Readers Share Their Tips for Treating and Preventing Diaper Rash
Saturday August 16, 2008
Here are some other suggestions for treating diaper rash that have come from readers.
Steve wrote:
"The best remedy I've found is Desitin and cornstarch. When you clean the baby's bottom, pat dry, apply the desitin ointment and sprinkle cornstarch over it. It keeps the baby dry and it works for any rash for that matter. I know it doesn't sound pretty, but it does work. Our son had a severe rash that wouldn't clear up when he was a baby. We tried lots of prescription and over-the-counter remedies and even used "browned flour" that my grandmothers used. I even used the browned flour on top of the Desitin, but adding the cornstarch was the trick. I promise the rash will begin to clear immediately and usually is almost gone within a day or so."
Diane wrote:
"The best cure is no cure. Rather -- prevention. I never, never wrapped up a wet bottom. Upon my General Practitioner's advice, I kept a small hair dryer on my son's change table and on the lowest setting and at a distance of 12" I blew dry his little bum then applied a thin coat of petroleum jelly.Bacteria love to grow in a dark, warm, moist environment. Can you think of a darker, warmer, moister place than inside a diaper? And I agree with letting them go diaper-free as often as possible. (Besides, who can resist enjoying the glee of watching your kiddies run around in the buff?)
And always change a pooper quickly. The digestive enzymes in stool will irritate that delicate skin quicker than you can say diarrhea."
Kimberly wrote:
"I was told about using Maalox and A&D Ointment from a dad at my son's daycare. It has been the only remedy that ever worked for my son's diaper rash. His rash was gone in 36 hours or less sometimes. Honest! I now give this remedy to all the new moms going through the awful diaper rash stage and will continue to use it when our little girl is born next year."
Andy also liked the A&D + Maalox paste:
"I was just reading your article about different diaper rash creams/pastes/ointments, and wanted to share with you what our pediatrician told us when our daughter had her first diaper rash. He suggested that we make our own paste using A&D Ointment and Maalox. That sounded really strange to me, but we tried it and it worked wonderfully! The Maalox (we used the minty one) not only helped with the odor of the A&D, but it also helped cut down on the greasiness. We’ve had to use this only a few times in the last 18 months, and each time it’s done the trick in no more than a day."
Arizona mentioned that Burt's Bees were too harsh for her baby who had eczema and sensitive skin and said she prefers using Aveeno, Balmex or petroleum jelly. She adds:
"Diaper rash is easily confused with eczema. And the treatments are completely opposite one another! I kept drying and drying my son's red bottom, only to learn that it was rashy from being too dry!"Sherry wrote:
"My pediatrician's office recommended a combination of Aquaphor and Maalox mixed into a paste. They said that it keeps the pH balanced. Works great!"
Meredith wrote:
"A friend of mine gave me Arbonne Herbal Diaper Rash Cream for as a shower gift. One week after my daughter was born an ugly rash developed and I used several of the ointments on your list, but none were doing the trick on her. I pulled out the Arbonne Cream as a last resort and was absolutely amazed. After two treatments (one before bedtime and one during the middle of the night) it was gone by morning. Since then I have never used anything but Arbonne on my daughter. If I see any redness, I jump right on it and it never has a chance to develop. I use it on scrapes, bug bites, pretty much any red rash or spot I see on the whole family -- it is truly amazing!"
LA wrote:
"The best diaper rash cure I used was menthol shaving cream! Any brand is fine. I used this on my son and daughter when their bottoms were so sore and nothing else worked. A friend told me about this, and I tried it. What a difference by the next diaper change. I have worked in day care for over 30 years, and always suggest this when parents ask me what I used to use. My kids are nearing 30 now!"
Gail wrote:
"I received Bag Balm as a baby shower gift. You know the stuff that comes in a green tin. Well, that stuff is wonderful and not just helpful for diaper rash. My mother has used it for years on dry, cracked feet or hands. The other one I like equally well (actually like it a bit better) though more expensive is Neutrogena's Aquaphor. This one also can be used other places besides the bum. For both of these a little bit goes a long way."
Do you have a diaper rash remedy that works? Please share with other parents and caregivers in the comments below.
Comments
Lotrimin. It’s not just for Athlete’s Foot. Dr told me about it and it WORKS! As a single dad, I needed all the help I could get.
I have tried all of the above (except the Maalox concoction – that seems interesting) and they all work.
The other thing that I have found helps is having my son eat yogurt or drink a yogurt smootie. The pro-biotics help heal up the diaper rash quickly and help to prevent it
I have used A&D cream mixed with the A&D gel and it works good. So does cornstarch. But for prescription remedies… Vusion is gold! My daughter had a horrible rash and within two days of using this, it was almost healed. Now, we keep some on hand, just in case. It can be expensive, but the website has some coupons and savings. Well worth the money!
I worked in day care for over 20 years! I found Dr. Flanders Buttocks Cream to work on most all diaper rashes and always highly recommended it!!
