4 Most Common Causes Of Diaper Rash And How To Treat Them Naturally

You're changing your baby's diaper and you notice that their normally smooth, cute little tush is now covered in a red, irritated rash. As a new parent going through a very life changing experience, the last thing on your mind at this time is what kind of toxins are lurking in the tube of Desitin you're about so smear on your baby's booty. All you are thinking about is getting rid of that rash fast. However, unfortunately most commercial diaper rash creams contain toxic ingredients. Luckily, there are some great organic alternatives that work wonders on diaper rash, and you can even make your own at home. First lets discuss some of the most common causes of diaper rash and how you can prevent and treat them at home.

Common Causes Of Diaper Rash And How To Avoid Them:

Infrequent diaper changes - urine is highly alkaline and can burn a baby's sensitive skin if it is left to sit on there for too long. Changing your child's diaper frequently will help. Letting your child go sans diaper for 20-30 minutes at home each day, and making sure to use gentle, alcohol free and fragrance free wipes is also effective in both preventing and treating this type of diaper rash.
Yeast - if you had antibiotics during pregnancy, labor, or while breastfeeding, or if your child has been given antibiotics, then yeast overgrowth can occur and is actually quite common. Giving your baby probiotics can help prevent and treat yeast infections. Raw apple cider vinegar diluted with water (50/50) and applied to the affected area with a cotton ball helps kill the yeast as well. Applying coconut oil directly to the rash also helps since coconut oil is a natural anti-fungal. You can also add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to the coconut oil since tea tree is also a natural anti fungal, or make a spray with fractionated coconut oil and tea tree oil and mist baby's booty. 1 drop tea tree oil per 2 tbsp fractionated (liquid) coconut oil. (I have been using this spray before and after yoga class to avoid athlete's foot for years.)
Food allergies and/or sensitivities - this includes foods that mom may have eaten that baby is sensitive to if breastfeeding. Usually this will appear as a red ring around the baby's anus. If you are breastfeeding, try cutting out dairy and soy (the most common allergens) from your diet. Remove acidic foods from your child's diet and talk to your pediatrician about potential food allergies.
Teething or a cold/virus - excessive drooling and runny nose can cause diarrhea due to all of the drool etc, being swallowed by your child which is not easily digested and can irritate the intestinal tract. Diarrhea then can cause diaper rash and irritation. For teething you can give your child a Baltic amber teething necklace to wear which helps to reduce drool (see my post on that here), and be sure to change your baby's diaper frequently if they do have diarrhea.

Common Toxic Ingredients To Avoid In Diaper Rash Creams:

Parabens (anything with propyl, methyl, ethyl...) - parabens are hormone disruptors. They are easily absorbed by the skin (our body's largest organ) and can mimic estrogen.
Sodium borate and/or boric acid - used for its antimicrobial properties, these ingredients have been linked to reproductive toxicity and are endocrine disruptors
Fragrance - synthetic fragrance can cause allergic reactions and has also been linked to organ toxicity, among other things
Petrolatum (aka: petroleum jelly) - widely used in ointments and creams as a skin barrier, petrolatum is a carcinogen and has been linked to organ toxicity
Sodium stearoyl lactylate - an emulsifier made from GMO vegetable oils such as palm oil and soybean oil. It is a known skin irritant and eco-toxin

Best Organic Diaper Rash Creams:

Babo Botanicals Oatmilk Calendula Soothing Diaper Cream ~ this diaper rash cream is certified organic and made with shea butter, vitamin E, calendula, oat kernel oil, and zinc oxide making it safe, non toxic, and good for sensitive skin. It washes out of cloth diapers without staining too. You can purchase it on Amazon
Sierra Sage Baby Balm ~ this salve is made with all organic oils, chamomile, and calendula. It contains natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and is soothing to baby's little booty. You can purchase it on Amazon
Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm ~ this stuff is great. It is all organic and completely non toxic, and can be used for diaper rash, minor cuts and scrapes, bug bites, cradle cap, and even chicken pox. It is made with organic olive oil infused with a blend of organic herbs, shea butter, and pure essential oils and is naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. You can purchase it on Amazon
BabyBearShop Cheeky Baby Butter ~ this certified organic, vegan balm is made with shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, coconut oil, lavender, sage, and mandarin. It can be used for diaper rash, to prevent stretch marks on mama's belly, and for dry skin. It can be purchased here

Homemade Organic Diaper Rash Recipe:
If you're like me and you prefer to make you own products, here is my recipe for homemade diaper rash cream. I get most of my ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs.
*I am an affiliate of Mountain Rose Herbs because I love their products and use them myself. If you choose to purchase products from Mountain Rose Herbs by following the links on my page I do receive a small commission.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shea butter (base of the cream, contains vitamins A and E and is soothing and moisturizing)
1/4 cup coconut oil (naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial)
1 tbsp beeswax pastilles (acts as a barrier on the skin, and a binder for the ingredients)
2 tbsp zinc oxide (main ingredient in most diaper creams, it essentially makes the skin water resistant)
1 tbsp bentonite clay (helps fight bacteria)
2 tbsp vegetable glycerin (non toxic, moisturizing, and helps the cream glide on smoothly)

Directions:
In a double boiler (or you can use a saucepan) fill the bottom of the boiler with about an inch of water and bring to a boil. Place the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in the top boiler (or saucepan) and let it melt. Remove mixture from heat and mix in the zinc oxide and bentonite clay. You can also pour the ingredients into a blender to mix them. (I have a blender I use specifically for making products since some ingredients can be harder to clean off.) Pour mix into a glass jar with a lid, and let it cool. Store it in a cool, dry place (not in your fridge, it will become solid) and use as needed for diaper rash as you would any other diaper rash cream.

Do you have a natural or organic diaper rash cream you love? Let me know in the comment below!