To an extent, diaper rash is one of the many unavoidable issues that affect babies before the age of 2. Still, despite the fact that it’s common, that redness and soreness can mean that your baby is in a lot of discomfort. And, of course, there’s no mother out there who doesn’t want to remedy that discomfort as soon as possible.
Yes, there are plenty of diaper rash products on the market, made with ingredients meant to bring down that inflammation and irritation. However, maybe unsurprisingly, many of them are loaded with chemicals that may do more harm than good in the long run. So, how do you treat diaper rash naturally? Let’s find out.
What is Diaper Rash and What Directly Causes It?
Again, diaper rash is a very common condition that affects the large majority of babies. Baby skin is incredibly delicate, as it hasn’t yet developed resilience to the outside world. The friction of a diaper against the skin can cause a rash to develop, but what can make the rash more severe is the addition of wetness – in other words, a baby sitting in a wet diaper, before it’s been changed. This irritates the skin, at which point pathogens can enter and cause a more severe rash to develop.
Now that you’re aware for what causes the condition, the question on your mind now is, “what is the fastest home remedy for diaper rash?”
Prevention Remedy #1: Creams and Topical Lotions
There are many creams and topical lotions made specifically for diaper rash, which may combine anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients, along with ingredients that sooth the skin. Like we said, some of the creams and lotions on the market are filled with synthetic ingredients that can, in fact, make rash even worse. Similarly, some of the ingredients used in these products have been found to be either toxic, or harmful to the environment.
Because of this, we urge you to really read through the ingredients before purchasing a cream or lotion to apply to your baby’s skin. The more natural the formula, the better.
Prevention Remedy #2: Witch Hazel Wipes
Witch hazel is a remedy that’s been used for ages. In fact, it’s still very commonly used today. Witch hazel has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which means that it could potentially kill any bacteria or fungus that has exacerbated diaper rash, while bringing down the inflammation that causes symptoms like redness, pain, and cracked skin. Witch hazel also has soothing properties that can help with the irritation on the spot. Witch hazel wipes are a great option for diaper rash, as they’re easy to apply, mess-free, and fast-acting.
Prevention Remedy #3: Coconut or Almond Oil
One of the best ways to prevent diaper rash is to create a barrier of moisture between your baby’s skin and their diaper. This limits the friction that occurs, and can, to an extent, limit the contact between the wetness of the diaper and their skin as well. Two of the best natural ingredients for this are coconut oil and almond oil (sometimes called “sweet almond oil”). These two oils are particularly rich, and therefore create a substantial moisture barrier, while also having anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent and reduce the actual rash itself.
Prevention Remedy #4: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural disinfectant, used as a staple of folk medicine for centuries. Now, vinegar sounds like it should hurt, due to the acetic acid – an acidic compound. But, when apple cider vinegar is diluted, it can actually be extremely soothing, while helping balance the pH level of your baby’s skin to act as an effective preventative. We recommend adding a cup of ACV (unfiltered, raw, and undiluted, preferably) to your baby’s bathwater, and allowing your baby to soak in the solution for about 10 minutes. This can kill any pathogens that are responsible for the rash, while soothing away the inflammation that causes discomfort and redness.
Prevention Remedy #5: Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most soothing ingredients that exists on the planet. It’s one of the top go-to remedies for sunburn, as it doesn’t just ease away irritation, but has an instant cooling effect that can quickly counteract the discomfort and burning that comes with rashes of all kinds. It’s also antibacterial, which can be enormously helpful if bacteria has entered diaper rash.
While aloe vera is a fantastic solution and preventative, a lot of commercial aloe vera products contain alcohol, which can actually make irritation worse. One of the best options is to actually buy an aloe vera plant, which actually works great as an indoor houseplant.
Prevention Remedy #6: Colloidal Oatmeal Baths
Colloidal oatmeal is anti-inflammatory and soothes irritation, and an oatmeal bath is a fantastic way to keep your baby’s skin rash-free. Just pour an oatmeal packet into your baby’s bathwater and bathe your baby as you normally would, knowing that the oatmeal is working to ease your baby’s skin, and offer a natural barrier between their skin and their diaper.
Grab Green Home: Natural, Gentle Solutions For Your Baby
If you’ve ever wondered, “How can I treat my baby’s rash at home?”, you now know that there are actually plenty of natural solutions that are highly effective. So, how do you stop diaper rash overnight? Our choice would be Grab Green’s Baby Witch Hazel Wipes. Eco-friendly, biodegradable, natural, and gentle enough for a baby’s sensitive skin, these wipes use witch hazel to kill pathogens and reduce inflammation so that your baby’s skin can feel better as soon as possible. Using these wipes daily can prevent rash so that your baby can avoid that discomfort and maintain clean, healthy skin.
Not to mention, Grab Green Witch Hazel Wipes are free of alcohol, dyes, parabens, and phthalates, all of which are ingredients commonly used in commercial wipes, which can ultimately do more harm than good. We want your baby to find relief fast, and so, are happy to provide nothing but the most soothing option possible.
Explore our baby wipes and our other eco-friendly, nontoxic, and gentle baby products today!
