Diaper Rash Natural Treatments
Diaper rash - anyone who has a baby has probably seen at least occasional bouts. The baby's bottom develops a rash when left unchanged for a period of time. Some outbreaks last only a day or two, others last for long periods, getting worse. Sometimes babies don't seem to be bothered by the rash, while at other times they cry with pain.
Symptoms
Diaper rash may show up as red patches in the genital area of a baby. There may also be small red dots or large welts. They may develop blisters or bleeding cracks in severe cases. The rash may or may not cause pain, depending on how severe the irritation is.
Causes
Diaper rash has many causes, including prolonged moisture in the diaper area, exposure to feces or urine, allergic reactions to different foods, diarrhea, chafing, and irritation of the skin due to chemicals or fabric. Chemicals can be found in disposable diapers and in the detergents used to clean cloth diapers.
Cautions
Severe cases may open up the skin for infection. If diaper rash does not go away, gets worse or there is another skin irritation as well, see your doctor.
Herbal Treatments
External Applications
- Chickweed - apply as cream or ointment to affected area. To apply as poultice, add 200 grams fresh leaves with boiling water to make a paste. Allow to cool, spread onto gauze or cotton strips and apply to affected area for 15 minutes.
- Calendula – apply this antibacterial herb in a cream directly on the diaper rash to speed healing and prevent infection.
- Chamomile – applying chamomile tea onto the rash is soothing. It helps relieve inflammation and irritation.
- Plantain – take the fresh leaves and crush them. Place these crushed leaves inside a dry diaper to soothe the skin and quicken healing. Plantain oil and tea can also be applied to baby's bottom.
- Tea – place a few teabags into a fresh diaper when you change your baby. Tannins will be released when baby relieves himself and will help heal rash. The skin may appear brown from the tea, but it is easily washed off.
- Oats – bathe a baby with a rash in an oatmeal bath. Add finely ground oats to the bathwater to soothe irritated skin.
- Tea tree – add some tea tree oil to the laundry if you use cloth diapers. The tea tree oil will help destroy any germs that remain in the cotton diapers.
- Comfrey – apply comfrey salve or oil to baby's bottom at diaper changing time. A poultice can also be used, but is messier.
- Viola – use a tincture or cream made of viola. This herb will soothe the skin and help it heal.
- Fenugreek – add some powder of fenugreek to just enough water to make a paste and apply it to the diaper rash. Use it sparingly.
- Lavender – add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a half pound of cornstarch in a ziplock bag. Close the bag and shake to mix the oil into the cornstarch. Let it stand for at least 4 days. Use as needed like baby powder during diaper changes.
- Olive – the oil from olives makes a great diaper rash defense. Just slather baby's bottom with olive oil to protect the skin from irritants and it helps heal a rash if it already exists.
- Shea – the butter from the shea nut is moisturizing, yet it forms a seal on the skin. It can help skin to heal and can help prevent reoccurrences.
- Vervain - use as a compress. Add handful of dried herb to 150 ml boiling water, steep for 10 minutes. Use a cotton cloth to apply to affected skin 2 - 3 times a day.