Help with Bad Diaper Rash...

Just about any parent can tell you about an experience with diaper rash. It is very common and often causes great discomfort for both baby and parents. There are many ointments, creams and lotions on the market aimed at healing and preventing diaper rash. For some, simple home remedies work the best and have fewer unknown ingredients to worry about. Here are some home remedies that can help in easing sore bottoms and worried parents.

Giving your baby a warm water bath is the first step in easing their discomfort. Adding some oatmeal to the water is a great tip. Just pour a cupful into the running water and let your baby bathe as usual.

Next dry the bottom very carefully; a harsh towel will just cause more pain and irritation. A blow-dryer on the lowest/cool setting works wonders. Keep the dryer moving constantly until the area is completely dry.

Giving the bottom some air is the next step. Let your baby lay without his/her diaper on, preferably on a towel on your chest, or for older infants let them sit on a waterproof play mat. A good 30 minutes of this each day goes far in helping the rash clear.

Next, use one of these tried and tested home remedies:

Ingredients: Oliver Oil & Water
Instructions: Whisk a tablespoon of olive oil with 5 drops of water until it forms a smooth creamy texture. Apply to affected area.

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Desitin & Vasaline
Instructions: Sprinkle babies bottom with the corn starch, just a light sprinkle to cover the area. Next cover with the Desitin and lastly layer with the Vasaline.

Ingredients: Milk of Magnesia
Instructions: Pour the milk of magnesia all over the affected area, and repeat until rash has gone.

Ingredients: Cod Liver Oil Capsules
Instructions: Open the capsules and pour the oil over the affected area.

Ingredients: Flour & Frying Pan
Instructions: Put enough flour into the frying pan for a couple of
applications. Then on medium heat, keep stirring the flour until it turns a light golden brown. Apply a light dusting at each diaper change.

Avoid using commercial baby-wipes & soap. These both contain harsh amounts of alcohol which will irritate the skin even more. Change the diaper often and follow the above steps for a happy, healthy rash-free baby!

Copied from ( http://www.thelaboroflove.com/articles/home-remedies-for-... )

I tried the flour one and it worked! Now I use unscented diaper wipes and give the old air it out technique as often as possible and it helps, too. I also use cloth diapers. . .

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter had a severe case of diaper rash many, many years ago, and even back then the pediatrician recommended over the counter Lotrimin. It is located in the with the athletes feet medicines. The pediatrician said to gently clean the bottom in a luke-warm bath and dry gently. Apply the foot cream all over. The other thing she recommended is leaving her bottom exposed to air for a bit each day. My baby was quite young when I was having issues with her so I just doubled up a quilt and laid her on her belly with some toys in front of her. I don't suppose that would be easy for a 2 year old. The pediatrician also advised that I not use vaseline type products because they tend to trap the bacteria that is causing the rash up against the skin. If you can let her run naked a bit to let the air get to her, then I would at least try some cloth training pants, they may let more air in than a diaper. This may all sound messy, but if it works....who cares. I would rather clean up a mess than have a miserable child.

My son is just getting over this. We had to use Lotromin AF (Antifungal)... the one for jock itch. I would call and double check with the doc first though but it worked GREAT for us! took about a week to clear up (started at his groin and had spread to the butt before it healed). frequent diaper changes also help. instead of using wash clothes, I would rinse the wipes with baby soap and water and then put some more soap and water and wash the baby. also, Bordeaux's Butt Paste keeps the area nice and dry.

After battling diaper rash with three babies, I found that taking the diaper off and letting the bottom "air out" is the best way to heal the rash.I've found that sometimes diaper cream or paste keeps moisture on the skin, and the skin doesn't get a chance to dry out and heal. I would put some towels down on the floor in a designated play area while the diaper is off, especially if your little one is still getting over being sick.
Hope she feels better!

My mother always swore that with every poopy diaper (or whenever possible!) to put baby's bottom right under the sink and wash with dial or any antibacterial soap, then pat dry. Any white soap is really OK, as long as it is antibacterial and unscented. This way the little heinie is nice and clean and there is no rubbing with any cloth or wipes to irritate the skin. Good luck!

My daughter had diaper rash so bad after her first shots that she has blisters that busted on her female parts. We tried EVERYTHING we could find, but nothing worked. Then, I remembered where the Lanolin creme used for breastfeeding is safe to use as a diaper rash cream and it started clearing up immediately! I keep it on hand for my kids, just in case! I hope this helps!

