Five effective home remedies for diaper rash

While a diaper rash is nothing serious, it can cause a lot of discomfort for your baby.

Medically known as irritant diaper dermatitis or nappy rash, it is a patchwork of inflamed, bright red skin on the buttocks. Caused commonly by wet or infrequently changed nappies which encourage bacteria to occur, it can also be linked to diarrhoea, new foods and antibiotics.

In severe cases, symptoms such as fever and widespread rash can occur.

Good news is, there is relief in over the counter medication and better yet, you can soothe your baby’s rash with some easy home remedies.

Here are five ways to do this:

Oatmeal

Take some oatmeal with zero additives and grind it to a fine powder. Take a handful of the powdered oatmeal and put it in your baby’s birth water. Let your baby soak in it for 15 minutes. This is a great remedy for diaper rash and also treats heat rash.

Breast milk

Breast milk does have some wonderful healing properties to it. Simply apply some breast milk on the rashes and let it air dry before you put on a new diaper on the baby. Results will be seen in a few days depending on severity.

Virgin coconut oil

Coconut oil just might be the easiest of all home remedies for rashes. Just make sure to apply a thin layer of virgin coconut oil to your baby’s bottom after you have cleaned it. Put a new diaper on after this and repeat until the rashes disappear.

Baking soda

Take your baby’s bathing tub and fill it with some water. Add two tablespoons of baking soda to this. Wash your baby with this water but be sure not to repeat this more than three times a day. The baking soda will kill any bacteria on your baby’s skin.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of those common items at home that can do almost anything. Take one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and add it to a half cup of water. Apply some on your baby’s bottom and let it air dry before putting on a new diaper.