Compare Current Diaper+Rash Drugs and Medications with Ratings & Reviews

The Best Diaper Rash Creams for Babies in 2021

Even with superabsorbent diaper technology and frequent diaper changes, diaper rash can happen from time to time. It’s worth having a good diaper rash cream on hand to help settle your little one’s skin and help prevent the condition from reoccurring. To help you choose the best diaper rash cream for your baby, we surveyed more than 10,000 Pampers Parents. Discover their favorite products here as well as some pros and cons of each.

What Is Diaper Rash and What Causes It?

Diaper rash is a rash that can appear around your baby’s diaper area. It usually makes your baby’s skin red and tender. It’s sometimes accompanied by red bumps, scaly skin, and—in more severe cases—blisters or open sores.

Diaper rash often forms when urine or poop irritates your baby’s skin, such as when she’s been in a wet or dirty diaper a little too long. However, there are several other potential causes of diaper rash, including:

• A diaper that’s too tight

• A diaper that chafes against your baby’s skin

• An allergic reaction to certain soaps, laundry detergents, fragrances, baby wipes, or even certain foods

• A skin infection caused by fungi or bacteria

• A yeast infection that’s brought on by your baby taking antibiotics, which can lead to an overgrowth of yeast.

How to Treat Diaper Rash

Here are some things you can do to help treat or prevent diaper rash:

1. Change your baby’s diaper often. This is typically the best way to clear up or prevent diaper rash.

2. Use superabsorbent, disposable diapers. This is particularly important if you’re treating diaper rash.

3. Clean your baby’s bottom carefully and gently during each diaper change. Use fragrance-free and alcohol-free wipes or rinse your baby’s bottom with warm water.

4. Ideally, let your baby’s bottom air-dry. If not, pat your baby’s bottom completely dry after cleaning it during a diaper change.

5. Apply a thick layer of diaper rash cream or ointment. You might like to get your baby’s healthcare provider’s advice about how to apply diaper rash cream, especially if the provider has prescribed a cream for a more severe diaper rash.

6. Make sure your baby’s diapers fit properly. If they’re too tight, there isn’t enough airflow, the diaper might chafe against the skin, and urine or poop might be held against your baby’s skin—all of which can increase the risk of diaper rash.

7. Connect with your baby’s healthcare provider for advice, especially if the diaper rash doesn’t clear up within 48 to 72 hours, or if it gets worse.

Types of Diaper Rash Creams and Ointments

Diaper rash creams often have a base ingredient of either petroleum jelly or zinc oxide, both of which serve as a barrier to protect the skin from damaging moisture. You might want to experiment with the different base ingredients to see what works best for your baby.

For example, Aquaphor is a classic petroleum-jelly-based product, and Desitin is a well-known zinc-oxide-based product.

Other ingredients are sometimes added, among them aloe vera and calendula, which one study has shown to be effective in treating diaper rash.

If your baby’s diaper rash is more severe or is caused by a yeast infection, your baby’s healthcare provider may recommend or prescribe a special cream or ointment such as a gentle hydrocortisone cream (a steroid cream), an antifungal cream, or an antibiotic.

If you’re unsure which diaper rash cream might be best for your little one, consult your baby’s healthcare provider.

What to Consider When Choosing a Diaper Rash Cream

We polled Pampers Parents to find out what they look for in a diaper rash cream. These are the top features they felt were worth considering when choosing a diaper rash cream:

• Effectiveness — in that it works quickly at healing the diaper rash

• Safe on your baby’s sensitive skin

• Made with the least amount of chemicals

• Hypoallergenic

• Fragrance-free

• Ease of application — that is, it goes on smoothly and not too thickly

• Not too messy and easy to wash off your hands

• Made with natural ingredients

• Affordability.

9 Best Diaper Rash Creams and Ointments

More than 10,000 Pampers Parents voted for the best diaper rash creams. Here are the top nine creams as chosen by Pampers Parents:

1. Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant

This ointment can also be used for many other issues such as chapped skin, drool rash, and minor cuts or scrapes, so you might want to add a tub to your baby first aid kit. It can also help protect skin from becoming overly dry from wind and cold weather, too. Your whole family could end up using this ointment!

Highlights: This ointment is formulated without fragrances and preservatives.

Price*: about $26.38 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

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2. Desitin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream

With a base ingredient of zinc oxide, this cream provides your baby’s bottom with a protective barrier against the things that may cause or aggravate diaper rash.

Highlights: The hypoallergenic formula is free of parabens, phthalates, dyes, and added fragrances.

Price*: about $12.38 on Amazon.com

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3. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment

Why pick this one? This diaper rash ointment helps soothe the discomfort of diaper rash. It’s a thick paste that’s good for treating mild diaper rash. It’s made with a 16 percent zinc oxide base.

It might be of interest to know that this diaper rash formula was originally created by a pharmacist and father of four for his own little ones.

Highlights: This formula doesn’t include dyes, preservatives, parabens, or talc.

Price*: about $16.10 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

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4. A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment

Why pick this one? This ointment is made with lanolin to help protect your little one’s skin from wetness, and therefore helps treat and prevent diaper rash. It’s also made with vitamins A and D. This formula is free from parabens, phthalates, and dyes.

Highlights: This formula goes on easily and can even be used on your own skin and lips to relieve dry, chapped skin.

Price*: about $10.42 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

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5. Aquaphor Baby Diaper Rash Paste

Why pick this one? Aquaphor Baby Diaper Rash Paste is made with shea butter and maximum strength 40 percent zinc oxide, making it a good choice for a troublesome diaper rash that needs more intensive care.

The cream is rich but not sticky and goes on gently and comes off easily when needed. The manufacturer claims it provides instant relief after just one application.

Highlights: It’s suitable for babies with sensitive skin as it’s made without parabens, fragrance, and talc. It’s completely odorless and hypoallergenic.

