Nappy rash is an uncomfortable condition that most babies suffer from at one point or another. However, there are some great natural remedies to help ease the discomfort, and even better, there are some things that you can do to prevent the rash from occurring altogether. Read on to learn more.
What is Nappy Rash?
Nappy rash is a form of contact dermatitis that is usually acquired from wearing soiled or wet diapers for an extended period of time.
If your baby is suffering from a nappy rash, some of the skin that is covered by the nappy – usually the genital area and the skin folds in the thigh area and buttocks – will appear red and inflamed. The areas affected can be dry or moist and sometimes look pimply. If proper treatment is not applied, the rash can develop into bacterial or fungal infections.
The urine and faeces break down and release ammonia which is then reabsorbed by the skin. Nappy rash is a very common skin irritation that will affect all babies at some time or another.
What Are the Symptoms of Nappy Rash?
You can easily tell if your baby has diaper rashes because the signs are obvious. Besides constant crying and being irritable due to feelings of pain, itch and discomfort, your baby will have the following in their nappy area:
- Redness
- Swelling and soreness
- Itchy or painful rash
- Rash can spread to baby's back as well
What Causes Nappy Rash?
Diaper rashes are almost always caused by leaving babies in their wet nappies. However, there may be other contributing factors like illness, breastfeeding difficulties, food allergies, nappy rubbing against the skin because it's too tight, or a skin condition such as eczema.
When a baby's skin comes into contact with wee, poo or sweat as a result of staying in their dirty nappy for too long, it causes nappy rash.
How Do You Treat Nappy Rash?
First, stop using nappies that are too tight or rubbing against your baby's groin area. To treat nappy rash fast, follow these 4 steps:
- Keep your baby's diaper area clean by gently cleansing it with water and a mild cleanser on a cotton pad for at least one minute twice a day.
- Apply rash cream lightly on the affected area to protect your baby's skin from moisture and keep them clean. Because there are so many various types of barrier creams on the market, it's best to talk to your paediatrician about which one is best for your child.
- Keep your baby cool by using cloth diapers and avoiding thick disposable nappies while their nappy rash symptoms are healing.
- Buy good-quality disposable nappies if you really couldn't live without them.
Preventing Nappy Rash
There are some things that you can do in order to minimise the chances of nappy rash occurring. These include:
- Keeping the skin dry as much as possible by changing nappies as soon as they become wet or soiled
- Wash and rinse baby with clean warm water (not using soap or other scented products) and pat the skin dry with a soft cloth
- Let baby enjoy nappy-free time frequent times during the day
- Change to good-quality disposable nappies made from softer natural cotton
- Use powdered cornflour or arrowroot instead of talcum powder as they are soothing and won’t cause dry skin
- Babies that are breastfed are less likely to suffer from nappy rash
- Do not use fabric softeners because these can irritate your baby's skin
- To avoid skin infection, wash a cloth nappy with mild laundry detergent and then dry it fully in the sun before reusing it
Source: Baby Pharmacist
Natural Therapies for Treating Nappy Rash
There are natural remedies you can use to soothe and treat nappy rash. You can place a mullein leaf inside the nappy on the affected area. Another thing that you can do is to use a strong infusion of calendula or chickweed - steeped for 10 minutes in boiling water, strained and cooled to body temperature, and then allow your baby to sit and play in it for ten minutes. If you are breastfeeding your baby, consider the foods that you are eating as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and orange juice have been known to cause problems.
Instead of commercial steroid creams, use calendula ointment on the affected area after it has been cleaned to soothe and reduce inflammation. This should be done at every nappy change. Powdered goldenseal can be applied to a clean nappy area during changes.
Use Bach flower remedies rescue cream on the affected areas to soothe inflammation and ease pain and itching. If you like aromatherapy, add a drop of lavender or rose oil into a teaspoon of apricot kernel oil and rub gently into the nappy area. A homoeopathic remedy that can be used is rhus tox for itchy, blistered skin. Use sulphur if the skin is dry and scaled, and merc sol to reduce the acidity of the urine.
Aloe vera gel can also help to soothe nappy rash. For therapeutic bubble baths, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a tub of warm water and give your baby a sitz bath for ten minutes, two to three times a day.
Applying a nappy rash cream containing zinc oxide can also be a great way to prevent further infection. However, avoid any rash creams if the rash is caused by an allergy. If all else fails, apply breast milk topically on the affected area using cotton wool; it's antibacterial and can help soothe skin irritation. Breast milk is more effective than zinc oxide and cod liver oil in treating diaper rash, according to a study involving approximately a hundred newborns.
If your child experiences the nappy rash for longer than 3 to 4 days, take them to the doctor immediately as this could indicate something more serious other than a nappy rash.
Originally published on Dec 13, 2008
