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Diaper rash can be explained as a type of inflammation or irritant dermatitis, a common problem faced by many new parents, while bringing up their baby. The warm and moist environment of the diaper, combined with bacteria, makes the baby’s bottom vulnerable to diaper rash.
Diaper rash can be painful and make your baby cranky and tearful. The prolonged exposure of baby’s bottom to a diaper that is moist and soiled with urine or stool, contact with irritating substances such as disposable wipes or diapers, lotions, soaps, laundry products not suitable to baby’s skin, chafing from very tight fitting diapers, poor laundering of diapers, hot and humid weather and infrequent diaper change can cause diaper rash. Fortunately there are plenty of home remedies that can soothe the baby’s tender bottom and prevent future occurrence.
Home Remedies For Diaper Rash
Keep Baby’s Bottom Dry
The diaper holds urine and feces that creates a warm and moist environment perfect for the growth of bacteria, fungus or yeast. To prevent or treat diaper rash, allow the baby’s bottom to stay dry by letting her go bare-bottomed whenever possible. To avoid mess, keep your diaper-less baby on a plastic or rubber mat after wrapping her with a washable cloth. When you take the baby’s diaper off, expose the area to air for 10-15 minutes after cleaning the bottom gently. Before applying anything to the bottom area, make sure the area is completely dry and clean.
Avoid Use Of Commercial Baby Wipes
Commercial baby wipes often contain chemicals and alcohol that strips away the natural protective oil of your baby’s skin and makes it too dry. Cleaning baby’s bottom with mild soap, water and washcloth is the best way to prevent diaper rash.If rash is already there, clean baby’s bottom with a clean wet cloth after rinsing it thoroughly with plain water and then pat dry using a soft towel. Expose the bottom to air for 3-4 minutes to let it get completely dry before putting on a new diaper.
Use Skin Friendly Baby Products
Use only those soaps, shampoos, oil and creams that have been designed specifically for baby’s tender skin. Using products that are meant for adults can irritate the baby’s skin because of the chemicals they contain. Also wash the baby’s clothes separately using baby detergent. Wash baby’s diaper in hot water without using fabric softener or bleach and rinse them twice before drying in the sunlight when your baby is suffering from diaper rash.
Use Baking Soda
To relieve your baby from painful diaper rash, use a tablespoon of baking soda in the baby’s bath water. The water should be lukewarm, not very hot.After bathing the baby, use Aloe Vera gel, petroleum jelly or vitamin e oil to heal diaper rash. Wait for few minutes to let it absorbed and then put on the diaper as usual.
Change Diaper Often
When it isn’t feasible to keep baby’s bottom diaper free, check baby’s diaper often and change as soon as possible. Rash will clear up faster if you are successful in keeping the baby’s bottom dry. Never use plastic pants over diaper which keeps the moisture in. Also refrain from using skin fitted diapers with leak guards that hold urine. Rather use larger size diapers that can let air in.
Use Cornstarch
After changing the baby’s diaper, clean baby’s bottom and make it completely dry. Now take some cornstarch in your hand and pat the cornstarch on baby’s bottom.The cornstarch will help to keep the damp areas dry by keeping moisture away and avoid friction between elastic and the skin.
