Gentle Solutions for Diaper Rash

Experts agree that the best protection against diaper rash is prevention- keeping your baby’s bottom clean and dry with frequent diaper changes. But occasionally even the most fastidious parents will remove their baby’s diaper to find an angry red rash. Then what? 

Melody Wong, ND, a naturopath at Natural Health California in Palo Alto, recommends that her clients first try switching diapers. “Plastic diapers trap heat and moisture and become a comfortable environment for bacteria and yeast to grow and irritate the skin,” she says. “Instead, use eco-friendly or biodegradable diapers. They are made of cornstarch, not plastic, and they are not bleached with chlorine, which also can irritate the skin. Using cloth diapers is another option because they are more breathable than plastic ones.“ 

 Wong also recommends using slightly larger size diaper for your baby. The extra space will allow the baby’s skin to breathe. And whenever possible, let your baby play au naturel, allowing more airflow to the area.   If simply changing your brand of diapers isn’t enough, Wong suggest nursing mothers look at their sugar consumption. “If mom has a sweet-tooth and nurses, she should decrease her sugar intake,” Wong says. Kids past nursing should avoid sugar as well. “Babies should eat food with less sugar content, like veggies instead of fruits,” Wong says. “Diaper rash can be caused by bacteria or Candida yeast and these organisms feed on sugar.” 

 Eric Kimbles, a naturopathic doctor in Sonoma, California, believes that the herb calendula offers an effective natural treatment for the rash. “Any cream or ointment that is created homeopathically from calendula is wonderful for diaper rash,:” he says. As the rash heals, an aloe vera lotion can also help soothe the discomfort, Wong says.  Gregory Manteuffel, MD, who runs a homeopathic family practice in San Francisco, uses homeopathic medicines internally as well as externally to treat diaper rash. Homeopathic treatment stimulates the body’s innate capacity to healing and can strengthen your child’s ability to ward off rashes and infections. He gives his (infant/toddler) clients minerals like sulfur and calcium carbonate to treat chronic recurring diaper rash. But even when using homeopathy, “treatment really begins with keeping the area clean and dry,” Mantueffel stresses. 

  DO IT YOURSELF diaper rash cream: Mix a few ounces of natural, unscented, water-based lotion with the following: 1-2 tbsp olive oil, 2-3 drops lavender oil, 2-3 drops calendula oil, 2-3 drops comfrey oil, 2-3 drops chickweed oil, 1-2 drops oregano oil or tea tree oil.  

April 2007, Alternative Medicine magazine.