Natural Diaper Rash Relief & Prevention
Written by Tara Fox, DNP of the Excell Pediatrics Program
Diaper rash occurs due to friction between your baby’s skin and the diaper fabric causing the skin to break down and sometimes resulting in yeast or bacterial infection. Unfortunately, diaper rash is likely to occur in all diaper-wearing infants at some point. Not to worry, there are multiple over-the-counters and natural options for at-home prevention and treatment!
Prevention Techniques:
Avoid detergents with dyes and fragrances. Although you are not likely washing your diapers (exception: those using cloth diapers), dyes and fragrances can rub off on the diaper surface and cause irritation to the areas of contacted skin.
Pick the “right” diaper. It is important to pick the right size and fabric. Be sure to review the information on the packaging to ensure sizing. The diaper should fit snug to the legs and stomach without causing discomfort. We encourage dye free, fragrance free, paraben and chlorine free fabrics. Recommendations: Pampers PURE or Honest Company diapers. You can often find these products locally. (E.G. at Target and Walmart) Thrive Market Organic diapers are also a good option.
Frequent diaper changes. Be sure to change the diaper as soon as you notice that it is wet. It is common for infants and toddlers to have as many as 10 wet diapers a day! Frequent changes can decrease excessive skin break down.
Barrier cream applied to fold and creases. Barrier creams, serve just as that- a barrier- between the skin and the sometimes abrasive surface of diapers. They can protect the skin from break down and should be used with each or every other diaper change. Recommendations (all of which can be found at any drugstore or larger department store): Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment, and Babyganic Diaper Rash Cream
Treatment Techniques:
Identify the cause. Recognizing the cause is the first step to treatment. Is your baby drinking more and going in their diaper more frequently? Are there specific areas that are irritated and covering can be avoided? Determining the root cause is the best way to prevent future events.
Increasing barrier cream frequency. Try every diaper change instead of every other if you have not tried this already
Apply probiotics to the diaper region. Weird right? But proven to be effective. Some studies have shown topical application of probiotics can minimize and treat diaper yeast infections. Recommendations: store-bought plain yogurt (no sugars or cornstarch), Ortho Molecular Ortho Biotic, or Ultra Flora Balance, apply capsule powder after each diaper change until resolution for 24 hours.
Call us to schedule an appointment! If you have tried over-the-counters and natural remedies with no improvement, it may be time for an evaluation. Always come in if the rash appears to be wet or has blisters, is not getting better over 24-48 hours, or you have concerns for secondary infection. We will walk you through your options deciding with you what is best for your baby!
You want your child to benefit from functional medicine as early as possible! This begins as early as you make the decision for you and your little ones. Sign your children up for the Excell Pediatrics Program today! We have recruited one of the best pediatric experts in the nation, Tara Fox DNP, to lead E.P.P!!! Sign your child up for the Excell Pediatrics Program.