Details:

Price*: about $6.67 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

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6. Burt’s Bees Baby 100% Natural Diaper Ointment

Why pick this one? This formula is made with 40 percent zinc oxide and almond oil. It creates a soft and soothing layer on your baby’s skin to protect it from wetness.

Highlights: This 100 percent natural formula has no phthalates, parabens, or sodium laurel sulfates.

Details:

Price*: about $6.95 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

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7. Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm

Why pick this one? Unlike most diaper rash creams, this one isn’t made with either a zinc oxide base or a petroleum jelly base. It’s formulated with beeswax and calendula. It’s also made with several other soothing oils like olive oil and shea butter.

This formula also contains tea tree oil, which is thought to have antibacterial properties.

Highlights: This is the only organic diaper rash cream on this Pampers Parents’ top list.

Price*: about $11.43 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

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8. A+D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Treatment Cream

Why pick this one? As with most diaper rash creams A+D Zinc Oxide Cream is made with zinc oxide as well as dimethicone, an emollient that helps soften and moisturize skin. It spreads on easily for maximum coverage and works effectively for fast healing.

Highlights: Formulated without parabens or dyes.

Price*: about $4.81 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

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9. Balmex Complete Zinc Oxide Protection Diaper Rash Cream

Why pick this one? This formula goes on smoothly and is easy to wipe off, so it won’t irritate your baby’s skin further during diaper changes.

Highlights: This formula is made with aloe and vitamin E to help ease your little one’s discomfort.

Details:

Price*: about $14.49 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

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The Bottom Line

When your little one has diaper rash, it’s usually something that you can quickly treat and heal with a few simple steps or the help of your baby’s healthcare provider. We hope that one of these great diaper rash creams that come recommended by other Pampers Parents does the trick for you and your little one!

Recall Notice

Before buying a product, always check that it’s approved and hasn’t been recalled on sites like the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

*Prices are correct at the time of writing.

How We Got These Results

We surveyed thousands of parents in the Pampers Community and asked them to choose the products they love the most, and to share their views on specific products and product categories.

Based on the survey responses, we have taken the top product picks and added our own research to create this article. The aim is to help you choose the right product for you and your family. We might receive commissions on purchases made from the links in this article, but the products featured are the Pampers Community’s top choices.

Three We Recommend (And Two We Don’t!)

Need a new diaper rash cream for your baby? Here’s your guide to choosing the best diaper cream, plus how to make your own balm.

Uh oh! If you just spotted the tell-tale signs of a diaper rash—red patches, sore spots, and even little bumps—it’s time to grab some diaper rash cream. But which one?! Conventional products can be loaded with petroleum and many diaper rash creams can even ruin cloth diapers. But—don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it sounds. 

In this post, we’ll cover:

• How to find organic diaper rash cream
• The best diaper rash cream
• Pros and cons of using Desitin diaper rash cream
• What to do for a yeast diaper rash cream

The Best Diaper Rash Creams

We know that you want to find only the best products for your baby, but when it comes to diaper rash creams, you have a few extra considerations (beside’s your baby’s health, of course). The right diaper cream is one that is:

• Free from harmful ingredients, such as fragrance or petroleum
• Safe for your choice of diapers (many diaper rash creams can ruin cloth diapers by affecting their absorbency) 
• Affordable 

Here, some worthy options:

1. MotherLove

MotherLove – Diaper Rash Cream Three We Recommend (And Two We Don’t!) post by Mama Natural

MotherLove is a woman-owned, zero-waste company that strives to make quality, natural products for mothers and babies. MotherLove Diaper Balm is a soft balm made from organic ingredients such as olive oil, calendula flower, beeswax, and oregano root. It also contains yarrow herb and myrrh gum. 

Why we love it: MotherLove Diaper Balm may come in a small jar, but it is a mighty balm. Free from petroleum and zinc oxide, this diaper balm is safe for all types of diapers. You can even use this balm for a yeasty rash, thanks to the inclusion of anti-fungal herbs. Safe for newborns and older. 

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2. Earth Mama Organics 

Earth Mama Organics – Diaper Rash Cream Three We Recommend (And Two We Don’t!) post by Mama Natural

Earth Mama Organics is proud to provide natural and herbal solutions for every step of the motherhood journey from pregnancy into babyhood.

Why we love it: Earth Mama Diaper Balm is not only 100 percent certified organic, but it also only uses ethically-sourced beeswax. This balm is free from both zinc and lanolin, making it another cloth diaper-friendly option. Olive oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter combine with bottom-friendly herbs (like calendula and St. John’s Wort) and essential oils (tea tree and lavender) to keep baby’s bottom clean and free from diaper rashes. (If you prefer herb infusions to essential oils, MotherLove is a better option.)

3. Ora’s Amazing Herbal

Ora’s Amazing Herbal – Diaper Rash Cream Three We Recommend (And Two We Don’t!) post by Mama Natural

Ora’s Amazing Herbal offers natural herbal salves for a variety of conditions for both adults and babies. From new tattoo balm to vanilla scenting body dusting powder, the power of herbs is truly amazing.

Why we love it: It’s not just for tushies! This amazing herbal blend is good for any area that needs a little TLC such as rolls and neck folds. While the slow infusion of herbs into coconut oil can combat the toughest diaper rashes, don’t miss out on these other uses: drool rash cream, moisturizer, cleanser, and overall moisturizer. 

