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Almost every mother and child has had some experience with diaper rash at some time. The causes of diaper rash are varied. Some of the causes include yeast infection, irritation from paper diapers, generally sensitive skin, reaction to the soap used to wash the diapers, digestive disturbance from some food that the nursing mother has eaten, and a reaction to antibiotic medications. The symptoms are a red rash, sometimes mild, sometimes a bright red, almost scalded look to the skin around the genitals and bottom of your baby.
Researchers have conducted over 300 studies to get to the bottom of diaper rash, also known as diaper dermatitis. Many of the studies simply confirm common sense: the wetter the diaper, the worse the diaper rash. A number of factors have been found to worsen diaper rash, including early introduction of cereals in the baby's diet and putting the baby to sleep on his or her back.
Diaper rash can be caused by either mechanical irritation or by infection. Contact diaper rash (diaper rash caused by a reaction to stool, urine, soaps, disposable diapers, or plastic pants) produces redness and irritation. There may be swollen areas, and the skin may be dry and scaling, with discolored patches. Contact rash is often treated with zinc-oxide, a standard drug store remedy.
Infectious diaper rash can be caused by either yeast (candida albicans) or bacteria (staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as "staph"). Both infections make the skin bright red, shiny, and smooth, although staph may also cause small ulcerations to form. Candidal infections are generally treated with oral antifungal medications, while staph is treated with steroid creams instead of oral medications.
It usually pays to have the rash diagnosed so the proper treatment can be used. For contact diaper rash, alternate any of the following herbs (except for coptis) with zinc-oxide, using the zinc at one diaper changing and the herb at the next. To control infectious diaper rash, use coptis in addition to any prescription medication. All the herbs listed here are for external use only.
The remedies listed below range from mild to strong.
REMEDIES
The ultimate prevention and cure for diaper rash is to eliminate diapers. Absorbent materials may be laid under the infant while sleeping. This could be sphagnum moss, cattail down, or a modern diaper replacement of a cradle liner of sheep skin. Sheep skin is costly. Other possible suggestions would be multiple layers of soft flannel, soft cotton towels or simply cloth diapers, layered and open under the baby.
Diapers should be changed promptly after the baby has wet them or has had a bowel movement. With a soft cloth, rinse the baby's bottom with clean water, taking special note of the creases in the legs and around the baby's genitalia. Dry the baby well with a clean towel.
When washing cloth diapers, use mild soap flakes rather than detergent, bleach, and ammonia for cleaning diapers. Add apple cider vinegar to the final rinse and dry diapers in the sunlight whenever possible.
Use Arrowroot powder, cornstarch powder or clay powder rather than talc or commercial baby powders. Talc is considered a cancer-containing agent and commercial powders can rashes.
Use olive oil, wheat germ oil, Plantain oil, or other simple oils instead of lotions or vaseline. Lotions are usually scented and liable to cause reactions on sensitive skins; vaseline (and other mineral oil products) is a petroleum product.
Information from Susun Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year.
Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year By Susun S, Weed, Janice Novet
This is a complete herbal book for dealing with every problem that might arise before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth. This is a great book for people interested in alternative medicine and herbs. Full of hard to find information.
Wise Woman Herbal - Healing Wise by Susun S. Weed
Susun Weed writes from a naturistic, feminist point of view that is as ancient and as broad as the Earth Mother herself. Her style is lyrical and inspirational, but her facts are solid.
Breast Cancer! Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way By Susun S. Weed, Christiane Northrup
New Menopausal Years; The Wise Woman Way Alternative Approaches For Women 30-90 By Susun S. Weed
A treasure trove of accessible, reliable, non-drug remedies for women who have chosen strong bones and healthy hearts without recourse to hormones.
HERBS FOR TREATING DIAPER RASH
Calendula: Use Calendula Cream, applying as directed on the label. Cover the entire diaper rash. Calendula promotes wound healing and prevents viral infection. Mildly antibacterial.
Calendula Cream (Marigold), Nature Works, 4 fl. oz.
Calendula Cream, Nelson's Bach, 30 g / 1 oz, Organic
Calendula Gel, Califlora (Relief for First Aid & Sunburn), Homeopathic Boericke & Tafel, 2.75 oz.
Chamomile: German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Cream can be used. Apply as directed on the label. Cover the entire rash. Stops inflammation and allergic irritation.
