Diaper Rash Cream: Safe During Pregnancy?

Diaper rash is a common skin condition that affects babies and can be caused by a variety of factors, including chafing, yeast infections, bacterial infections, and allergic reactions. While it usually appears as a large red patch on the baby's bottom, it can also be characterised by lighter skin in affected areas, itchy skin, sores, and blisters. To treat diaper rash, it is important to keep the baby's bottom clean and dry, using warm water and mild soap, and applying diaper creams or ointments that create a protective barrier on the skin. These creams often contain zinc oxide, which aids in skin healing and forms a waterproof layer. While most diaper creams are safe, it is important to avoid those with harmful ingredients such as fragrance or petroleum. Additionally, cornstarch, talcum powder, and steroid creams should be used with caution as they can irritate the skin or cause respiratory issues if inhaled.

Diaper rash creams with harmful ingredients

While diaper rash creams are formulated to soothe and protect your baby's delicate skin, it's important to be mindful of certain ingredients that may cause more harm than good. Here are some key considerations when choosing a diaper rash cream to ensure your little one stays safe and comfortable:

Fragrances:

Avoid diaper rash creams that contain added fragrances. Fragrances are common allergens and can irritate your baby's sensitive skin. Opt for fragrance-free or unscented options to minimise the risk of allergic reactions.

Talcum Powder:

The NHS advises against using talcum powder on your baby's skin. Talc can contain ingredients that irritate your baby's skin and cause respiratory issues if inhaled. Instead, look for powder alternatives made from natural ingredients like cornstarch or arrowroot powder.

Petroleum and Mineral Oil:

Petroleum-based products, such as mineral oil, can be occlusive, blocking pores and trapping bacteria and moisture, which can further irritate your baby's skin. These ingredients are also not eco-friendly and may ruin cloth diapers by affecting their absorbency.

Zinc Oxide:

Zinc oxide is a common ingredient in diaper rash creams, known for its protective and healing properties. However, it can be problematic for cloth diapers as it may build up and affect their absorbency. If you use cloth diapers, look for zinc-free alternatives or ensure thorough cleaning to prevent buildup.

Lanolin:

Lanolin is a waxy substance derived from sheep's wool and is often used in diaper rash creams for its moisturising and protective properties. However, it can be contaminated with pesticides if the sheep have grazed in pesticide-treated areas. Choose brands that use ultra-purified lanolin to ensure the ingredient is free from contaminants.

Castor Oil:

Castor oil is another ingredient that may be included in diaper rash creams. While it is generally considered safe, it can irritate babies with eczema or contact dermatitis. If your baby has sensitive skin, it's best to opt for a castor oil-free formula.

When choosing a diaper rash cream, always read the ingredient list carefully and opt for products with natural, organic ingredients. Additionally, patch testing new products on a small area of your baby's skin can help identify any potential allergens or irritants before applying them more extensively. Remember, it's essential to consult your paediatrician or healthcare provider for personalised advice and recommendations.

Diaper rash creams safe for cloth diapers

When choosing a diaper rash cream to use with cloth diapers, it's important to consider the ingredients to ensure they won't cause any damage or loss of absorbency to your diapers. Some ingredients, such as petroleum, mineral oil, and zinc oxide, can cause repelling issues, staining, or leave a residue that affects absorbency. However, natural fiber diapers like cotton, hemp, and bamboo velour are generally less sensitive to these issues and can handle most creams with a proper wash routine.

• Aleva Naturals Soothing Diaper Cream: A smooth, non-greasy formulation that includes ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, castor seed oil, and olive fruit oil.
• Angel Baby Bottom Balm: Can be used for diaper rash, thrush, itchy bug bites, scrapes, and minor rashes. It contains organic olive oil, calendula extract, St. John's wort extract, and other natural ingredients.
• Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Zinc Diaper Cream: A natural, organic formula that helps create a protective barrier on the skin to soothe and heal diaper rash.
• Baby Bum Diaper Rash Cream: A natural, organic, and hypoallergenic cream that provides a moisture barrier to protect baby's delicate skin.
• Badger Baby Balm: A natural and organic balm that can be used for diaper rash, dry skin, and other skin irritations. It includes ingredients like sunflower oil, beeswax, and calendula flower extract.
• BALM! Baby Diaper Balm: A diaper balm that also functions as a first aid ointment, indicating its effectiveness in healing diaper rash.
• Boudreaux's Butt Barrier Ointment: A natural diaper rash ointment that forms a protective barrier to promote healing.
• Burt's Bees Baby Diaper Rash Ointment: A natural diaper rash ointment with zinc oxide and other natural ingredients like sweet almond oil, beeswax, and jojoba seed oil.
• CJ's BUTTer Ointment and Stick: Effective for diaper rash, eczema, and dry skin. It contains shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and vitamin E.
• GroVia Magic Stick: A natural and organic diaper rash solution in stick form, making it easy to apply without creating a mess.
• Honest Company Organic Healing Balm: This balm includes beeswax, which has natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and germicidal properties. It also contains other natural ingredients like sunflower seed oil, castor seed oil, and coconut oil.
• Motherlove Diaper Rash and Thrush: Effective for stubborn rashes, especially those caused by yeast. It contains extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, Oregon grape root, and other natural ingredients.
• Weleda Calendula Diaper Care: A natural diaper cream that forms a protective barrier against wetness and includes ingredients like beeswax, sweet almond oil, and zinc oxide.

It's important to note that while these creams are generally considered safe for cloth diapers, it's always a good idea to test a small area first and use a liner if you're concerned about staining or repelling issues. Additionally, make sure to follow a proper wash routine with hot water and a suitable detergent to ensure any cream residue is removed from your diapers.

