Natural Diaper Rash Remedies

My son is recovering from a severe diaper rash that hit hard and fast about a month ago. They are still not entirely sure of its origin, although staph is considered a possible culprit.

The doc prescribed a cream to help, but she also suggested that we use cornstarch instead of baby powder to prevent diaper rash from recurring in the future, and to treat the pinpoint rash bumps when they do appear. Which they might, since he seems to have sensitive skin.

Fortunately, I already knew about cornstarch. It was what I used on my daughter, since most baby powder contains talc, which coats the lungs if inhaled.

The aging hippie doc was surprised to hear my S.O. say I already did that. It was a shining mommy moment.

The OTC creams specifically designed for diaper rash never worked for my daughter, although many other people have been incredibly satisfied with their chosen brand of baby bottom cream.

My other favorite bumpy baby bottom preventives and treatments are:

olive oil
petroleum jelly
air
non-alcohol baby wipes (homemade, or if purchased, usually true of “sensitive skin” wipes)

Nothing clears up a diaper rash faster than exposing it to the curing effects of open air. And nothing prevents it better than changing diapers as soon as they are wet or soiled. (Sometimes, as in our son's case, some freak thing occurs and not even frequent changing makes a diff).

Also, an interesting fact: most diaper rash, the regular, pinpoint kind (not the raw, purple, bleeding kind, which requires prompt medical attention), is caused by yeast that has been sitting on the skin in a moist environment. A woman’s yeast infection cream, applied like diaper rash ointment, clears up the problem in 2-3 days, if not a matter of hours.

Untreated, a regular diaper rash (the tiny pink dots) will run its course anywhere from a matter of days to about three weeks.

Are there any diaper rash treatments or tips or ways of preventing it that I have missed? Please share!