Diaper rashes are quite common in babies. Even if you take appropriate care of your baby, diaper rashes may occur at times. If the baby’s skin looks irritated, puffy, and red, then it is a diaper rash. The skin may also feel warm as you touch it. You may either notice some red spots on the diaper-clad area in infants. This can be severe if the tender red spots spread to the thighs and tummy.
Symptoms and Types of diaper rash:
The diaper rash types may vary and it is vital to identify the type of diaper rash to give appropriate treatment to your baby. It is also important to know the diaper rash symptoms so you can identify the type of diaper rash. Here we will discuss few types of diaper rash and their symptoms.
Type 1: Slight diaper rash:
- The skin will appear pink over a small area
- Possibility of Little dryness
- Possibility of single raised bump or papule
Type 2: Mild diaper rash
- The skin will appear pink over a small area
- Some redness on a very small area
- Scattered and raised papule
- Little dryness or scaling
Type 3: Mild to Moderate diaper rash
- The skin may appear faintly pink or completely pink, but it will cover a large area
- Some amount of intense redness in a small area
- Moderate scaling and dryness along with scattered and raised bumps
- Might have swelling and slight peeling
- Fluid containing bumps or pustules
Type 4: Severe diaper rash
- Very intense redness over a large area
- Severe swelling and peeling
- A lot of fluid contains bumps
- Some loss in outer layer of skin and bleeding
As you notice the different types of diaper rashes and their symptoms, it is clear that it can be quite hard to deal with. Therefore, it is very important to know the causes of diaper rash to avoid them completely. Avoiding diaper rashes will make sure there are no further complications, like yeast infections. The causes of diaper rashes are mentioned below:
- Staying in wet or dirty diapers for a long time
- Stool and urine irritation
- Sensitive skin of the baby
- The diaper is tied very tightly
- Use of new products on the baby’s skin
- Antibiotics taken by the infant or the mother who is nursing the infant.
A diaper rash in infants is commonly caused by prolonged exposure of the baby’s skin to urine and stool. It can irritate the skin of the baby. Diaper rashes are more common in babies who experience diarrhea, as feces irritate the skin more than urine.
Sometimes your baby may be prone to a diaper rash. If the rash is not treated, then it may also result in yeast infection, where yeast diaper rash in infants are more difficult to treat. It causes a lot of discomfort to the baby.
Here are a few remedies to treat the diaper rash, followed by a cream which you can prepare at home for the yeast infection. You can choose the most applicable diaper rash home remedy to give your baby proper treatment and complete relief.
Let’s check some home remedies for diaper rash first.
- Cornstarch: The first remedy to cure baby diaper rash is the use of cornstarch. Once you have cleaned the baby’s skin, let the skin dry. Expose the skin to cool air for some time. Using cornstarch for baby diaper rash is effective, but make sure the baby doesn’t inhale it. You can use the cornstarch in two ways:
- Sprinkle it on the problem area
- Make a paste of cornstarch and petroleum jelly. Apply it on the problem area
- Now put the fresh diaper
Monitor the rash periodically and if the problem is not getting better or it has become severe, discontinue the use of cornstarch.
- Coconut oil: You can use coconut oil for diaper rash prevention and also to cure the diaper rash. It has antimicrobial and antifungal properties to treat diaper rash efficiently. It soothes and heals the skin of the baby.
- Moisturize the skin with coconut oil. Apply it on the diaper area many times during the day.
- You can use coconut oil for baby diaper rash and also kill yeast like Candida with it. Simply add few tablespoons of coconut oil in the bath water of the baby. It will soothe the skin.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal is rich in protein and therefore oatmeal paste for diaper rash is a great way to nourish your baby’s skin. It preserves the skin’s natural protective barrier and has a compound called Saponin that removes unwanted dirt from the skin pores. Using oatmeal for diaper rash is extremely simple. Follow the steps mentioned below:
- Add a tablespoon of dried oatmeal to the bath water and let the baby stay in this water for ten to 15 minutes
- Bathe your baby in this solution
- Do this twice a day for soothing effect
- Baking soda: You can use baking soda for diaper rash treatment as it has great healing properties. You can use baking soda in two ways:
- Take four cups of water and two tablespoons of baking soda. Mix the soda well in water and each time you change the diaper of the baby, the affected area is affected by this mixture. Pat the skin dry before you put a clean diaper.
- Never put baking soda directly on diaper rash as it can cause some irritation to the baby’s skin. Simply add two tablespoons of baking soda to the tub of warm water and bathe the baby in this water at least three times a day. Bathe the baby for ten minutes each time. Again, make sure you pat the skin of the baby instead of rubbing. Let the baby’s skin be exposed to cool air before you put the diaper.
- Petroleum Jelly: Applying petroleum jelly or Vaseline for diaper rash is recommended by pediatrics. It acts like a thin protective layer to the baby’s skin. It protects the diaper area from irritating effects of feces and urine. You can also use Vaseline to prevent diaper rash on a daily basis. It will keep the sensitive skin of the baby in proper condition.
- Each time you take out the soiled diaper wash your baby’s skin with warm water
- Dry the skin well with cotton towel and apply Vaseline
- Do this every time you need to change the diaper of the baby. This will help the rash to heal quickly
- Apple cider vinegar: To balance the pH level of the skin apple cider vinegar for diaper rash is simply ideal. If you use the cloth diapers then rinse them in vinegar solution each time you have to wash them. The soap buildup and urine smell will go with this.
- Take a bucket of water and add two cups of apple cider vinegar in it. Soak the diapers in this solution for few minutes and then rinse with plain water. Using hot water will be much better.
- Take a cup of water and add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to it. Use the solution to wipe the baby’s bottom with it each time you change the diaper. Using Vinegar for diaper rash will keep the baby’s bottom yeast resistant.
You can use these extreme diaper rash remedies to speed the healing process and comfort your child.
Preparing homemade cream for yeast infection:
If your baby is suffering from yeast infection, then you can also make a homemade diaper rash cream for yeast to comfort your child. Here are a few steps to make this yeast infection cream:
- Take 1 teaspoon of castor oil, beeswax and extra virgin coconut oil.
- Take two teaspoons of Shea butter
- On a low flame heat the oils first and then add Shea butter followed by beeswax to it
- Allow the mixture to cool down and solidify
- Store in a dry place at room temperature
Each time you change the baby’s diaper, rinse and clean the skin of baby. Allow the skin to air dry. Then use this mixture and apply it on the affected area with the fingertips. Now put the fresh diaper.
A few tips to keep in mind to take care of your baby in a supreme way:
- Wash your hands every time you do a diaper change. Wash your hands before and after.
- Breast fed babies get less diaper rashes than bottle fed babies
- Pay attention to when your baby needs a diaper change. Change it as soon as the diaper becomes soiled or wet.
- Wash the diapers carefully to wash all germs. Dry the babies’ clothes, diapers, etc. in sun.
- Never rub the baby’s skin while cleaning. Simply, pat the skin and allow the skin to dry in air for sometime even if you have patted the skin well.
- Never use commercial baby wipes. Wipes with fragrances can irritate the baby’s skin. Clean the baby’s skin with plain water.
- If the baby has severe rash then use a squirt bottle to wash the area.
- Let your baby be diaper free as much as possible.