How to Make a DIY Diaper Rash Cream

The organic diaper rash balms can be quite pricey. Luckily, there are some worthy DIY options, including: 

• Plain coconut oil: This has worked for me time and time again! Because coconut oil is antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral, it does a great job with rashes and irritations.
• Breast milk: The ultimate elixir, breast milk can soothe and heal skin. Simply express milk onto the rash and let air dry. Just avoid if you suspect yeast as the cause of the diaper rash—the milk sugars can spur further yeast growth.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Wonderful for soothing skin, and even better for moisturizing rough skin. It provides a nice barrier to help baby’s bottom heal. Plus, it’s safe for cloth diapers (won’t cause urine to repel). Just use sparingly, since they are oils. And, to be safe, use a liner or disposable diaper instead.
• Non-GMO cornstarch: Mix a tablespoon of organic corn starch with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Be sure to get non-GMO cornstarch, like these. And don’t use this remedy for a yeasty rash.
• Kefir or live (plain) yogurt: Dab a bit onto a yeasty diaper rash to help clear it.  
• Raw apple cider vinegar: Dabbing a bit of apple cider vinegar onto a yeasty rash functions the same way as the yogurt or kefir.

Alternatively, if you’ve got a little time on your hands, you can whip up a more involved  batch of your own diaper rash cream fairly easily. 

Homemade diaper rash cream recipe

What you need:

What to do:

1. Melt the beeswax pellets, coconut oil, and shea butter in a double boiler.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Let cool (but not harden).
4. Add the essential oils.
5. Whip with your hand mixer until the mixture is thick, whipped, and creamy.
6. Store in a glass jar in a cool, dry area.

What About Desitin?

Desitin is a popular diaper rash cream, thanks to its high zinc oxide content. It’s a powerful paste that wipes out diaper rash stat.

The problem? Desitin is rated as a 4 in the Environmental Working Group database, but some individual ingredients rate up to a 5. These scores classify Desitin as a “moderate hazard.” Not exactly what you want to hear when you think about applying it to your baby’s delicate bum. 

According to EWG, the highest concerns include:

• Irritation to your baby’s eyes and skin
• Organ toxicity
• Irritation to lungs

The Maximum Strength version is even worse. As a whole, EWG ranks it as a 4, but the list of ingredients is worse. The Maximum Strength Desitin contains fragrance (ranked as an 8!), talc (which is known to contain asbestos fibers), and petroleum. (source) 

Beware of Greenwashing Brands…

There are some popular “natural” brands out there that may look like a good choice at first glance. Unfortunately, though, greenwashing is just as prevalent in diaper creams as it is in other products, like makeup.

Honest Diaper is probably one of the most common choices among parents trying to choose a cleaner diaper rash cream, but it’s a choice that should give you pause. Their diaper rash cream contains zinc oxide, which can tackle a rash, but ruin your cloth diapers. It also contains castor oil, which can irritate babies with eczema or contact dermatitis. (source)

Maty’s is another organic company that is popping up in many retail stores (including Whole Foods). They offer a variety of products from all-natural cough syrups to diaper creams. Although Maty’s is much better than most conventional diaper creams, note that it is only 99% organic. It also includes castor oil and zinc. This may not the best option if you cloth diaper, as zinc can build up and make your diapers less absorbent. 

Preventing Diaper Rash in the First Place

The bottom line: Though diaper rash cream is great for treating flare-ups, the best way to treat diaper rash is to try and prevent it. It’s not always possible, but these are the best tips for reducing the risk of diaper rashes: 

• Go diaper free when possible. This helps air out baby’s bottom. Warm, moist areas are more prone to rashes.
• Change baby’s diaper more often. Some babies just get diaper rashes more easily than others. If your baby seems to have extra sensitive skin, try adding a few extra diaper changes into the day to keep baby’s bottom as fresh and dry as possible.
• Air dry. Let your baby’s bottom air dry before putting a diaper back on after changes.
• Don’t fasten the diaper too tightly. This can limit air flow and increase the risk of a rash.

What About You?

Do you have a favorite diaper cream? Or a favorite DIY recipe? Share with us!

How to Cure Diaper Yeast Infections

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My son has only had a few very bad diaper rashes. Whenever he shows any kind of diaper rash signs we put on Desitin or this homemade diaper rash cream and it goes away. A few weeks ago nothing was working.  The regular, extra strength and my miracle diaper rash cream weren’t cutting it and the rash looked a LOT worse, bumpy, and different than a regular diaper rash. Weirdly enough he wasn’t fussy about his rash either. After some research, I found out that he had a yeast infection.

Characteristics of a yeast infection:

“You may not be able to detect yeast in a mild diaper rash, but once a yeast infection is full blown you can usually tell that’s what it is because the rash will be well defined and beefy red, with slightly raised borders and “satellite” lesions (red lesions a slight distance from the main rash). Your child’s skin may also be scaly.

Another big clue: A yeast rash tends to hang around for longer than two days and doesn’t respond to traditional diaper rash treatments. It also usually shows up in the skin folds of the groin area.”-BabyCenter

What does it look like:

It is red, bumpy and darker in color than most rashes. It spreads to areas that usually don’t see much redness on a typical diaper rash (like in the folds of skin, near the top of the thighs, in the upper groin area). It looks different than a typical diaper rash. I didn’t want to put images of my two babies rashes online. But if you google ‘diaper yeast infection’ and then click on images you’ll see quite a few. That is what I did.

Diagnosis:

Because my son wasn’t responding like normal to any diaper rash creams (like he always does), the rash started higher in the genital area and was spreading to the folds of skin near his thighs, he wasn’t complaining or being fussy like with a regular rash, and it resembled most of those images, I was sure it was a yeast infection.

Treatment:

After doing many of the 10 steps below the infection stopped growing and started fading. It was completely gone in about 6 days. Just after his infection went away my daughter started getting a yeast infection. I saw the signs immediately and began the following protocol and a few days later hers is almost gone. Because I started treating it immediately, it never grew very large. My son was very spread out.

So here are 10 steps to take when your child gets a diaper yeast infection.

1. Stop giving them sugar of any kind (as much as possible). Yeast feeds on sugar. Try to keep them away from candy, sugary snacks, simple starches, and juices. We gave 90% water 10% juice to our son during this time and limited milk to just one cup instead of two a day.