Hi there B.,

Just a thought: Have you checked to make sure your little girl doesn't have a diaper yeast infection? My daughter wound up acquiring one of them after severe diarrhea. We needed to get her a special prescription.

If you haven't checked with your pediatrician, it might be worth a call.

Good luck!

T. :)

do not use baby wipes if they have a bad rash. the alcohol in the wipes will irriatate the skin more. use a warm wash cloth. another thing that is good,is to put them in a warm bath with baking soda. the bordeaux butt paste is good to use with a bad rash. the main thing is to keep them clean and dry as you can so moisture does no harbor and make it worse.may be also put on some baby powder on the behind that has some cornstarch in with a fresh diaper before she goes to sleep.

One home remedy that I have used with my children is cornstarch and water mix. Just mix the cornstarch and water to a paste apply it to the bottom. It has worked wonders on my son. Everytime day care gave it anything citrus he would break out with a rash badly. Also avoid wipes with alcohol it makes the burn worse for them. Good luck and hope she feels better.

We stopped using wipes and used a warm washcloth and we would make sure his bottom was clean and dry before putting anything else on. I used A&D ointment or Desitin but when it was really bad I used Eucerin cream (a thick layer of cream not lotion). We also let him run around naked as much as possible to get some air on it.

I don't know about home remedies (my grandmother says that you should only use vaseline, but I haven't had much luck with that), but I swear by butt paste!! My little guy screamed any time he even saw the desetin or balmex because it must burn when you put it on. But I never see a tear when we use butt paste- even on his worst diaper rash. And it seems to take the redness away quicker than any other cream we've tried.

The very best diaper ointment I have EVER used is called Pinxav. It's pronounced pink salve. It's quite pricey, but well worth it! It clears up the worst diaper rashes I've encountered. And as a mom of 3, I've encountered quite a few! Check ebay or pinxav.com Good luck and I hope her rash gets better soon!

editing to add: any white soap that is antibacterial is not soap -- it is a cleaner/ a detergent -- there is a difference and it is not a natural choice for a babies skin. Please feel free not to believe me and ask an allergy specialist.
The receipe suggestion below is from the encyclopedia of Healing Remedies written by the founder of the American Holistic Medicine Assoc and a renowned neurosurgeon. Just wanted to note it comes from a legit source.:)

refrain from the commercial wipes and disposables. Get some cheapy gerbers if necessary from babies r us to get you through a few day.
AIR as much as possible.
Rub the skin of an avocado on the rash to encourage healing.
Wash the bottom with a little diluted cider vinegar and allow it to dry before putting on the diaper.
Live yogurtcan be spread on the diaper area to soothe, and to prevent thrush from occurring in the fold of the skin.

I would stay away from any steriod creams unless you cannot achieve any results with natural approach items.

We used bag balm alot. cheapy green tin can will last you years.

I second the clean with fresh water instead of wipes and give it as much air time as you can. The cream/lotion that works for my kids is Aquaphor. It's basically Vasoline, but it works when Vasoline doesn't for whatever reason. My ped said it's more refined - it's definitely more pricey, but it worked nearly instantly for mine. I notice a huge difference after the first change so in my mind it's worth the price. We've since used it with good results for nearly any skin iritation on all of our very sensitive skin that my kids and I seems to have.

My kids all had really bad diaper rashes at one time or another. All I ever did is soak them in a warm bath and use Desitin Creamy with every diaper change. Also, I used a warm wash cloth to clean their butts rather than the wipes.

I see you got alot of advice but...Lotrimin cream (for athletes foot). Wipe the area clean then apply Lotrimin cream (generic is okay) and Aquaphor or even vaseline on top as a barrier. My friend that had triplets recommended it to me. I checked with my pediatrician and it is safe. I used this trick when my boys had diaper rash so bad it made me cringe. It works quickly and is a lifesaver.

The best thing we've ever used is California Baby's Diaper Area Wash. We spritz it on with each diaper change and have yet to see any kind of rash in almost 8mos. Its aloe and witch hazel, and also makes for great homemade wipes. Its also a miracle worker at getting off the caked/baked on 'gunk'.

