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Treating baby rash
A baby may get rashes due to numerous causes.
A baby may get rashes due to numerous causes. Try to pin down the cause of rashes in the case of your baby. Is it a diaper rash? Is it a reaction to the baby oil? Is it eczema due to dry skin? Is it a viral infection?
If the rash is oozing that is accompanied by fever or making the baby uncomfortable, you must take the baby to a doctor.
It is important to monitor the rash to ensure that it is not worsening. Always clean genitals and pat them dry before applying a good rash cream. A parent may be able to help reduce the severity of a child’s rash through some of the following methods.
Simple methods:
- A cold compress is a simple but great rash treatment. This relieves the pesky symptoms of a rash and helps to reduce its severity. Cold compresses work best with rashes caused by heat because they help to reduce swelling and inflammation. For a cold compress, use a clean, soft cloth soaked in cold water, or use a purchased compress. It is important to never place ice directly on your child’s skin, especially a baby’s skin. This can cause frostbite and harm to their delicate skin.
- Breast milk can make wonders internally and externally. Just applying a few drops to the affected area could heal rashes completely without any reactions. This is because breast milk is loaded with immunoglobulins that help combat infections.
Using oils:
- Olive oil is a great choice for both healing a rash and renewing the skin afterward. Olive oil’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are great for irritant dermatitis, diaper rashes, and allergic rashes.
- Coconut oil may hydrate and soothe a rash. Coconut oil also helps to protect the skin. Coconut oil has a thick consistency like most diaper rash products. This protects the rash from irritation and outside variables. Virgin coconut oil is recommended because it still has the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of unprocessed coconut oil.
- Petrolatum may also work well to relieve rashes.
- Using avocado oil on your baby’s skin can be equally beneficial. It’s an excellent emollient and skin softener. Moreover, it has antioxidant properties, is a good source of skin-repairing fatty acids, and is especially soothing to sensitive skin. It is non-greasy and fast absorbing. A natural daily lotion containing avocado oil will do wonders for your baby’s skin, helping protect the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture.
Bathing:
- Give your baby a lukewarm bath. It should be cooling but still be comfortable for your child. You can skip the soap or body wash and just use water to avoid blocking pores any further. Let your baby air-dry instead of rubbing the skin with a towel.
- The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved the oatmeal bath to protect the skin. Oatmeal has skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. To give an oatmeal bath, dissolve a cup of finely blended oatmeal into warm bathwater. Let your child soak for about a half-hour and then rinse them off with tepid water. You can also mix yogurt and honey with oatmeal to treat facial rashes (Note: Never use honey in a child less than 1-year-old for oral or skin use. It may invite botulism.)
Additional remedies:
- The acetic acid properties of apple cider vinegar can reduce the growth of microbes, especially fungi. Pour a spoonful of apple cider vinegar into your child's bath, which is especially a great help for babies with diaper rash. You can also mix apple cider vinegar with water and wipe it over the afflicted area throughout the day.
- Shea butter is rich, creamy, and packed with essential fatty acids to keep your baby’s skin happy and protected. It’s a great natural choice to use in babies’ daily skincare routine to reinforce their skin’s natural barrier. Besides making the skin incredibly soft, shea butter has an antifungal property. It’s high in Vitamin A and E, and it helps to promote collagen production in the skin. It’s naturally anti-inflammatory, helping to soothe even the most sensitive skins. Using baby products containing shea butter, such as a natural diaper cream or daily lotion, will create a protective barrier on your baby’s skin, as well as protect the skin against sun damage and other skin irritations.
- Blueberry leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals and are known for their remarkable soothing, protective, and antioxidative properties. It is ideal for babies; they offer natural protection even for the most delicate skins. Blueberry leaf extract can be found in natural skincare products for babies and can be used daily to protect, moisturize, and soothe their sensitive skin.
- Margosa (neem) leaves are one of the most effective natural home remedies that work as an antiseptic. Grind the leaves with water in a mixer-grinder to form a paste-like consistency and apply the paste on the affected areas for relief from the itching and rashes. This also helps with soothing mosquito bites.