Vusion is Amazing! My son had gotten a virus that lasted 3 weeks (so did the watery poop) nothing helped his sore red tush- then the Doctor gave us Vusion like Magic it the rash was gone asap. Prevention is key- in 18 months that was the only rash my son ever had -He was a preemie ands a nurse at the hospital tod me =1.clean dirty area-2.pat dry- 3. Cornstarch-4. Desitin (original NOT creamy) 5. new diaper. It may be hard to clean off (the Desitin) but I swear it is the best. the creamy kind just doesn’t stay on skin- the diaper absorbs it and leaves your little ones bum bum bare and ready for rashes- Trust me- Also if your little one has a rash- put down some old sheets and let them play butt bare as long as you can everyday and go up 1 size in diaper (for better air cirrculation) an very wise and elderly pediatrician told me that and it is common sense if you think about it. I went crazy with my sons rash he cried so hard -if he even saw the changing table- he hurt so bad-it broke my heart. But now at the first sign of redness I do everything I said above and have never developed another rash. ORIGINAL DESITIN at EVERY DIAPER CHANGE – Prevention is key
The best way to treat diaper rash is to prevent it. Burt’s Bees Apricot Baby Oil is a great way to keep baby’s skin hydrated and completely cleared up diaper rash on my son that responded to nothing else, even prescriptions. My son’s diaper rash was so blad that his skin would split and bleed. The little massages after bathtime (the most important time to rehydrate the skin) were also very soothing before his bedtime and a bonding experience for us.
I’ve always used A&D, but during a particularly bad bout I realized that her tushy must be hurting, so I used Tucks pads after cleaning her with the sensitive wipes. Tucks are only witch hazel, which is very soothing (usually for hemorrhoids-sp?). She was a very happy baby. I also always make sure her tushy is completely dry before putting the diaper on.
My son is none months old and hasn’t had diaper rash yet. I use cloth diapers 50% of the time (I’m not perfect, and I can’t ask other caregivers to use cloth diapers if they don’t want to). But it is so easy! I have a service from Tidy Diapers (I live in Fairfield County, CT) and at night or when we are going out I use FuzziBunz diapers which are so cute and easy as they are an all in one diaper!
The only thing that is somewhat troublesome is making sure to dispose of them properly. I reuse plastic bread bags to carry the soiled cloth diapers and diaper cover if necesary. I launder FuzziBunz myself and add some baking soda to the wash. And, of course, you have to flush the poop, but it’s a small price to pay for being extra kind to your baby’s butt, and to Mother Earth.
My two boys, now 3 and 1 1/2, both had horrible diaper rash when they were newborns due to what my pediatrician called “lactose overload” from my breastmilk. They both had constant (every 10-15 min.) liquid yellow poo & a raw, bleeding rash & no cream or treatment in the world worked, I tried them all. Finally my dr. and I realized what the problem was & I ended up, at her suggestion, pumping off the first oz. of my breastmilk (on each breast) and it worked like a dream. The rash was gone within 24 hours and their poops were firming up and down to 2-3 a day. It sounds like a pain but if this is your problem, and you really want to breast feed, just do it. I used a little Avent hand pump & really it just became a part of my routine.
P.S. I just posted the comment about lactose overload, and if any new moms are going through this, rest assured my boys both outgrew the problem by 3 mos. or so, and now have no problems with milk or dairy at all.
Whenever I notice diaper rash we take a warm bath and then put on an organic diaper rash treatment. Terressentials, Miessence and Nature’s Paradise all have certified organic lines that work for us. Chemical-free soothing is the best.
Epsom salt baths, triple paste and Cornstarch. Works like a charm. The triple paste is expensive but I only use it when the rash gets out of hand (generic desitin the rest of the time).
My son had a rash so bad and I had used A&D and all the over the counter baby stuff. It was bleeding from the poo burning it. He was only 2 months old. The A&D ointment would stick to his skin and hurt more when I tried to wash him. So the Doctor ordered a perscrition for him and it turned out to be plain old HYDROCORTISON! Over the counter hydrocortison healed it within a day.
I swear by a product called Triple Paste. The painful diaper rash is gone overnight!! It is a bit pricey, but worth its weight in GOLD!!
I found no better solution than applying petroleum jelly. Its work well on babies diaper rash.
There is a product called Resinol. It’s usually found in the old, independent pharmacies in the first aid section. My baby girl had awful diaper rash, blisters, when we came home from the hospital, and I used it once and when I changed the next diaper, you couldn’t even tell there’d ever been blisters. Use it every night for prevention as well, and have no problems.
RESINOL RESINOL my son had a rash not a bad one and all we ues is resinol you put it on and by the next diaper change there is a visible improvement resinol is the best thing i have ever seen for any rash burn or even bug bites
Only corn Starch is the best, pat try the bottoms proserly and sprinkle a little corn starch on every diaper change before putting on the diaper / pamper. I have used it for three of my kids. Simply fill up an empty powder tin / bottom and use
I used Dr. Smith, which can be found a Walgreens. Works well and quickly to treat diaper rashes.