Hi B.,
We've been thru this before,as well. Triple Paste works wonders! You can buy it at the Pharmacy Counter of your local Rite Aid. It's not a prescription, but you get it at the pharmacy counter.
You've got lots of good advice about cleaning her with a warm washcloth...b/c yes, the wipes do sting.
Best of luck...Triple Paste really works well.

When this would happen with my kids the doctor told us to rinse their bum in the sink instead of wiping it with wipes when changing them. Then gentley pat dry. Try to leave her bare butt as much as possible maybey for a hour or so after shes eliminated. They also suggested to use a layer vaseline over top over the diaper rash cream (desitin or butt paste).
Are you sure its not a yeast infection? Yeast infections look just like diaper rash. If it is then use hydrocordizone (sp?) anti fungal with a layer of vaseline over top. It will clear it right up in a day or two.

If you can find it go buy barbersol shaving cream in the tube (NOT IN THE CAN __Does not work) i have used it and i have even called pfiser in new york and got a case shipped right to my house but i haven't had that problem for 4 years. good luck. T.

I also agree that the wipes make it worse. Warm water on paper towels with a little baby soap works well. Then i would put a ton of diaper rash medicine on. Although the post is right in saying that you may need perscription now. Poor little girl...i hated when they had diaper rash :(

Hi B.~
Hope your little one is feeling better. Our doctor recommended not touching the sore spots, but instead using a squirt bottle either over the sink or in the tub to clear away any messes, then using the hair dryer on low and cool to dry the bottom, then applying a product called Calmoseptine (contains zinc oxide and works as a barrier see calmoseptine.com for more details) which we got on AmericaRx.com, plus when really bad adding hydrocortisone cream on top. It was miraculous how fast this worked. Now the only diaper rash ointment we use is Calmoseptine. Aquaphor for everything else as noted is our second favorite miracle worker in the world. All the best...and Happy New Year!

Hi B.,

Get the baby's doc to order Vusion ointment for her rash. She may have a yeast along with the irritation.

Hope this helps. Merry Christmas. D.

My daughter had really sensitive skin as a baby. I always bathed her in Shaklee's Basic-H (it's pH balanced) and used Balmex. I've recommended it to others and they've had the same results. It makes a great bubble bath. You'll have to find a distributor in your area. You'll be amazed at all it's uses!

B.:
I know you've had a ton of recommendations for products so I am so sorry to give you another one, but...
Desitin CLEAR is the ONLY one that ever worked for us (I've tried about 80% of the ones recommended here). Not the regular (which we really do not like at all) but the clear...it is really pricey, but lasts a long time. My sister-in-law (who has eight, yes, eight kids) swears by it. Just my two cents. Hope your angel feels better, poor thing...it is just so hard to see them in pain, isn't it?
I hope something here works for you.:)

everyone is giving you lots of topical creams to use..which are great..but you may also want to think about just using a cloth and water to clean her up after she goes..I know it's easier to use wipes but they could irratate her too. then put on the cream after she is dry..pat her dry with a soft wash cloth...it will make it easier for her when you are changing her.

Good luck.

Lots of baths. It soothes their little bottoms better than wiping all the time. Also, lay off the juice, it makes more diarrhea. I use bagabom. Not sure how to spell it, but it works great. Keep it caked on the diaper rash. Good luck.

I totally agree with a few of the respondants who mentioned just using a warm washcloth instead of wipes, and the Triple Paste. It is the BEST! I also use Caldesene powder (pink container) in conjunction with the Triple Paste and it clears even my son's sorest bottom in hours! (It looks like you are baking a cake in there, but it works!)
Good luck!

Hi! Triple paste is my favorite since it heals, soothes asnd protects. Airing out is great too! Google yeast diaper rash too see if your baby's looks like it could be yeast. If it does you need to talk to your pediatrician cause you'll need a script for nystatin cream or vusion cream. Good luck and keep that butt dry!

Hi! I don't know if you have tried these already, but the two best I have found for BAD diaper rash is 'Boudreaux's Butt Paste' and 'Triple Paste'. Both can be found at Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, etc. Not super expensive, but worth every penny and then some!!! Good luck!!! :D

My daughter got really horrible diaper rash in reaction to an antibiotic that she was taking, and the pediatrician said to skip the wipes and to have her sit in the tub a couple of times a day with baking soda in the bath water. It worked like magic! I almost didn't do it because I didn't think there was anyway something so simple would work, but it did. Good luck.