2. Feed them probiotics. I got gummy probiotics for my son who is 2 1/2. I had him take two to four a day. Plain yogurt or yogurt with probiotics and little-added sugar is also great. The problem with most yogurt is there is too much sugar for the probiotics in it. Read the labels carefully.

3. Keep them as dry as possible. Yeast grows in damp areas. Make sure they are completely dry before putting creams on. Change diapers often (as soon as they are even slightly wet). If you are using cloth diapers dry them in the sun to naturally bleach and kill the yeast in them.

4. Let the area air out. If you can, let them be without a diaper as much as possible. I also went up a size in diapers so there was plenty of room for air to circulate.

5. Use natural wipes, a spray bottle with water, or watered down paper towels. Avoid using wipes with fragrances, chemicals, etc. on the infection. Wash your hands well after each diaper change.

6. Natural things to put on rash. Coconut oil, plain yogurt, open up capsules of probiotics and pour the probiotic powder on the rash.  These natural remedies were effective in slowing the yeast down from rapidly spreading, not stopping it entirely. I didn’t try essential oils (although I should’ve). Lemon, lavender, and melaleuca essential oils are also known to help combat yeast. Be sure to dilute oils if using on an infant/child and do the necessary research before using.

7. Over the counter things to put on the rash. Miconazole Nitrate cream (4%) aka 3 Day Monistat. We saw the BEST SUCCESS and dramatic results using Miconazole Nitrate (4%). It is also used for jock itch and adult vaginal yeast infections and comes in cream and spray forms. I used the spray a few times but it was too cold and strong for my son so I just stuck with the cream. I found Miconazole Nitrate (4%) in the tampon section of the grocery store. I bought the store brand (cheaper) yeast infection package for women (3 day treatment) and used the tube of cream inside the box and threw out the other items. I used 4 boxes (the tubes of cream are tiny). If I were to go through this with my kids yet again, I would get a tube immediately from the grocery store and then buy the cheaper larger creams from Amazon via prime (free 2 day shipping) here to save money.

Lotramin (yielded mediocure results). Although many see results with Lotramin (generic name: clotrimazole cream), they were not near as dramatic as the Miconazole Nitrate (4%) so I would not waste my time with this cream again. That said, if the Miconazole Nitrate (4%) doesn’t work for you, you could try clotrimazole.

Cherry Antacid liquid– Some people have had success with cherry liquid antacid (because it neutralizes the acid the yeast feeds on). Don’t ask me why but many doctors say to only use the cherry flavor.

Triple Paste AF (anti-fungal)– Some people I’ve read about put this over one of the aforementioned creams to help create a barrier and to help kill the yeast. Triple Paste AF is harder to find locally but it is on Amazon here.

8. Prescriptions. There are some remedies that are not offered over the counter. If the condition persists more than a few days and is not getting better, see a doctor for a prescribed ointment and/or medication.

9. If desperate times call for desperate measures then use Gentian Violet (1% solution in water).  If doing the following things and seeing a doctor is still not working, you could try Gentian Violet. Do the research on Gentian Violet first but apparently, it works, as this lady tried everything (even prescription meds) and nothing worked for her baby until she used Gentian Violet.

10. Things to avoid putting on the rash. Cornstarch, baby powder, talcum powder, regular diaper rash creams, tight diapers, wipes with chemicals or fragrances, and cloth diapers that have not been sterilized properly. These do not fight the yeast and/or can make it worse.

Finally, try to pin point what caused the yeast infection in the first place and avoid it. For our son, we were at the lake all day and he was constantly in and out of the water. He was wet the majority of the day. We’ve since tried to make sure he dries out really good for a few hours in between playing in the water.

With our daughter, we are not sure of the cause. Perhaps it is her sleeping through the night (being in a diaper longer). The good news is because I could spot the infection and we had the supplies to treat it immediately, her infection never spread very much and in a few days is almost completely gone.

Good luck treating your little ones’ yeast infections.

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The Best Diaper Rash Treatments and Creams, According To a Pediatric Dermatologist

It’s one of the most disconcerting things you see during the diaper years: A baby butt covered in a patchwork of painful, searing, inflamed bumps and sores, which is the condition we fondly know as diaper rash. The worst of the rashes can cause great pain, and leave you feeling utterly helpless. It doesn’t help that diapers need to be changed, and the more you wipe that delicate baby area, the worse the rash can get. Here’s the good news: The best diaper rash cream or ointment usually gets rid of it in a matter of days.

Dr. Anna Bender, a pediatric dermatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, estimates that almost half of all babies develop diaper rash at some point. Diaper rash is most commonly caused by friction and moisture from wet or dirty diapers, when they rub against the skin. It’s more common in older babies who sleep through the night and wake up with fully-loaded diapers. Your child can also develop it when he or she starts solids and the poop changes consistency, or if your child is sick and has diarrhea.

The key to getting rid of it is to change diapers often (every few hours, or when soiled), and to apply a hefty layer of diaper paste to act as a barrier between the skin and the urine and feces.

“​I love zinc oxide diaper paste for irritant rashes, which is the most common cause of diaper rash.  The key is to apply a thick layer like cake icing at each diaper change and to change the diaper frequently,” says Bender.

All of the products we picked have the topical mineral zinc oxide as their active ingredients, ranked in order from lowest to highest in terms of concentration. Moderate concentrations of zinc oxide, at around 14-15 percent, are good for preventing diaper rash. Higher concentrations, in the 40 percent ballpark, are meant for treatment. Creams are thinner, ointments are somewhat thicker, and pastes are the way to go if you’re dealing with severely rashy skin.

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard’s line of baby supplies is known for low prices and high efficacy. Same goes for this cream, which contains a solid 40 percent of zinc oxide. If your kid has ongoing issues with diaper rash, this is something you might want to try out.

One the fancier end of the diaper rash spectrum is this cream from Pipette. It contains 14 percent non-nano zinc oxide, which acts as a barrier, and shea butter, which acts as the moisturizer.

