and let it dry. You can use the commercially available aloe vera gels or use natural aloe vera juice from the plant
7. Coconut oil for baby diaper rash: Coconut oil is also a well-known and versatile remedy for curing and healing a baby's diaper rash, thanks to its antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Use it for a gentle massage over the affected area, or you could even pour some in baby's bath water. Being an excellent mosituriser, it helps heal and soothe the rashes much quickly
8. Baking Soda or Vinegar for diaper rash: Diaper rash is most commonly caused due to stale urine that is alkaline in nature and burns the baby's soft and tender skin. However, another kitchen cabinet miracle cure comes to our rescue! Mix 2 tablespoons of either baking soda in your baby's bath water. Alternatively, you could use a much diluted form and apply it directly on the affected area for 10 minutes, or everytime you change your baby's diaper and then wash it off. A diluted solution of a teaspoon of vinegar and a cup of water also works wonders. Also, if you use reusable diapers or cloth diapers, you cam rinse the baby's diapers in a solution of water and vinegar to wash off any build-up of soap that can irritate the baby's skin
9. Cornstarch for diaper rash: Cornstarch has the unique property of absorbong moisture and is used to treat diaper rashes in babies. When you change the baby's diaper, wipe the area clean and pat it dry. Sprinkle some cornstarch directly on the baby's bums and put on the diaper. Do this everytime you change the diaper until the rash goes away
10. Oatmeal works for diaper rash in babies: Oats are not just wionderfulr as your baby's first food, but can also be used to treat diaper rash in babies. Oatmeal has a high protein content, and also contains saponin. Saponin helps to remove unwanted impurities that cause skin irritation. Add a tablespoon of dried oatmeal in a bucket of water and let it soak for about 10-15 minutes. Now bathe the baby with this water and watch the rash heal over a couple of days. You can bathe your baby twice in oatmeal solution

How Long Does It Take For A Diaper Rash To Go Away?

A mild diaper rash should go away in about 2-3 days, lasting maximum for a week, while more severe rashes may even take more than 10 days to completely go away. In the duration, give your baby as much diaper free time as you can. Read Diaper hygiene during summer here.

How Can I Prevent A Diaper Rash In My Baby?

Preventing a diaper rash is actually easier than treating it. You should read this -

1. Make sure that you understand what causes a diaper rash - is it some new food, some particular diaper brand, allergy to clothes, not changing the diaper frequently etc. so that effective steps can be taken
2. Make sure that the baby wears the right size of diaper – a too tight diaper can also cause unnecessary friction and subsequently rashes
3. Make sure that you always clean your baby's bottom with warm water and a soft cloth when you change a diaper
4. Not use plastic covers or diapers with plastic edged that may retain moisture and thus cause diaper rash
5. If a diaper rash seems pertinent, try switching the brands

Did you find Cheena's natural, home remedies for diaper rash useful?How do you help soothe and heal your baby's diaper rash? Do share your experiences and learnings with us in the comments section below. We love hearing from you!