Jan 06 2009
Organic Remedies for Diaper Rash
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Diaper rash is one of the most common conditions affecting babies at some point in their new lives.
It may appear on a baby’s tender buttocks, inside of the thighs, or any other area generally covered by diapers. Diaper rash can affect not only the baby but the whole family with excessive crying, sleep disturbances, skin cracking and possible infection.
The last thing a new mother and father needs is excessive stress from seeing their newborn suffer. This red rash can be caused by a number of things, and can be classified under a variety of names.
Common Causes & Remedies for Diaper Rash
Chafing & Friction on Skin:
Friction of the diaper rubbing on the baby’s skin. Ever had a tag on the inside of your shirt rub you until your skin was raw? This type of diaper rash isn’t much different than that. The areas around the waist and thighs are red and tender because the first few protective layers of the baby’s skin have been rubbed off due to the material used in the diaper or the diaper being too tight.
Remedy: Frequent diaper changes, loosening the diaper and airing out your baby’s skin help this type of rash go away. Also make sure you apply an organic protective solution or my remedy listed below as necessary.
Allergic Reactions:
Allergic reactions may include detergents, wipes, diapers or clothes. Babies can have allergies just like anyone else. Most laundry detergents, baby wipes, diapers and synthetic fiber clothing can actually cause an allergic reaction or diaper rash in children.
Remedy: Try switching to an all natural laundry detergent (I prefer to use soap nuts). Use natural diapers and baby wipes such as Seventh Generation® or Tushies™. It is also very important to use only organic clothing with newborns to prevent skin irritation. Hanna Anderson or UnderTheNile.com has a good selection, or you can search online.
Skin Reactions to Stool or Urine:
Reactions to stool or urine on the skin. Bodily excretions can contain substances that can irritate your baby’s skin and create prime conditions for the development of diaper rash. Stool or urine may contain bacteria, yeast, parasites or toxins which could cause diaper rash.
Remedy: Change the diaper regularly and wipe skin clean – especially in the folds of the skin. Apply an organic solution to provide a barrier against harmful toxins aggravating the delicate skin.
Heat Rash:
Heat rash, sometimes called prickly heat rash, is caused by the baby’s skin getting too hot under the diaper.
Remedy: It can be relieved by frequent airing and cooling of your baby’s skin.
Excessive Moisture on the Skin:
Moisture left on the skin for a long period of time causes the skin to become more permeable and susceptible to bacterial/yeast infection and damage.
Remedy: Frequent diaper changes can help ease the discomfort and minimize the symptoms of this type of diaper rash. You may also want to change to a more absorbent, all natural diaper.
Are Diaper Rash Creams Safe?
When treating a baby’s irritated skin with a commercial diaper rash cream, you may actually be slathering your child’s sensitive skin with toxic chemicals. Talc, a common ingredient in many children’s products, and is also a common carcinogen.[1] [2] [3]
I found this page on GoodGuide.com that points to these ingredients to look out for in diaper rash creams or powders:
- DMDM Hydantoin – Type of Formaldehyde [4]
- Parabens – May cause Skin Irritation & Immune System Issues[5]
- Triclosan – Has been linked to Hormone Disruption[6]
You wouldn’t willingly put these things on your own skin, so please don’t put them on your baby’s skin.
How to Make My “Organic Diaper Rash Remedy”
I developed the formula below about 3 years ago at the request of many mothers and my wife. I have personally used this formula with my 2 children who never had diaper rash and have recommended this formula to many new mothers.
So far I have not heard anyone complain that it did not work. Making an organic, toxin free diaper rash remedy at home is economical, fun, environmentally friendly and, even more important, friendly to your baby’s skin.
Ingredients Needed:
- 3 ounces organic extra virgin cold pressed olive oil
- 3 ounces organic hempseed oil. I use the Living Harvest Brand.