The Mustela diaper rash cream is 9.9 percent zinc oxide. This product is gentler, and is composed of 98 percent plant-based ingredients. It’s got sunflower oil to repair the skin barrier, avocado to protect the diaper area, and zinc oxide to provide a protective barrier.

This hands-free diaper rash spray is ideal for travel, or for any parent on the go. It contains 25 percent zinc oxide, goes on fast, and doesn’t run or get messy.

This no-frills but utterly effective paste has 12.8 percent zinc oxide. It goes on thick, it stays on, and it does the job when it comes to preventing the rash or stopping it from getting worse. It’s fragrance-free, as well.

Parents rave about the just-right consistency of this cream, and its soothing chamomile scent. This diaper rash cream also has a 14 percent concentration of zinc oxide as its active ingredient. And it’s made without parabens, petroleum, synthetic fragrances, dyes, silicones, petrolatum, or mineral oil.

This diaper rash cream is 16 percent zinc oxide, plus it’s got shea and cocoa butters to nourish baby skin, and coconut oil to keep skin smooth and soft.

The active ingredient in this powerhouse paste is 40 percent zinc oxide, and this hard-core product is ideal for persistent, stubborn diaper rash. It’s also free of dyes, preservatives, parabens, and talc, all of which can irritate the skin.

This diaper rash ointment contains 40 percent zinc oxide, smells nice, and is made without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or SLS. It’s also got sweet almond, lanolin, and jojoba seed oil to help soothe angry baby skin.

If you want a product that’s light on the zinc oxide but still deeply effective, here’s the one to try. The active ingredient is zinc oxide, but only at two percent. It also works to help get rid of cradle cap: Just use it for three days on a clean, dry scalp and cover with an all-cotton cap. Reapply twice daily while covering with the cap after each application. Wash hair on the fourth day.

Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Baby Diaper Rash Treatment Guide

What Is Diaper Rash?

A diaper rash is the skin’s way of saying that the area in and around a diaper is not happy. Such rashes can occur at any age when a diaper is in use, starting as early as one week, but are most common among babies ages 9-12 months old. And they really are common: 50-60% of all babies will experience at least one diaper rash.

What Causes Diaper Rash?

You’ve likely heard before that diaper rash is a result of extended exposure to a dirty diaper, particularly if your baby is experiencing watery stools. Sitting in a urine-soaked or poop-soiled diaper for any extended period of time is almost certain to cause the skin to react adversely because those substances are literally the body’s way of getting rid of waste. However, diaper rashes are also a common effect of prolonged excrement exposure because that warm, moist environment within the diaper is the ideal space for a fungal infection, particularly yeast, to thrive. Yet while such overproduction of the naturally present yeast known as candida albicans is one other possible source, there are still other possible diaper rash causes that are important to be aware of.

Tight-fitting diapers, for instance, can also cause rubbing and chafing which will irritate and dry out baby’s skin to cause flaking. New hygiene products, such as baby wipes, diapers, soaps, or detergents, may also be causing irritation to baby’s delicate skin. Chemicals that pose no trouble to your own skin may be too harsh for baby’s, which is up to 30% thinner than that of an adult.

Finally, the introduction of new foods, particularly those that are acidic such as citrus fruits, pineapple, and tomato-based goods, may also contribute to a baby diaper rash. Even a breastfed baby may experience diaper rash symptoms if mom has consumed a high concentration of these foods.

What Does Diaper Rash Look Like?

Just as there are a variety of diaper rash causes, not all diaper rashes look the same. General diaper rash symptoms include vibrant red patches – think “a bad sun burn” – on the buttocks, genitals, or thighs and cause distress for baby, especially when being changed or washed in that area. It’s not unusual for a baby with a diaper rash, especially a severe diaper rash, to be consistently fussier than usual or to pull or tug at their diaper area.

Other indicators to look for include red dots scattered around the creases of baby’s skin, which can indicate a yeast infection as the diaper rash culprit.

Visible signs that your baby may be experiencing something other than diaper rash include itchiness, sores that bleed or ooze, and resistance to or worsening of the rash in light of home remedies. Similarly, if the rash extends beyond the diapered area or is accompanied by fever, a diaper rash is not the primary issue. In such instances, consult with your pediatrician.

How to Cure Even the Worst Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is the worst. And the worst diaper rash? There aren’t adequate words…but that’s OK because your child’s screams say it all.

When babies have a diaper rash, their little bottoms are red, raw, spotted and possibly even bleeding. And if they pee in their diaper when one is raging? Judging from my daughter’s cries, I’m assuming it’s the equivalent of pouring salt into an open wound—if that salt was mixed with a gallon of acid.

The crazy part of all this? As a second-time mom, this is completely new to me. I somehow made it through my firstborn’s diaper stage without a single diaper rash. Seriously. I may even have been a little smug about it.

Yep, I’m a jerk.

This time around, well, let’s just say that the universe knocked me down a peg or 20. My poor daughter has the most sensitive skin and is prone to the worst diaper rashes. Looking back, I realize that my son’s lack of diaper rashes was pure luck and had everything to do with his skin and digestive system and nothing to do with me.

So, over the past 10 months, I’ve gotten a crash course in all things diaper rashes. How’s my toddler’s bottom now? Mostly good, but I have to stay vigilant or else her rash comes back with a vengeance. The good news is that now I know how to minimize her discomfort in the moment and get rid of a diaper rash fast.

Here’s how you can do the same.

The most common causes are prolonged exposure to a dirty diaper and frequent poopy diapers. My daughter’s diaper-rash issue popped up when she started eating a wider variety of foods, some of which were acidic and very loved (like strawberries). Other causes can include: particularly sensitive skin, too-tight diapers, an allergic reaction to a new product and antibiotics.

