Diaper Rash

Natural remedies

Diaper rash is quite common and can occur as long as your baby has diapers. There are two different kinds of rashes:

a contact diaper rash caused by a reaction to: disposable diapers, diarrhea, urine, soaps, etc. The skin is red and irritated, sometimes dry and scaling.
a fungal diaper rash caused by a candida yeast in the intestinal tract. The skin tends to be bright red and shiny. If the origin is fungal, your baby might have thrush as well.

You should ask your doctor for a diagnostic to insure the diaper rash is treated correctly and to be sure there isn’t an infection.

Diaper rash remedies: healing nutrition
Diaper rash remedies: supplements
Diaper rash remedies: homeopathic remedies
Diaper rash remedies: other home remedies
Diaper rash remedies: external links
Diaper rash remedies: references

Diaper rash remedies: healing nutrition

If you are nursing your baby, some food should be eliminated from your diet, if possible. Allergenic foods could be the cause of a diaper rash, which include coffee, sugar, wheat, dairy, and citrus fruit.

It is important that you and your baby drink plenty of water. First, to dilute the irritating acids present in your baby’s urine and stool, and secondly, to dilute any substances that come from you and pass through your breast milk on to the baby.

A new food that you just introduced in your baby's diet may be the culprit, and it might take a while for your baby to adapt to it. It might also be due to a food allergy.

If the origin of the rash is bacterial, take probiotics as a supplement for you and possibly the baby and eat foods made with live bacteria culture such as cheese, yogurt, kefir, tempeh, miso, and sauerkraut.

Diaper rash remedies: supplements

If the origin of the rash is bacterial, you could take probiotics as a supplement so that it goes through the breast milk directly to the baby. It is also safe to give probiotics directly to your baby. You can find probiotics for infants in most natural food stores. For a breastfed baby, it may be easier to put a small amount of yogurt on your nipple.

Diaper rash remedies: homeopathic remedies

Sulphur when the rash is very red, irritated and sore
Thuja for persistent diaper rash

Homeopathy is specific to each individual, please consult a homeopath for better results.

Also see homeopathic remedies for skin

Diaper rash remedies: other home remedies

A warm water bath with added calendula or chamomile helps soothe the skin.
Calendula cream applied on the rash heals the skin.
Evening primrose oil is also commonly used for its natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Gently clean your baby’s skin with each diaper change, rinse well and keep the skin dry. Baking soda mixed with some water can also be applied to balance the acidity of urine and stool.

When your child has a diaper rash, he/she should go without a diaper as much as possible. Air and sunlight are helpful in preventing and healing a diaper rash.

Cloth diapers are better than disposable diapers that irritate the skin. Commercial diaper wipes can also irritate the skin. It is advised to use witch hazel or calendula lotion on sensitive skin instead of chemical wipes.

Also see babies & skin rashes or find good skin care recipes to make at home, such as Oleo Calcareous Liniment!

Diaper rash remedies: external links

Dietary reference intake (USDA RDA chart)
Dosage Guidelines for Herbs and Nutritional Supplements for children

Diaper rash remedies: references

Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995