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment, 1.75 oz. Tube
Daily Diaper Wellness Oil, 2 fl. oz.
Coptis: Finely ground Coptis powder applied by using 1/8 teaspoon in cornstarch powder over affected area. Stops both staph and yeast infections. Can use goldenseal instead.
Licorice: Simicort cream applied as directed on the label. Cover the entire rash. Fights inflammation.
RECOMMENDATIONS & CONSIDERATIONS
To speed healing, wash the baby's bottom with an acidified liquid soap, made by adding 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to the bath water. This kills yeast.
Make sure you use soft diapers. Scratchy diapers constantly irritate the skin. It doesn't hurt to occasionally give your baby a break from diapers by leaving them off for a few hours or so and let the air get to your baby's bottom.
Because zinc-oxide has a drying effect, do not apply it to cracked or dry skin.
If your baby is taking antifungal drugs for candidal diaper rash (caused by yeast infection), use acidophilus supplements (or active culture unsweetened yogurt) to reestablish a healthy bacterial balance in the baby's digestive system for two or three weeks after the antifungal drugs are discontinued. Acidophilus (a supplemental form of the "friendly" microbe Lactobacillus acidophilus) helps keep harmful yeasts from taking root in the skin. Use 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon daily in formula or breastmilk. It can be added to yogurt and spoon fed if you baby is old enough to take a spoon.
Acidophilus Powder, Non Dairy, 4 oz. Bulk
It is vitally important that steroid drugs for diaper rash be given externally, and not orally or by injection.
Children who wear disposable diapers are more likely than children who wear cloth diapers to suffer diaper rash. Diaper wipes can also cause skin irritation.
DIAPER RASH SUPPLEMENTAL PRODUCTS
Supplements and information for help with Diaper Rash.
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment, 1.75 oz. Tube
Take a natural approach to soothing Baby's tender bottom with Burt's Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment.Daily Diaper Wellness Oil, 2 fl. oz.
Daily Diaper Wellness Oil is a gentle oil that can be applied to a baby's bottom at each diaper change to protect the delicate skin and provide a moisture barrier.Antibacterial Diaper Wellness Oil, Diaper Rash Treatment, 2 fl. oz.
Use Antibacterial Diaper Wellness Oil whenever a diaper rash is beginning.Nature's Antiseptic Tea Tree Oil and Grapefruit Seed Extract, CJ Puotinen, Paperback
Nature's Warfare, this book covers tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract use in safely destroying viruses, bacteria, molds, yeasts and parasites that want to live in us and on us.Pascalite Bentonite Healing Powder, 16 oz. Powder in Flip-top Bottle
Pascalite is used in soap and toothpaste, applied as a poultice to insect bites, sunburns, infections, cold sores, canker sores and acne, and as a suppository for hemorrhoids. Users found it a potent skin cleanser and conditioner, drank it for heartburn and ulcers.Unscented Emu Oil Soap, Bar Soap by Thunder Ridge Emu Products
This unscented Emu Oil Soap Bar is moisturizing, condition, non-irritating, and accompanied with all the benefits of emu oil.Scented Emu Oil Soap, Bar Soap by Thunder Ridge Emu Products
This lightly Scented Emu Oil Soap Bar is moisturizing, condition, non-irritating, and accompanied with all the benefits of emu oil.Comfrey Leaf Ointment, Nature's Way, 2 oz.
Comfrey Ointment has long been a favorite for herbalists in its topical applications. Traditionally, it is used in the relief of pain from minor burns, diaper rash, abrasions, cuts and stings.NutriBiotic Body & Food Powder, w/Grapefruit Seed Extract, All Natural, 4 oz.
Grapefruit Seed Extract Body and Foot Powder is actually a multipurpose product. It is extremely pure and mild and therefore may be used all over the body on adults as well as children.Green Gifting Baby Care Kit, Burt's Baby Bee
Limited Edition Baby Bee Gift Kit. Your little one will be giggling with delight after using the luxurious buttermilk soaps, soaks and lotions in this cute kit.Cradle Cap Information / Seborrheic Dermatitis Supplements, Information & Products
Information, supplements and products for cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis, a non-infectious skin condition resulting in oily scales and crusts that appear on the scalp of newborns and infants.Infants & Children
Products and Supplements for Infants and Young Children.
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
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Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Blends & Resins
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Diffusers, Nebulizers, & Burners
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MoonDragon's ObGyn Information: Candida Infection
