Does your baby have rashes on her cute little bottom?
These rashes can cause her great pain and misery.
No mother would ever want to see her baby suffering.
It’s a good thing diaper rashes can be relieved by natural remedies.
One good example is coconut oil.
Read on to find out more about the following:
- What are the causes and symptoms of diaper rash
- What coconut oil does for the health
- Why and how to use coconut oil for treating diaper rash
RELATED: 14 Essential Oils for Babies to Relieve Colic, Diaper Rash and Other Issues
Types, Causes and Symptoms of Diaper Rash
Diaper rash refers to the skin rashes that appear on the areas covered by diaper [1].
Also called irritant diaper dermatitis, this condition is characterized by patches of inflamed and scaly skin usually on the areas where there are skin folds [1].
A secondary fungal or bacterial infection is likely to occur since these microorganisms thrive on moist and wet areas [1].
Diaper rash comes in three general types:
- Rashes caused by diaper wearing (miliaria, intertrigo, irritant contact dermatitis, granuloma gluteal infantum, candidal diaper dermatitis)
- Rashes that appear in the groin area (psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and eczema)
- Rashes that appear in the diaper area even when diaper is not used (bullous impetigo, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, acrodermatitis enteropathica, scabies and congenital syphilis) [2]
This prevalent skin condition can be caused by any of the following factors:
- Prolonged exposure to and irritation from urine and stool. If you don’t change your baby’s diaper as soon as there’s urine or feces, it’s possible for the skin to become irritated. This is particularly true in cases of diarrhea and frequent bowel movements. Feces can irritate the skin more easily than urine.
- Friction from tight-fitting diapers can also causes rashes to appear on the skin.
- Irritation from chemicals. Chemicals from the baby wipes, detergents, baby soap or even from the diaper can cause skin irritation and diaper rashes.
- Bacterial or fungal infection. As mentioned earlier, bacterial or fungal infections may occur particularly within the skin creases.
- Introduction of solid foods. Babies who start to eat solid foods will experience changes in stool frequency. The more babies poop, the more the skin is exposed to feces, and the more likely it is for her to get diaper rashes. This is why, it’s imperative to change the diaper as soon as it is soiled [3].
Diaper rash manifests in two types of signs:
- Skin signs
- Changes in baby’s behavior and mood
The skin in the diaper region is covered by rashes, and skin feels tender and painful to touch [4].
Your baby, who is usually happy and bubbly, can be fussier, more moody, and would appear uncomfortable especially when you change her diaper [4].
Visit your baby’s doctor if any of the following signs arise:
- Rashes that do not improve or even worsen after home treatment
- Severe or unusual rashes
- Rashes that ooze or bleed
- Rashes that cause severe pain
- Rashes that affect defacation or urination
- High fever [5]
Uses and Benefits of Coconut Oil
Cultivated in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical regions, coconut tree is highly valued for its nutritional, medicinal and industrial purposes [6].
Its fruit is packed with beneficial dietary fiber as well as vitamins and minerals, making it as a highly “functional food” [6].
The oil extracted from the fruit, meanwhile, is known to have high amounts of saturated fat [6].
There was a time in the past when people thought that saturated fat is bad for the health [6].
It was during this time that people tried to avoid using coconut oil [6].
After a while, it was discovered that coconut oil is beneficial to health, and in fact, it is composed of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) which are transformed into ketones that are good for the brain [6, 7].
Coconut oil is also loaded with phenolic compounds and cytokinins, which promote brain health and function [6].
It’s no surprise that coconut oil has numerous benefits for the health.
Some of these include:
- Moisturizes dry skin
- Reduces skin sagging and appearance of wrinkles
- Resolves skin problems like psoriasis, eczema and skin infections
- Promotes hair growth and revitalizes damaged hair
- Protects the heart from disease
- Helps in weight loss by boosting the metabolism
- Powers up the immunity with its antimicrobial substances
- Boosts digestion
- Fights fungal, viral and bacterial infections [8].
Why Use Coconut Oil for Diaper Rash?
Even when you do everything to take care of your baby, problems can still occur.