Hi B.. Go to your local Giant Eagle Pharmancy and have them order you PINXAV (pronounced Pink-salve). It is $5 for a 4oz tube. The UPC # is 024115013001 you can also find it at www.pinxav.com or call 1-888-4-PINXAV. I was introduced to it when my daughter had a rash that A&D wouldn't work on. They use it at Children's Hospital in Akron Ohio and a friend of mine that was a nurse there told me about it. I have used it ever since on my own and the children I have babysat over the years. It is AMAZING on any kind of diaper rash you can think of and once you have tried it you will understand how great it is. A single tube last a long time too!! If your Giant Eagle has a question tell them to call the Giant Eagle in North Versailles on Rt. 30... they have ordered it for me and should still have at least one tube on hand (they ordered a couple of tubes when I asked them for it). Good luck & Best wishes.

I sweara by zinc oxide. I used it as a lifeguard, and then started using it on everything. It takes the burning feeling away. And it's greasy so it'll help to protect the skin from liquids. Vasseline will do the same thing, regarding keeping her urine off her rash, but it doesn't have the same healing stuff that zinc oxide has in it. It's sometimes hard to find, so if you can't find it at the pharmacy area of Wal-Mart, or your supermarket, ask the pharmacist. They probably have it and can tell you where to look. (it's an over-the-counter item, and comes in a tube)

Corn starch can also be helpful. It's great on baby bottoms, and it doesn't have any of the non-natural stuff that baby powder has. I've also used baking soda -- to neutraize the acidity of the urine when it comes out, but I wouldn't be inclined to use it if there are any open sores.

The best thing you can do is to keep your child dry, with frequent diaper changes. Also, if you're brave, the best way to help a diaper rash to heal, is to remove the diaper, so the butt is exposed tot he air where it will heal faster than when it's closed up in the diaper.

Also -- if the easy remedies don't begin to help, call your doctor. Some rashes are caused by yeast, and others by bacteria, versus just being caused by irritation to the skin. If she has a yeast or bacterial infection going, she'll need a prescription.

My guess is that while she was sick, she was somewhat dehydrated, which made the urine stronger and more irritating. So keep her as hydrated as you can (without going overboard), and change her diaper often, or at least check it often. My doc used to advocate getting out of paper diapers and into cloth ones -- putting extras on to protect us, but no rubber pants to hold the moisture against the skin. I haven't seen well made cloth diapers in 15 years, though, so I didn't list that up above.

I have found great results with burts bees diaper cream.

Try Lotrimin 1% cream morning and evening. This is an over the counter cream and comes in generic form also. Ask the pharmacist what the generic is. A thin coat on a clean dry perineal area. She could have developed a yeast infection. It might take a day or two to see a difference. If it gets worse using this cream stop and call your doctor. Try feeding her yogurt every day also once she feels better.

Butt paste worked the quickest for me. Target carries it. Poor lil one. I used washcloths too. wipes always irritated their skin.

My oldest daughter had a terrible time with diaper rashes. We tried airing her out, not using wipes and using just warm, wet paper towels. The best at home remedy that worked for us was Bag Balm. Typically though, we would end up having to get a prescription. A friend of mine mentioned Butt Monkey creme. It's found at Tractor Supply. I've never used it but it's worth a shot. Hope your little one gets better!

L.
Independent Beachbody Coach
www.exercise2day.com
blog:www.exercise2dayinfo.blogspot.com

Corn starch baby powder!

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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AQUAPHORE by Euceruin is the absolute BEST!!! It is like a vaseline consistency, and will start to clear it up in hours. I first used it for the same reason you have, now I use i for everything (no more diaper rash in my life), chapped lips, dry skin, even helps heals cuts.
You can find it in the baby isle or the lotion isle at any store.
Anytime I am invited to a baby shower or giving a baby gift, I add a tub or a tube.

From my experience A & D ointment is the best for diaper rash. Put it on for each change. Also make you use either non scented wipes, or a wet washcloth. The perfumes can really sting a rash. Try to let her air dry some. Run around naked and get some air to it. It will help dry the area and heal the rash. Good luck.

Aveeno oatmeal baths can help or even cornstarch. Keep an eye on it though, my daughter had diaper rash so bad one time that she needed a prescription ointment. Also try to keep her as dry as possible, even if that means no diaper at all. Good Luck!