Not All Diaper Rash Is The
Same
It is important to determine what
type of rash it is. This is very important in the treatment of the rash and the
formulation of the ointment or salve as we call it. This being said here are
some herbal preparations that are useful for both a non-yeast and a yeast diaper
rash.
Non-Yeast Rash
All babies get diaper rash
at one time or another there are many reasons your baby might have a case of
diaper rash. These include chaffing, sensitivity, allergies to food, cleaning
products, synthetic disposable diapers, perfumes in diapers, and wetness are
among the most common reasons. This type of rash responds well to two herbs,
calendula
and chickweed
particularly well. Calendula will reduce the inflammation, tighten the tissues
and disinfect the rash. It is highly effective for general inflammation of the
skin. Chickweed is also soothing for irritated skin and may be applied 1-2
daily. Listed below are recipes for calendula and chickweed based diaper rash
treatment.
Things You'll Need
1/4 cup dried
Chickweed
flowers
1/8 cup dried
Calendula
flowers
1/8 cup dried
Comfrey
leaves
1/8 cup dried
Plantain
leaves
1 cup
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/6 cup
Beeswax, melted
10 drops
Benzoin
tincture (optional) or Tea
Tree oil
6 x 50ml
Amber glass salve jars
Directions
Place herbs in a double boiler. Cover with oil, making sure all the herbs are
completely submerged. Cook over boiling water at a low simmer for about 45
minutes. Do not bring oil to a boil or the infusion will be destroyed. Strain
herbs using a large strainer lined with unbleached cheesecloth or muslin and
squeeze all oil out of herbs. Return oil to the pot and add beeswax (use 100%
pure beeswax only...it should be golden to golden green and not white)! Stir in
benzoin tincture if needed (benzoin tincture is a natural preservative that
should be used if you intend to keep the salve outside of the fridge such as in
your car or at the office, etc.). Without the benzoin the salve will keep
refrigerated for about a year. Pour salve carefully and quickly before it
thickens into clean and sterilized jars, and label with ingredients and date.
Keep jar caps screwed on tightly and store in a cool, dark place.
Note: use only stainless steel,
glass or enamel pots and utensils.
* It is very important to buy quality herbs that have been dried and stored
properly. . . herbs that have retained their signature smell and color...or the
salve will not work!
Yeast Rash
If a diaper rash persists
after you have ruled out the above reasons it may be caused by yeast. A yeast
rash can be especially painful and is indicative of a weakened immune system.
While bad cases should be dealt with at your health care professionals office,
there are some things you can do at home to naturally treat and prevent yeast
overgrowth. This type of rash is very persistent and has a "bumpy" appearance.
If not treated properly this can become raw or open sores. If your baby appears
to have a yeast rash try cutting sugar out of his/her diet (out of mommy's if
she is breast feeding). It can help allot! You can Also use
Grapefruit Seed Extract
and Tea Tree oil
to treat the rash. If the rash does not respond to your best efforts to treat it
by keeping the area dry and using a
Natural Diaper Rash Salve You might want
to seek the help of a health care professional. Listed Below is a plan to treat
a yeast diaper rash.
Things You’ll Need:
- Grapefruit Seed Extract or
Tea Tree Oil
- Plain Yogurt
- Vinegar
- Acidophilus (probiotic)
Step 1. Start with a clean slate.
Anything that has touched the rash can hold yeast for days and must be treated.
Wash everything with 10 to 20 drops of Tea Tree oil or Grapefruit Seed Extract.
After washing add vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washer.
Step 2. Mix 10 drops of Tea Tree
oil or Grapefruit Seed Extract with 2 ounces of water and keep it in a covered
container near your diaper changing area. Spray or wipe the solution after every
change and allow it to air dry. Try using plain yogurt as a diaper cream
afterward. Some people get great results with it.
Step 3. You may consider using
cloth wipes or baby wash cloths as wipes until the rash is gone since yeast can
feed off of disposable wipe solutions. Make sure to wash them in hot water with
Tea Tree oil or Grapefruit Seed Extract.
Step 4. Give the baby a probiotic
three times a day. Empty the capsule, dip a wet finger into the power and let
the baby eat it off your finger. He/she should not give you a problem it
actually tastes kind of sweet. Or, you can buy probiotics marketed for babies
and follow the directions on the box.
Step 5. Most importantly, follow
this routine for two weeks even if the rash clears up before then. If you stop
too early you risk reinfection.
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