How to Treat Severe Diaper Rash At Home

If you’re a new parent or have kids still in diapers, then you know the torturous pain of dealing with bad diaper rash. The poor little things suffer so badly when it spreads and worsens to the point where they can no longer wear the diaper. And you feel so horrible when you’re wiping their little bums and they cry out in pain. I know, I feel you, I’ve been there.

But taking to them to the doctor usually just results in being sent home with instructions to keep it clean and dry. Better said than done when you have a poop machine running around your house. But there are natural ways to treat really bad diaper rash at home, I promise. It worked for me, so I’m sure it can work for anyone else.

What Causes It?

There’s a few culprits and, really, when you’re little one spends 24-7 in a diaper there’s really no way to avoid them. But things like diarrhea, heat rash, constant rubbing in the same area, a bacterial or even yeast infection (yes, babies can get these), if they’ve been on antibiotics recently, and even if they just have sensitive skin.

Either way, it doesn’t matter how your baby got the rash, it has to run its course and will eventually go away. But you can help alleviate your baby’s pain and make them more comfortable. 

Ways to Treat It

Like I said before, you can go to the doctor but that may be a wasted effort as they’ll likely send you home with a list of things to try such as this.

These few tips are all natural, chemical free, and easy to do. If you do any of them, you’ll begin to see a noticeable change in the rash as well as your baby’s mood.

A Nice, Luke Warm Bath

Run some bath water for your baby but make it slightly cooler than normal. The refreshing sensation of the water will sooth their little bums and clean out any dirt and germs that may be lurking in the sores. Try and avoid the use of perfume soaps, or any soaps for that matter, as they can just irritate their raw skin. Instead, just let them soak and play in the bath. You’ll both be happier for it.

READ Childhood Rashes: Worry Or Not?

Air Dry

After the nice, long and refreshing bath dry your baby off and try to avoid rubbing their skin with the towel. Instead, pat dry and then let them run around to air dry for a while. Putting a fresh diaper on over moist or damp skin is just asking for the rash to flare up and the pain to ensue. Yes, you may have an accident or two on the floor, but it can be cleaned up. It’s much better than the alternative.

Diaper-less Goes Hand In Hand With The Air Drying

This goes hand in hand with the air drying, but if you’re child is a little older and can understand the concept of going potty, then try your hand at getting rid of the diaper altogether. At least until the rash is gone. It will speed up the healing process and could even kick start the actual potty training experience.

If your baby is still too young for that, then try and remove the diaper for long periods of time throughout the day. Give their bums as much air time as possible.

Topical Creams

You can go to any drug store and get a topical cream off the shelf. And most pharmacists make their own blend in-house, you just have to ask for it at the counter.

There are a few trusted brands out there, just take a look at a few and decide which one works best for you. Topical creams are fortified with zinc, cortisone, and eosin. These are all key ingredients to creating a paste-like substance that goes on wet and sticks to skin to create a barrier over the affected area. It cools the rash, sooths the pain, and stays on for long periods of time. With the aid of a topical cream, it may actually be tolerable for them to wear the diaper again.

Corn Starch

As you see the rash begin to heal and disappear, use the help of a light dusting of corn starch. It’s a better alternative to baby powers because it has zero perfumes which, in turn, irritate skin. Corn starch will help keep the wrinkles and creases dry from moisture that can lead to another flare up.

READ Cloth Diapers: A Guide

Cool Dry Environment

After the nice soothing bath, the long period of air drying, and then the aid of a topical cream, put your baby to bed with very minimal coverings. No pants, maybe just a loose diaper or training underwear. A thin sheet or blanket, too. This will prevent sweating and chaffing throughout the night which could result in a crying baby in the morning if not avoided.

The same goes for the daytime. If you’re home all day, let baby run around in their underwear or a loose diaper. Don’t constrict the area or else you’ll never get rid of the diaper rash.

And there you have it! I hope these tips helped you to sooth your baby’s diaper rash at home.

If you have any tips and tricks of your own you’d like to share, feel free to comment below!