Diaper rashes are quite common and irritate your baby immensely. But hey, they are natural and can be treated with simple home remedies that are completely safe and effective. They don’t have any kind of side effects and ensure that your baby’s skin remains soft and smooth.So here are facts about how to treat diaper rashes. So What Are Diaper Rashes? Diaper rashes are red patches that appear on your child’s buttock, genital area and other places that are covered by the diaper such as the back or legs. Generally, it is caused by sensitive skin, ill-fitting diaper, new products used or even dietary changes. Rashes also occur during illness and if the diapers are changed at delayed frequencies. What Can You Do About It? You can treat diaper rashes at home by using any of the following products. Most of them are readily available and you may have some of them in the kitchen right now. Coconut Oil Known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, coconut oil is an effective way to treat diaper rashes. Wash the affected area with lukewarm water and pat dry. Now apply coconut oil and gently rub onto the skin until it is absorbed. Usually, half a tablespoon is enough for one time, but apply the oil at least three to four times a day, preferably when changing the baby’s diapers. Vinegar Do you use reusable diapers for your baby? Fill half a bucket with water and add around a cup of vinegar. Now soak the diaper in this mixture for a couple of minutes. This will balance the pH levels ensuring that the diaper material doesn’t affect your baby’s skin. Also, add around a teaspoon of vinegar to a cup of water. Store this solution, and apply on your baby’s skin when you change the diapers. Breast Milk Breast milk is a simple yet effective remedy to treat diaper rash at home. It soothes and heals your baby’s skin in a short time. Just apply a few drops on the rashes, and leave the milk to dry. When done, pack your baby up again in a pair of new diapers. Clean Diapers One of the most common reasons for a rash is damp diapers. So change them regularly and avoid using alcoholic wipes. Also, ensure that the baby’s skin is dry before you make them wear diapers. Cornstarch Cornstarch absorbs moisture, so it is an effective remedy for diaper rashes. Wash your baby’s buttock with lukewarm water. Let the skin dry and then clean it up using a fresh cloth. Apply a layer of cornstarch on the rashes and then put on the new diaper. Do this once a day. Petroleum Jelly Petroleum jelly is another effective remedy for diaper rashes. Wash your baby’s bottom, pat dry with a soft towel and then cover the affected area with petroleum jelly. Now the skin will be protected from urine and feces, preventing the rash from worsening. Doing this regularly will treat diaper rashes and eventually, they will go away. Olive Oil Olive oil soothes and moisturizes the skin. This treatment is the most effective if you use a disposable or liner diaper when applying olive oil. This prevents the product from being absorbed into the skin. Baking Soda Diaper rash is often caused if the urine is too alkaline or acidic in nature. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda into a bucket full of water and rinse your baby thoroughly with this solution. This will help in neutralizing the rash acidity. Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar also balances pH levels. Mix around 2 to 3 tablespoons in your baby’s tub, and soak their buttock in the mixture for at least 15 minutes. You can also store a mixture of 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Apply on your baby’s skin every time you change the diaper. Dietary Changes If your baby has grown and takes in solid food, there could be a problem with their diet, which might have caused a diaper rash. Either start giving a liquid-only diet to your baby or move onto semi-solids. But before making any of these changes, it would be good to take advice from a doctor. What about Yeast Diaper Rashes? Stubborn diaper rashes are usually due to a yeast infection and might not go away with the above products. Observe the irritated skin; if you notice any of the following signs, then your baby may be suffering from a yeast rash. The red patches are raised and have a distinct border. Just outside the rashes, tiny pimples or bumps have appeared. The skin is weepy or flaky in the presence of pimples. Yeast diaper rash can also be treated through simple home remedies as suggested below. Give your baby some diaper-free time and let them have a break. When putting on the diaper, clean the skin and pat dry completely. Apply petroleum jelly or any other ointment containing zinc oxide to protect your baby’s skin. Change the diaper after a maximum of three hours or whenever it is spoiled. Add garlic to your child’s food or rub over the affected area. Using oatmeal is also effective. Give your baby a bath every single day until the rash has been treated. This will keep their skin clean. Sometimes yeast rash can get worse. Seek advice from a doctor if: Your baby is only a couple of weeks old. The rash doesn’t improve, worsens or spreads to the abdomen, arms and other areas. Your baby suffers from fever. The pimples or blisters on your baby’s skin are filled with pus. Parenting can be hard and stressful. However, it is not impossible. You will be able to do it as long as you arm yourself with information, use quality products for your baby and place your trust in Kim-Fay!