Diaper rash or diaper dermatitis is a common skin condition that occurs in the diaper-covered region of babies and toddlers. It is caused by exposure to moisture, friction, and the chemicals present in urine and feces from wet and soiled diapers.
Diaper Rash makes the skin red, tender, flaky and pink or red patches in the bottom area. It is possible to clear up diaper rashes within three or four days with proper care and medications. If the diaper rash doesn’t noticeably improve within a couple of days, or gets worse, call your baby’s healthcare provider for guidance.
How to treat a diaper rash at home?
The best way to cure diaper rash is to keep your baby's skin of bottom area dry and clean and change their wet and soiled diapers as soon as possible. Diaper rash is quite common and can happen to any baby. It can make your baby’s diaper region red or pink, tender, and flaky. Changing your baby’s diaper regularly and immediately after it’s soiled can help prevent diaper rash.
- Change all wet and soiled diapers as soon as possible to reduce moisture on the skin that could inflame a rash.
- Gently cleanse the diaper area using warm water and dry it or use a soft washcloth or alcohol and fragrance-free baby wipes.
- Gently use a squirt bottle of water to clean the area and allow the area to air dry, if the rash is severe.
- Sometimes keep your child diaper-free as long as possible to allow the skin to dry and heal.
- Use petroleum jelly or zinc oxide to act as a barrier, moisturize, protect the skin, and soothe inflammation. It is important to apply a zinc oxide diaper cream between diaper changes. If the diaper rash is severe, there is no need to remove the cream with each diaper change. It can be fully cleaned at the end of the day.
- Avoid using cornstarch, talcum powder, or harsh soaps that can worsen the rash or cause complications.
Diaper rash is common skin irritation affecting babies and toddlers. It can cause discomfort, itching, or pain. Even with frequent diaper changes, diaper rash can still happen. If a rash persists even with prescription products, becomes severe, unusual, or doesn't improve with home care, you should see a doctor or other health care professional (dermatologist) for advice.
What are the home remedies for diaper rash?
Mild diaper rashes typically go away with home treatment within three to four days. More severe cases may require treatment with antibiotics or antifungals. With proper medications, your baby’s diaper rash may take a week or longer to clear up.
Make sure to change your baby’s diaper as soon as it's wet or soiled, keep the diaper area clean, and use a diaper cream. It’s also a prefect decision to wear your child a highly absorbent diaper and to make sure that it isn’t too tight and doesn’t chafe.
Here are some home remedies that can help soothe your baby’s bottom rash:
1. Change diapers frequently:
Change your baby's diaper as soon as it's wet or soiled. Ensure you change your baby's diapers regularly, ideally every 2-3 hours, or as soon as they are wet or soiled.
2. Choose the right diapers:
Make sure the diaper is not too tight or too loose. It should fit perfectly but allows some air circulation.
3. Clean thoroughly:
Pat your baby's skin dry with a clean towel or let it air dry before putting on a new diaper. Gently clean your baby's diaper area during each diaper change using mild wipes or a soft cloth. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the skin.
4. Avoid irritants:
Avoid using products that may irritate your baby's skin, such as scented wipes, lotions, powders, or oils. Avoid wipes with alcohol or fragrances, as they may irritate the skin. Use gentle wipes or a soft cloth with water to clean your baby's diaper area.
5. Allow diaper-free time:
Give your baby some diaper-free time during the day to let the skin breathe and stay dry. Lay them on a waterproof pad or a towel to minimize mess. Give your baby some diaper-free time every day to let the skin breathe.
6. Use a barrier cream:
Apply a thin layer of diaper rash cream or ointment containing zinc oxide to create a protective barrier between the baby's skin and moisture. Choose fragrance-free products with zinc oxide or petroleum jelly as they provide a barrier to water and infection.
7. Use diaper ointment, cream, or paste:
A diaper ointment, cream, or paste acts as a barrier and protects the skin from moisture, irritation, and infection. Diaper rash ointments include petrolatum. They are best for everyday use, prevention, or mild rashes. Examples include Vaseline petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, Triple Paste Medicated, A+D Original ointment etc.
8. Diaper rash creams containing zinc oxide are very good for prevention. They can treat mild to moderate rashes within two to three days. Examples of products that contains zinc oxide include:
Desitin Daily Defense, Triple Paste, Honest, Cetaphil, Mustela, Aveeno, Weleda etc.
9. Watch for allergic reaction:
If your baby is eating solid foods, introduce new foods one at a time and watch for any signs of allergic reaction or increased stool frequency.
If the rash doesn’t go away with home treatment and your baby is experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, your doctor or other health care professional might suggest:
- A mild (0.5% to 1%) hydrocortisone (steroid) cream twice a day for 3 to 5 days.
- An antifungal cream if your baby has a fungal infection.
- Antibiotic medicine is taken by mouth, if your baby has a bacterial infection.
If the diaper rash hasn't improved after a few days of treatment at home or comes back again and again, talk with your doctor or other health care professional(dermatologist). You may need prescription medicine to treat diaper rash, or the rash may have another cause.