Natural Ways to Treat Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a very unpleasant and uncomfortable rash for your poor little baby to endure. Sadly, almost all babies experience diaper rash at one point or another, so avoiding it is almost inevitable.

Diaper rash is usually caused by bacteria attacking your baby's bottom. The bacteria gets there from excessive wetness, which is then held in place by the diaper; allowing the bacteria to grow and form a severe rash. Other causes of diaper rash include: diapers that are too tight and not properly washing cloth diapers.

If you catch the rash very early, you may not have to do much of anything to treat it. First, try washing your baby's bottom really well, without irritating the skin too much. Then, dry the bottom really well with either a towel or a hair dryer set on the lowest setting. If you opt for a hair dryer, make sure to not hurt your baby with the heat of it. Keep it fairly far away from the skin and on the lowest setting. Once you have the bottom dry, allow your baby to go without a diaper for some time. The rash needs to "air-out" or breath a little, which a diaper prevents.

If this doesn't work, or if the rash has already progressed fairly far, then you need to look for other options. If you don't want to use store bought creams with chemicals in them that you're not sure about, or simply don't want to introduce your baby to, try using some all natural methods first.

Do remember, if none of this helps, you may want to consult with your pediatrician about what options you have. Your baby's rash might have already progressed too far for conventional methods to work.

Breast milk is kind of the cure-all for mommy and baby. Not only does it help your baby grow and thrive, but it can also cure common skin ailments mommies and babies have to face.

Mommies can use their own breast milk to help with cracked nipples, something all mommies face when breastfeeding. Breast milk can also be used to treat diaper rash.

The way to treat diaper rash with breast milk is by simply squirting (for lack of a better word) a little of your milk on the rash. Then, allow the milk to air dry on the infected area. Many mothers will claim that this has worked much better than any cream or any other product.

Do be careful when using breast milk, because it can cause yeast infections if applied improperly.

One of the best ways to treat a diaper rash is to let your baby go without a diaper for intermittent periods of time. Preferably keep the diaper off for 30 minutes after every diaper change. This will help the rash air out and allow for a speedier healing process.

Olive Oil has been used for thousands of year by people like the Italians, Spanish, and Greeks to treat almost every skin and hair ailment under the sun. The nice thing about this is that Olive Oil does in fact generally work for most rashes, dry skin, and dry hair issues.

For use on a diaper rash, mix about a tablespoon of olive oil with about a teaspoon of water. Mix the two together until it is well blended. Then apply the mixture to the baby's dry bottom. Allow this mixture to air dry before putting a diaper back on.

Oatmeal bathes are great for many different skin ailments, especially dry skin and some rashes. Simply add all natural oats to your baby's warm bath water. The oatmeal also helps to soothe your baby's skin, making the rash more tolerable for them and help them sleep a little better.

The cause behind your baby's rash may be due to an allergy problem. Many babies are allergic to certain brands of diapers, as well as various chemicals found in detergents and baby wipes. If you think this might be the case, try changing brands on the products you use.

The best option would be to go with all natural products. 7th Generation offers detergents, baby wipes, and diapers that are all safe and devoid of many chemicals that babies are allergic to. 7th Generation products can be found at Target, Amazon, and some Walmarts.

If you are concerned about the diapers you are using and want to completely change diapers all together, you may try cloth diapers. Cloth diapers, especially unbleached cloth diapers, are devoid of nearly all the chemicals you find in disposable diapers.

I have read some mothers claim that applying egg whites directly to the rash helps eliminate it. I have never tried this method, nor do I know anyone that has, but it would be a method worth trying if others haven't worked out for you thus far.

If you use cloth diapers, especially the pre-folded kind, make sure the creams and oils you are using are safe on the diaper. Many creams and oils break down the fibers of the cloth diaper, lessening their life expectancy. Also, some of these oils and creams can cause staining that will not come out.

To avoid this, switch to disposable diapers until the rash is cleared up, or simply use liners within your cloth diapers if you don't already do so. The breast milk method should be safe on the cloth diaper. However, methods like the Olive Oil one are not, so you will definitely need to use a liner or disposable diapers if you go with that method.