And this completely surprised me: Some Momsanity mamas alerted me to the fact that an impossible-to-treat diaper rash might actually not be a diaper rash at all—it could be a yeast infection. Who knew?! If nothing works, it’s time to see a doctor. Make sure to ask about this possibility while you’re there.

Change dirty diapers immediately. You’ll want to be on top of diaper changes when your little one is in the throes of a bad rash. Pee and poop exacerbate both the rash and the pain.

Clean the area thoroughly. The problem is, even the gentlest baby wipes can sting your baby’s very red, very sensitive rear end. When things are particularly bad, opt for a damp paper towel and dab at the area lightly.

Dry the area. Moisture is the enemy. Make sure that baby’s bottom is completely dry before applying any medication and/or putting on a diaper.

Use a diaper-rash cream or ointment. The amazing thing about the products on the market is that they work—fast. It’ll take a little trial and error to find the one that works best for your baby, but trust me when I say that when you find the right one, you’ll cry tears of joy. (Scroll down for recommendations.)

Cut down on acidic foods when a rash is particularly bad. A wide variety of nutrient-rich foods is obviously important to your baby’s overall health, but citrus fruits, strawberries and tomato-based sauces can irritate a baby’s bottom when they make their way through the digestive system. You might want to give less of these foods until the diaper rash clears up.

Let air get at it. Kids love being naked, and this is the time to let it all hang out, so to speak. Letting the area breathe, without having moisture trapped by a diaper, is the best and fastest remedy.

That was my big question. I mean, I was desperate to solve this problem, but I really didn’t want to have pee all over my apartment in the process. (Things were already bad enough with the rash at that point, you know?) So I posed the question to my fellow Momsanity moms on Facebook, and here’s what they told me to do:

Go au naturel outside. Be free, little one! Let babies chill out on a water-resistant mat, and let toddlers run wild with their tushes out. This is great advice if you have a backyard. If you live in an apartment like I do or it’s cold out, it’s unfortunately not an option.

Set up camp in a bathtub. The key here? The tub shouldn’t be filled with water. But get those bath toys out, play your favorite music and keep things nice and contained—where they can be easily cleaned.

Wrap the bottom of a pack and play with a garbage bag, then put a fitted sheet over it. Obviously this could get messy quickly, so—as with all of the other suggestions—be sure to keep a close eye on baby while she’s in there.

Put construction tarp over everything. A mom friend did this when she attempted to potty-train her toddler in a weekend, and it always stuck with me. Not a bad idea if you happen to have some in storage!

Go diaper-free right after your child has wet her diaper. That way, you’ll know you have a little time until the next round.

Cover your kitchen floor with wee-wee pads. Yes, the ones meant for puppies who aren’t yet housebroken. We’re not saying your baby is a dog, but, well, your baby is kind of like a dog. (Check out 13 Ways Your Baby Is Like a Puppy for more on that.)

A&D Ointment: I’m putting this one first because this has been our salvation—the only thing that has worked and worked consistently for my daughter. A&D’s active ingredients are lanolin and petrolatum, and unlike most of the other products on the market, it has a gooey consistency, similar to Bacitracin. I also love it because you can squeeze it on the affected area and then let the diaper mush it around while keeping your hands clean. If the rash is severe, though, I recommend using your fingers to cover the problem area more carefully and thoroughly.

Desitin: The gold standard—or, more accurately, the pasty-white standard—to treat diaper rash. The active ingredient is zinc oxide, and it creates a barrier between your baby’s skin and any pee or poop. The first time I used this on my daughter, it worked almost immediately. Over time, though, it seemed to lose some of its magic, so we went in search of other options and now use this as a backup.

Desitin plus cornstarch: Desitin followed by a sprinkling of cornstarch works wonders on my friend’s little boy. Another idea is to mix petroleum jelly and cornstarch together to make a paste. But one big warning: Cornstarch can actually make certain rashes, like ones caused by a yeast infection, worse. If the rash gets worse after the first cornstarch application, stop using it immediately and talk to your doctor about a possible yeast infection.

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste: Another zinc-based paste that moms love—and not just because of the hilarious name. They say that it doesn’t pull at the skin, unlike the thicker Desitin. Bonus: This will go over particularly well in your house if you also happen to have a preschooler or kindergartner.

Weleda Calendula: A zinc oxide cream with an organic flair. Weleda also contains anti-inflammatory calendula extract (apparently a flower grown in Germany), beeswax, and almond and sesame-seed oils.

Fractionated coconut oil: Coconut oil is the trendy remedy of choice these days, but some Momsanity readers love this natural option. Plus, it smells yummy, which is never a bad thing when you’re talking about diapers. Here’s a recipe to make your own.

Lotrimin and Mylanta: Yes, that would be the cream that treats athlete’s foot and the neon liquid for heartburn relief, respectively. These are off-label uses, obviously, and they should absolutely not be tried without talking to your doctor first. But some Momsanity moms swear by them, and they were recommended by their pediatricians. So, if nothing else seems to be working, ask about these treatments and see what your doctor has to say. Hey, it’s at least worth a discussion!

Diaper-rash creams are a miracle. The only problem? That miracle—especially when it comes in the form of a white paste—is designed not to come off, so when it gets all over your hands, it doesn’t come off. You might think: Big deal. Just use a baby wipe to get it off. Yeah, that’s easier said than done when you’re wrangling a squirmy baby or toddler who wants to launch herself off the changing table and you’re also trying not to get white, pasty cream all over everything.

That’s where the Baby Bum Brush comes in. It’s a soft silicone applicator that lets you apply the cream directly to baby’s bottom, so your fingers never touch the paste. It also has a suction cup at one end, so you can stick it to the changing table, far away from baby’s wandering hands. Genius! You’ll want to kick yourself for not thinking of this first. I know I did.

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So, that’s it! Everything you ever (or never) wanted to know about diaper rashes. My parting words on the topic? Diaper rashes tend to recur, so stay ahead of them and take preventive measures consistently to avoid a breakout. Also? Remember that the diaper stage won’t last forever, so this horror will soon be a distant memory. I promise.

