5 Home Remedies To Prevent Diaper Rashes In Children

Given their tendency to poop ten times a day, babies spend most of their initial years with a diaper strapped on until they are old enough to potty train. However indispensable diapers may be, they can also become a source of suffering, both for the baby and the parents.Every now and again, your child’s sensitive skin is bound to get irritated within the warm and moist confines of a tightly secured diaper.

In fact, one of the most common skin problems in babies below the age of 3 is the development of an uncomfortable rash on their bottom.This kind of contact dermatitis is a result of prolonged moisture of the nappy-enclosed skin, constant friction of the skin against the diaper, and contact with chemicals in the baby’s urine and stool.

A diaper rash is characterized by inflamed skin and a rash in the diaper area, which includes the upper thighs, buttocks, and genital area.Infants between the ages of 9 months and 12 months are particularly prone to this problem given they spend most of their time sitting, allowing minimal air circulation within the diaper. Moreover, it is at this age that babies are administered solid foods for the first time, which ends up making their bowel movements more acidic.Sleepy-head babies that doze off for long hours tend to remain in wet and soiled diapers for longer and therefore show a greater predisposition to this condition. Although most prevalent among infants and toddlers, a diaper rash can afflict people who wear adult diapers or incontinence briefs as well, regardless of their age.

* Give Your Child Diaper-Free Time

When an infant has a diaper rash, ensuring that they spend some time during the day with no diaper or bottoms on can help the area to dry out and heal.People should also avoid putting infants in tight, synthetic, or rubber bottoms while they have a diaper rash.Dressing them in loose bottoms made of 100 percent cotton can help to keep the rash dry and allow the skin to breathe.

* Rinse the Bottom with Every Diaper Change

The best way to cleanse your baby’s bottom before every diaper change is to rinse the skin with ample amounts of warm water. If your baby has had a bowel movement, you might want to couple the water with a gentle soap for added cleansing.However, using soap often can delay the healing of the rash and is therefore advised only in the case of soiled diapers. Make sure to use a gentle, unscented, or fragrance-free soap. After rinsing your child’s bottom, make sure that the skin is completely dry before strapping on a new diaper.When opting for baby wipes, make sure you choose a brand that does not contain any added fragrance or alcohol. Some parents even prefer to use dampened washcloths made from soft fabric to wipe their baby’s diaper region clean.

* Vinegar Works as a Gentle Disinfectant

Stale urine is extremely alkaline in nature and can burn a baby’s soft skin, much like an acid. In this regard, vinegar is one of the best ingredients to offset the high pH. If you are using reusable diapers or cloth diapers, rinse them in a vinegar solution. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to 1/2 a bucket of water and use this solution to rinse your baby’s diapers. This will help get rid of any soap buildup in the diapers as well as any urine smell. Make a very weak vinegar solution by adding 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to 1 cup of water. Use this solution to wipe your baby’s bottom when changing the diaper. This simple step will help to make your baby’s bottom resistant to yeast.

* Apply Petroleum Jelly

Many pediatricians recommend applying a thin layer of protective coating on the baby’s soft skin every time you change a diaper. Petroleum jelly is perfect for this purpose. It will help protect the diaper area from the irritating effects of urine and feces. After removing a soiled diaper, clean your baby’s bottom with warm water.Dry it well with a cotton towel, and then apply petroleum jelly.Do this every time your baby needs a diaper changed, and the diaper rash will heal quickly.

* Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has antifungal and antimicrobial properties and, hence, can be used to treat a diaper rash. It can also have a soothing and healing effect on the baby’s soft skin. Coconut oil works as a great moisturizer. Gently apply some coconut oil on the diaper area several times a day. You can even add several tablespoons of coconut oil to the bath water for added moisturizing. It will help kill yeast, such as Candida, which causes diaper rashes as well.