Diaper rash prevention tips

Diaper rashes are a common skin concern for infants and toddlers. They cause red splotches and scales to appear in the genital area and on the child's bottom. Diaper rashes are caused by moisture and friction that irritate the child's skin. Here are some tips to prevent diaper rashes:

Keep it Clean and Dry

The most important step to prevent and treat a rash is to keep your baby's diaper area clean and dry. Change wet or soiled diapers as soon as possible. Use disposable diapers that contain an absorbent gel to draw wetness away from the skin. Rinse your baby's bottom with warm water during each diaper change and gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel or let it air dry. Avoid scrubbing your baby's bottom as it can irritate the skin.

Change Diapers Frequently

Change your baby's diaper as soon as possible, especially if it is slightly wet. It only takes a little trapped moisture to irritate the skin and cause a rash.

Air Dry

Let your baby's bottom air dry by letting them go diaper-free for short periods, such as during naps. This helps to expose the area to air and heal the skin.

Don't Fasten the Diaper Too Tightly

Diapers that are too tight can cause extra moisture and faster rash growth. Fastening the diaper loosely allows for better airflow and reduces the risk of a rash.

Use the Correct Diaper Size

Check your child's diaper size regularly. A diaper that is too large can rub and cause friction, making rashes worse.

Apply Soothing Creams

Use barrier creams that contain zinc to soothe the skin and prevent contact with faeces and other irritants. Apply a thin layer of cream to prevent stool or urine from touching your baby's skin.

Avoid Fragranced Products

When it comes to preventing and treating diaper rash, less is more. Avoid using highly fragranced products, including fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products are much less irritating for babies.

Avoid Baby Powder and Cornstarch

Refrain from using baby powder and cornstarch as they can be inhaled by babies, irritating their lungs. Cornstarch can also worsen diaper rashes caused by the fungus Candida.

Diaper rash home remedies

Diaper rash is a common skin concern for infants and toddlers. It causes red splotches and scales to appear in the genital area and on the child’s bottom. Diaper rashes thrive in warm, moist places, making diapers an ideal place for the rash to develop.

Keep the diaper area clean and dry

The best way to keep your baby's diaper area clean and dry is by changing wet or soiled diapers as soon as possible. This may mean getting up during the night to change the diaper. Try using disposable diapers that contain an absorbent gel to draw wetness away from the skin. Rinse your baby's bottom with warm water as part of each diaper change and gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel or let it air dry. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the skin too hard.

Change diapers frequently

It is important to change diapers often, especially when your infant has a diaper rash. Allowing an infant to remain in a wet or soiled diaper can make the rash worse. Check the size of your child's diaper and ensure it is not too tight, as this can increase the chances of diaper rash and make it harder to heal.

Apply soothing creams

Apply a thin layer of barrier creams that contain zinc oxide to soothe the skin and prevent contact with faeces and other irritants. Petroleum jelly may also be ideal as it is inexpensive and usually contains fewer dyes or perfumes. After applying the diaper rash product, you could also apply petroleum jelly on top to keep the diaper from sticking to the cream.

Let the area breathe

Ensure that your baby spends some time during the day without a diaper to allow the rash to dry out and heal. Dress them in loose-fitting bottoms made of 100% cotton to keep the rash dry and allow the skin to breathe.

Avoid using baby wipes

Baby wipes can irritate an existing diaper rash. Instead, clean the diaper area gently using scent-free soap and water before patting it dry. If using wipes, choose mild, scent-free, and natural wipes that are alcohol and fragrance-free.

Try natural remedies

Some natural remedies that have been used to treat diaper rash include:

• Human breast milk: Applying breast milk to diaper rash is safe and may be effective in treating the rash.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a gentle, natural moisturiser with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is also a powerful antifungal, making it helpful for yeast-related diaper rash.
• Witch hazel: An ointment made with the herb witch hazel may help clear diaper rash, but do not apply distilled witch hazel directly to the rash as it can irritate the skin.
• Baking soda bath: Soak your baby's bottom in a mixture of warm water and baking soda for 10 minutes, three times a day, and apply an anti-yeast ointment. Do not put baking soda directly on the rash.
• Oatmeal bath: Colloidal oatmeal may reduce the inflammation and irritation caused by diaper rash.

Diaper rash symptoms

Diaper rash is a common skin condition that affects babies and infants. It is characterised by inflamed, red, tender, and flaky skin in the diaper area, including the buttocks, thighs, and genitals. Here are some detailed symptoms of diaper rash:

• Reddened Areas: Diaper rash often presents as red patches or larger reddened areas of skin around the diaper region or in the folds of the upper thighs. These areas may appear puffy, warm to the touch, and tender.
• Skin Texture Changes: The skin in the affected area may exhibit texture changes, such as peeling, flaking, or scaliness.
• Irritability: Diaper rash can cause discomfort, making babies irritable, fussy, or prone to crying, especially during diaper changes.
• Intense Rash Symptoms: In some cases, diaper rash may be accompanied by blisters, open sores, or a watery fluid or pus seeping from reddened patches.
• Secondary Infections: If left untreated, diaper rash can lead to secondary bacterial or yeast infections. Bacterial infections may present with sores, yellow scabs, pimples, or pus. Yeast infections, on the other hand, typically appear as bright red patches with sharp borders and may include small red bumps or pimples.
• Skin Discolouration: In babies with brown or Black skin, diaper rash may cause post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, leading to skin lightening in the affected areas.

It is important to note that diaper rash usually clears up within a few days with proper care, such as frequent diaper changes, air drying, and the use of barrier creams or ointments. However, if the rash persists or worsens, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional.

Frequently asked questions