One of the most common issues that parents have to deal with is diaper rash.
Most parents turn to zinc oxide and petroleum jelly to resolve this condition.
These are common ingredients used in barrier ointments and cream products.
Some doctors also recommend antifungal medications, or even a steroid product.
However, there are cases when these products do not work.
Plus, it’s important to know that steroid agents may increase the risk of Cushing syndrome.
So you don’t expose your little one to harmful chemicals, it would be a good idea to rely on natural home remedies like coconut oil.
Here are the reasons you should use coconut oil for treating your baby’s diaper rash:
- It’s natural and safe to use on baby’s sensitive skin.
- Most babies are not allergic to coconut oil.
- This oil possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help keep secondary infections at bay [9].
- Coconut oil has been proven to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, which can come in handy in easing the symptoms of diaper rash—pain and swelling [10].
- It nourishes the skin and keeps it moisturized.
- Vitamin E in coconut oil promotes skin repair and renewal [11].
Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Relieving Diaper Rash
These remedies below make use of coconut oil and other natural ingredients that can also help in minimizing the unpleasant symptoms of diaper rash.
#1. Apply Pure Coconut Oil
With its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic properties, topical application of coconut oil will surely help alleviate your baby’s discomfort.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Recommended Directions:
- Wash your baby’s bottom with warm water.
- Use a clean towel to pat it dry.
- Heat one tablespoon of coconut oil in a saucepan.
- Let it cool.
- Make sure that it’s not too hot to scald your baby’s skin.
- It should just be a little warm.
- Apply warm coconut oil on your baby’s bottom.
- Gently massage.
- Leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Wait for at least 30 minutes before putting on new diaper.
- Do this several times a day for one to two weeks.
#2. Blend Coconut Oil and Lavender Oil
Lavender won’t only help calm your baby down, it will also help fight microbes that may cause infection in the diaper region.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 5 drops of lavender oil
Recommended Directions:
- Combine lavender oil and coconut oil in a bowl.
- Mix well.
- Use a cotton pad to spread a thin layer of the oil blend in the affected parts of the skin.
- Let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Use this remedy twice a day until diaper rashes are gone.
RELATED: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
#3. Mix Coconut Oil with Medicinal Flowers
Chamomile and calendula have soothing effects on the skin that will definitely benefit your baby’s rash-ridden skin.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of chamomile flowers
- 1 tablespoon of calendula flowers
- 1/4 cup of shea butter
Recommended Directions:
- In the microwave, put coconut oil with chamomile and calendula flowers.
- Heat it for about 20 seconds.
- Mix it well.
- Strain the mixture.
- Add shea butter.
- Mix well.
- Apply cream on the affected skin.
- Wait for 10 minutes before changing new diaper.
- Use this procedure several times a day to get rid of nappy rash.
RELATED: 12 Health Benefits of Calendula Oil (#2 is Impressive)
#4. Make Nourishing Cream with Coconut Oil
Shea butter contains vitamin A and E, which will not only keep skin hydrated, but can also prevent infection and promote skin healing.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup of shea butter
- 1/4 cup of coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of beeswax
- 2 tablespoons of glycerin
Recommended Directions:
- Add coconut oil to shea butter.
- Put this mixture in a saucepan and warm it a little.
- Add in beeswax.
- Remove from heat when mixture has melted.
- Mix in glycerin.
- Put mixture in the blender to turn it into a cream.
- Apply cream on rashes.
- Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat daily for one to two weeks.
#5. Make Coconut Oil Spray
This is a quick way to keep your baby’s bottom moisturized and protected from fungal and bacterial infections.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1 cup of water
- 2 drops of tea tree oil
Recommended Directions:
- Add coconut oil and tea tree oil to a spray bottle.
- Add water.
- Shake to blend well.
- Spray mixture on diaper rashes.
- Do this three times a day for one week.
Bottom Line
Coconut oil is rich in health benefits that people should know more about.
For your baby who’s suffering from diaper rash, make use of this natural remedy to put an end to her pain and discomfort so you can also have peace of mind.
Share with us our experience of using these home remedies on your little one. Write in the comment section.
