Nappy Rash Treatment: Diaper Rash Remedies
In the UK the phrase “nappy rash” is used more than diaper rash which is a US phase for the red bumps a baby can get on the bottom. The narrator states, ” Nappy rash happens when urine is left too long on baby’s skin and becomes ammonia when mixed with bacteria from the baby’s stools. It usually appears as a red rash around the bottom and can become inflamed. The key is to try to prevent it from happening.
Change your baby’s diaper more frequently and let her kick around without her diaper (nappy) twice a day. Don’t wash your baby’s skin with soap or scented lotions as they break down the natural barriers.”
“Don’t use talcum powder on your baby’s skin. Use a barrier cream if there’s a small rash and avoid it if the skin is broken. If you baby has a nappy rash, make sure her skin is aired for 15 minutes at least between diaper changes.”
A common barrier cream used is one that contains the ingredient zinc oxide which is healing to the skin.Most experts don’t recommend using vaseline as a barrier cream for nappy rash. Baking soda in a tub is a nice bath and makes it alkalinic. Some people find using corn starch effective. If it is a yeast rash then getting in the sun briefly could be good and you’d need to use an antifungal lotion or cream. Aloe is also liked by some moms for diaper rash treatment. Be sure to determine if your child may be allergic to the diapers that are being used.
If you are near an herbal shop, mixing chickweed with oil is a home remedy for nappy rash to try. Chickweed has 5 petals and has been used for centuries. It is excellent for the lungs as well.
My daughter’s nappy baby rash was helped with shea butter. She also had a little rash from the formula so some rashes can be due to foods or fomula too. It aint easy being a mom!
I am going to try the chickweed idea for baby rash skin because I am studying to work with people using natural remedies and this sounds right to me. I know chickweed is good for chest infections and hoarseness. Also it’s an interesting plant because they say it goes to sleep at night because of how the leaves fold.
How can you tell if it’s diaper rash or mild eczema in a baby? Would an excema cure lotion work for diaper rash too? The pictures of eczema look similar to baby diaper rash but I know my child also has food allergies so I can’t tell if the rash is from that or the ammonia from the diapers.
It depends a bit on the actual product, but many that are good for eczema will also be good for nappy rash too. No nappy time is good. Another thing you can do to help is add a couple of chamomile tea bags to the bath wen you’re bathing them - the chamomile is quite soothing for skin.
For natural options there are some beeswax based balms that are very good. Here in the UK we have Pot of Gold Baby Balm which has been brilliant on nappy rash, notice an improvement overnight. Not sure if same product is available in the USA, but sure you’d have equivalent things.