Tell Us: What is—or was—your go-to cure for diaper rashes?

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90,000 How to choose the best diaper rash cream?

Choosing the best diaper rash cream usually involves identifying the cause of the diaper rash and choosing different products to determine which one works best. There are various ingredients that make diaper rash cream effective, and all creams do not contain the same ingredients. Common active ingredients in diaper rash cream are zinc oxide, hydrocortisone, lanolin and petroleum jelly. Most over-the-counter creams are usually effective for diaper rash, but sometimes your doctor needs to prescribe a stronger cream or medicine for the rash that won’t clear up.Antifungal creams are usually recommended for yeast-induced diaper rash.

Zinc oxide is one of the most popular components of diaper rash cream. It may be the best choice for moderate diaper rash, but it may not be strong enough to get the job done in more severe cases. Creams made with this ingredient are usually very easy to apply and probably won’t cost as much as other creams. The cost and typical effectiveness of zinc oxide creams make them a good choice before moving on to brands with a different active ingredient.

Hydrocortisone is known for effectively treating rashes and redness caused by various problems. Creams containing this ingredient may be the best choice if zinc oxide creams are not effective. Hydrocortisone is usually helpful in reducing inflammation, but it should be used with caution due to the sensitivity of the baby’s skin. It is generally not recommended to apply it every diaper change or to use it for a long period of time.Two doses a day are enough, and if the rash persists after a few days, you may need to consult a doctor.

Lanolin is a completely natural ingredient found in some types of diaper rash creams. It acts as a barrier between the diaper and the skin to help prevent irritation, and has healing properties that soothe sore skin. Breastfeeding mothers often use products containing lanolin to soothe and heal sore nipples.Lanolin diaper rash creams may be the best choice for those looking to avoid chemicals, but be sure to check the ingredient list carefully. Not all lanolin products are 100% natural.

There are many popular diaper rash creams that contain petroleum jelly as the active ingredient. Vaseline may be better at preventing diaper rash than it does, but some parents swear by its effectiveness. Safe to apply on every diaper change and generally does a great job at locking in moisture.The only drawback of Vaseline diaper rash cream is that it is usually very dirty and can stain clothes or fabric diapers.

OTHER LANGUAGES

90,000 which remedy for diaper rash to choose?

Table of Contents

Children’s skin differs from adult skin: it is thinner and not so resistant to external influences, therefore it requires special care. But even if you take care of the baby’s skin correctly, diaper rash may appear on it – areas of inflammation in places of contact with moisture and friction with diapers or diapers.To prevent the appearance of diaper rash or to speed up their healing, preventing infectious complications, special means are required ¹ .

Ointment for diaper rash

Ointments contain active ingredients that suppress inflammation and regenerate the skin. They also have a fatty base (for example, lanolin), which helps the active substance penetrate deep into the skin and creates a protective layer on its surface. All ointments are oily, dense consistency, so they provide long-term contact with the active ingredient and reduce the friction of the skin with a diaper or diaper.Thanks to these properties, with the help of ointments, you can both cure diaper rash and prevent their appearance ² .

An example of a reliable baby ointment for diaper rash is Bepanten ointment, which contains provitamin B5 and lanolin in a high concentration ³ . Provitamin B5, penetrating into the deep layers of the skin, quickly turns into vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). It stimulates cell division to promote quick healing of damage and fight inflammation, and strengthens collagen fibers, a major component of the skin4.Lanolin serves as a conductor of provitamin B5 into the skin5 and forms a layer on its surface that prevents contact with moisture, and under the diaper – the irritating effect of feces and urine. One of the important properties of lanolin, in contrast to petroleum jelly, is its ability to create a breathable layer that does not interfere with air exchange, which is extremely important for not fully formed baby’s skin. The natural hypoallergenic composition with a proven high safety profile allows the use of Bepanten ointment for the treatment of diaper rash even in newborns and premature babies ⁶ .

Baby diaper rash cream

Baby creams for diaper rash differ from ointments in a lighter texture, since they are an emulsion of oil and water. They are absorbed faster, but do not have such a strong and long-lasting effect, although they often contain the same substances as ointments. Therefore, children’s cosmetic creams are usually used to prevent diaper rash, and they are sold in stores, while ointments for babies can usually be purchased only in pharmacies.

Anti-diaper rash creams for children moisturize the skin, making it more resistant to the irritating effects of moisture and ammonia in urine and feces.For healthy skin, such protection is quite enough, but in case of damage and signs of inflammation, the cream is replaced with ointment ⁷ .

Powders

⁸

Powders are powdery products, mainly based on talc and starch. Their main function is to absorb moisture, contact with which provokes skin inflammation. Most powders are designed to prevent diaper rash, but sometimes they add herbal extracts, anti-inflammatory or antibacterial components.In this case, they are also used to treat skin diseases. The powder is used in the morning and in the evening, applying it in a thin layer on clean, dry skin, if necessary, use it more often.

Recently, the feasibility of powders has been discussed by pediatricians because of the high probability of inhalation by the baby ⁹ . In addition, the powder collects deep in the folds, not providing reliable protection for the entire surface of the skin. Increasingly, it is recommended to replace powders with ointments that reliably protect the skin10.When using cream and powder at the same time, remember that talcum powder can absorb water from the cream, and both will not work.

Oil

Oils are often used for baby’s skin care: they moisturize and nourish it, promote wound healing. Vaseline oil or various types of vegetable oils (olive, fir, sea buckthorn) are suitable for children. The oils are boiled for 15 minutes in a water bath, then cooled to room temperature and applied to the skin11. Vaseline oil is considered to be hypoallergenic; vegetable oils may cause allergic reactions ¹² .