- 1 ounce organic raw unprocessed extra virgin coconut oil (solid at room temperature)
- 9 drops organic lemongrass essential oil
- 9 drops organic tea tree essential oil
Directions: Add the olive, coconut and hemp oils together in a glass bowl (pyrex bowels work great) and place over the lowest heat on your stove until the coconut oil has melted and blended with the olive and hemp oils – you can also hold the glass bowl slightly above the burner. As soon as the oil is melted, remove from heat, stir and let cool for 5 minutes.
Then add the 9 drops of lemongrass and tea tree and stir to mix well. Store the solution at room temperature with a lid at your changing area. Apply to diaper area with an organic cotton ball after cleaning your baby’s skin and just before applying a new diaper 2-3x daily or every third diaper change. Do not apply after every diaper change as the skin of a baby does need some time to air out. If your baby experiences a reaction, discontinue use immediately and please let me know.
NOTE: It is best to make small batches at a time to keep the oils fresh and active so I do not recommend doubling or tripling the recipe to make larger batches. Also, do not refrigerate as this will solidify the oils.
About the Ingredients
Organic Cold pressed olive oil is used to moisturize the skin, coconut oil protects the skin from yeast, free-radicals and exfoliates dead skin cells, and hempseed oil closely resembles the skin’s natural lipids and works as a protective antioxidant and barrier. Lemongrass and tea tree oil have anti-fungal and antiseptic properties.
This combination of oils will not only moisturize your baby’s backside, it will also protect and disinfect it without disrupting the skin’s natural protective properties.
Let me know how this works for you!!
August 31st, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Hi, I made the organic diaper rash remedy for my grandsons. I need to know how to store the solution and does it get moldy. I guess I’m asking how long does it last until it gets rancid or goes bad, that I have to make a new batch.
The parents are hopefully using it every third diaper change. There rash is right at the anal area, and my 15 month old grandson screams when he has a bowel movements. Got any suggestions about that. I think the parents are at their wits end. Their doctor keeps telling them to use Myrlax. I think he is not listening to them. Please let me know do they need to do something else, or do you think this is more than a diaper rash. Thank you
Kathy Pascazio
[Reply to this comment]
Dr. Edward Group replied on September 2nd, 2009:
The solution should be stored in glass pyrex containers and should be kept for about 7 days before making another batch, so it is best to make small batches. The child most likely has an allergy or sensitivity to a specific food so I would look at this first. I gave my child the probiotic Latero-Flora – about 1/4 capsule smashed in a small piece of banana this helps with food allergies. But the rash is most likely diet related.
–Dr. G
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May 8th, 2009 at 9:43 am
hey, this is my first daughter and i am excited about ererything about her! She is 15 days old and I can tell she is irritated when I touch her booty, and I just dont like the look of diaper rash. So I’m searching for the best remedies to alleviate my baby. Thank you for this.
[Reply to this comment]
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:26 am
Does anyone have any experience with Aveeno Diaper Rash Cream?
I’ve used other Aveeno product but never had the need to try the diaper rash cream and I am curious if anyone has any input?
[Reply to this comment]
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:12 am
My daughter is 7 moths old and I use Butt Paste. I apply it every time she takes a bath and it took care of it. Once I kind of didn’t put it on for a while and she got a diaper rash but Butt Paste took care of it right away. Needless to say, she was feeling much better and laughing immediately after I applied it on.
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February 17th, 2009 at 2:44 am
I have 4 children and I have to thank you about this sharing about organic diapers. I agree with you.
Again, thank you.
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February 4th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I do have a child and have found the best way to keep diaper rash at bay is to change them often and allow the baby to air out daily (run around without a diaper). I don’t usually use anything but i think I’ll give this recipe a try!
[Reply to this comment]
February 4th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I dont’ have any children, but I am currently expecting. I will certainly give this a try if my newborn experiences diaper rash. I can’t imagine that diaper rash in babies is a pleasant experience.
Cute pictures too….
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January 28th, 2009 at 3:06 am
I think a petroleum jelly will be a good one for it!
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January 20th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I’ve always heard that olive oil works well for moisturizing the skin, but does it make your skin smell?
[Reply to this comment]
January 20th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I don’t have any children myself but your “organic diaper raw remedy” I’ll have to pass on to my friends.
Thank you for the article! Brilliant.
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