Oils are recommended to be applied to dry skin. If it is inflamed or a liquid (exudate) forms on its surface, the oil can slow down healing – a greasy film that hinders air exchange will prevent the secreted from evaporating. It is undesirable to use oils in case of infectious complications, since microbes and fungi multiply even more actively under the oil layer. But the oil is good for moisturizing dry skin and helps to restore it faster ¹³ .

Folk remedies

¹⁴

There are numerous traditional medicine recipes for the treatment and prevention of diaper rash:

• Infusion of bay leaves, decoctions of oak bark, string, chamomile are used for rubbing and compresses for diaper rash, added to water for bathing.They enhance the skin’s defenses and fight inflammation. Plants can be brewed individually or mixed together.
• Instead of powders, traditional medicine advises potato, corn starch or sifted flour (preferably buckwheat). Unlike cosmetics, there are definitely no additives in them – neither harmful nor useful.
• There is an opinion that it is possible to dry the skin with the help of tooth powder: it is diluted with water to a paste state, applied to the inflamed area of ​​the skin, left for 15-20 minutes, then washed off with a decoction of a string or oak bark.
• Birch buds are crushed and mixed with petroleum jelly and used to treat diaper rash.
• Plantain or fern juice is recommended to be applied fresh to inflamed skin.

In folk medicine, there are recipes with alcoholic tinctures or honey – it is better to refrain from using them so as not to get burned on the baby’s delicate skin. It is important to understand that home remedies have not been clinically tested, so their effectiveness and safety have not been studied.For example, herbs are marketed as natural and harmless, but they can cause severe allergic reactions in case of individual intolerance. Therefore, before entrusting the child’s health to traditional medicine, it is better to consult a pediatrician.

Care and Treatment

To prevent the appearance of diaper rash, you need to provide proper care for the baby’s skin. To do this, it is enough to follow a number of simple rules ¹⁵ :

• Wash the child after each stool or cleanse the skin with wet wipes without alcohol or fragrances ¹⁶ ;
• After water procedures, gently blot the skin with paper towels or cotton cloth, but do not rub, so as not to damage it;
• Arrange air baths – they increase the protective properties of the skin and help fight microbes that “prefer” a warm and humid environment;
• Change diapers at least every 2-3 hours during the day and once at night, so that ammonia excreted in the urine and other products that cause irritation and inflammation do not affect the skin;
• So that the skin breathes and does not suffer from friction, it is better to choose clothes made from natural fabrics with seams outward;
• Apply a thick layer of barrier ointment with each diaper change – they prevent contact with feces and urine, and further reduce the friction of the skin from the diaper and clothing.

Treatment of diaper rash at the initial stages includes careful skin care and the obligatory use of special ointments that create a stable protective layer on the surface of the damaged area, penetrate much deeper into the skin and restore it better. For drying, a decoction of oak bark, string, chamomile is added to the bathing water, or a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) is used. Alcohol disinfectant solutions are strictly prohibited for infants ¹⁷ .

With proper care and use of a medicinal ointment, diaper rash can be removed in a few days. For a recommendation on the correct remedy, you can consult a doctor.If there are no positive changes within 2-3 days, then a doctor must be consulted in order to exclude other diseases or infectious complications ¹⁸ .

When an infection joins, specific therapy against the pathogen is required: with bacterial complications – antibiotics, with fungal complications – antifungal agents (antimycotics).They are usually used in the form of ointments, only in severe cases pills or injections are prescribed. Purulent elements are additionally treated with antiseptics without alcohol in the composition. How to treat complicated diaper rash, the doctor will say after the examination and the necessary examination19. After completing the treatment of complications with antibiotics and antimycotics, you can return to using Bepanten ointment again to speed up healing and thereby prevent the resumption of the inflammatory process.

How to treat seborrheic dermatitis

PM-RU-FENIV-20-00014

1.Rodionov A.N., Zaslavsky D.V., Sydikov A.A. Eczematous (spongiotic) dermatoses. Illustrated guide for doctors // St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 2018 .– 200 p.

2. Kovalev D.V., Mokronosova M.A., Prokofieva T.I. et al. Secrets of satin skin, 2001 // Series “Do not hurt!”, IJ “Health”, p. 68.

3. Small Medical Encyclopedia in 6 volumes edited by V.I. Pokrovsky, publishing house “Soviet Encyclopedia”, 1991 // t.5, p. 328.

4. DV Kovalev, MA Mokronosova, TI Prokofieva, SV Sharapov. et al. Attack on allergies // Series “Do not hurt!”, IJ “Health”, 2003, pp. 69–70.

5. Instructions for medical use of the drug FeniVate Cream P N012556 / 01 from 15.07.2009. Instructions for medical use of the drug FeniVate Ointment P N012556 / 02 dated 16.07.2009.

6. Symptom of pruritus in the practice of the first contact doctor, Consilium medicum, 2015.http://con-med.ru/magazines/physician/physician-03-2015/simptom_kozhnogo_zuda_v_praktike_vracha_pervogo_kontakta/

7. GKS of the latest generation, B. Brazzini, N. Pimpinelli. New and Established Topical Corticosteroids in Dermatology Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Use. Am J Clin Dermatol 2002;

16. Rodionov A.N., Zaslavsky D.V., Sydikov A.A. Eczematous (spongiotic) dermatoses. Illustrated guide for doctors // St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 2018.- 200 p.

17. Symptom of pruritus in the practice of the doctor of first contact, Consilium medicum journal, 2015. http://con-med.ru/magazines/physician/physician-03-2015/simptom_kozhnogo_zuda_v_praktike_vracha_pervogo_kontakta/

19. Small medical encyclopedia edited by V.I. Pokrovsky, publishing house “Soviet Encyclopedia”, 1991 // vol. 2, pp. 440–441.

21. Andrienko N.I. How to moisturize your skin in winter with pharmaceutical products and why it is important.// “New pharmacy”, No. 2, 2020, p. 136-144.

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