Home Remedies for Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a common concern for parents, often caused by prolonged moisture, friction, or sensitivity to products. Fortunately, there are effective home remedies for diaper rash that can help soothe irritation and promote healing without harsh chemicals. Key remedies include:

• Breast milk. Contains natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation and soothe diaper rash.

• Increased airflow. By giving your baby some diaper-free time, you allow the skin to breathe and dry out. 

• Frequent diaper changes. Keeping your baby's diaper area clean and dry helps prevent and heal diaper rash. Prolonged exposure to wet or soiled diapers can irritate your baby's sensitive skin.

These natural solutions can often be used safely at home to treat mild to moderate diaper rash. However, it’s important to monitor symptoms and consult your healthcare provider if the rash worsens or persists. In the sections below, we’ll explore each remedy in detail, how to use them, and when to seek medical advice.

Home Remedies for Diaper Rash

When your little one develops a diaper rash, it’s natural to want to find relief as quickly as possible. While many over-the-counter creams and ointments are available, some parents prefer to start with diaper rash treatment at home using safe and natural diaper rash remedies.

Apply Human Breast Milk

One of the best home remedies for diaper rash is human breast milk. It’s a readily available option that many parents trust, particularly for healing diaper rash naturally. Applying a few drops to the affected area may help soothe inflammation and reduce redness, thanks to breast milk’s natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

While clinical evidence is still emerging, many parents consider this a safe first step in diaper rash treatment at home. If the rash doesn’t improve or worsens, consult your baby’s healthcare provider to rule out more serious causes like yeast diaper rash.

Increase Airflow

Among the most supported home remedies for diaper rash is ensuring your baby’s diaper area gets plenty of airflow. Allowing the diaper area to be exposed to air helps keep the skin dry, which may be crucial in both treating and preventing diaper rash.

Diaper rash often occurs when the skin is exposed to moisture for prolonged periods. By giving your baby some diaper-free time, you allow the skin to breathe and dry out, which may help reduce the rash's severity and prevent further irritation. This home remedy is especially helpful for diaper rash from diarrhea, as frequent bowel movements can exacerbate irritation.  

This method is simple, safe, and may easily be incorporated into your baby’s daily routine to help manage and prevent diaper rash. Use a waterproof mat or towel during diaper-free time to minimize mess while encouraging skin recovery.

Change Diapers Frequently

Frequent diaper changes are a key part of any home treatment for diaper rash. Keeping your baby's diaper area clean and dry will help prevent the likelihood of diaper rash and heal existing discomfort.  Prolonged exposure to wet or soiled diapers is one of the most common causes of diaper rash, as moisture may irritate your baby’s sensitive skin.

To minimize the risk of diaper rash, it’s important to check your baby’s diaper often and change it as soon as it’s wet or soiled. Choosing Pampers can be an important step in keeping your baby comfortable and dry, thanks to their superior absorbency and gentle materials designed for sensitive skin. This can be especially important at night when long stretches of sleep might lead to extended contact with a dirty diaper. When changing diapers, clean the diaper area gently with water and allow the skin to air dry before putting on a fresh diaper. Using this method consistently may help promote faster healing if a rash does develop. 

If your baby's diaper rash is partly caused by friction from a tight-fitting diaper, it's possible that your little one is wearing the wrong size. Finding the right fit can help reduce friction and keep your baby comfortable throughout the day. To ensure your baby's diaper fits properly, you can use our My Perfect Fit tool below.

How to Help Treat and Relieve Diaper Rash

As mentioned earlier, keeping the diaper area clean and dry is a great way to treat diaper rash. In addition to these methods, here are a few more steps you can take to help your baby’s skin recover:

• Change diapers frequently. Keeping your baby’s diaper area as dry as possible is crucial. Check diapers often and change them as soon as they’re wet or soiled. This helps prevent further irritation and gives the skin a chance to heal. Learn how often to change your little one’s diaper in our informative article.

• Clean gently. When changing diapers, gently clean your baby’s diaper area with warm water or a mild, fragrance-free baby wipe. Avoid rubbing the skin, as this may cause additional irritation. Pat the area dry with a soft towel or allow it to air dry naturally.

• Apply a barrier cream. Using a diaper rash cream or ointment that contains zinc oxide or petroleum jelly may create a protective barrier on the skin, shielding it from moisture. Apply a thick layer of the cream at each diaper change to help protect the skin while it heals. 

As a parent dealing with diaper rash, it’s common to wonder how to cure diaper rash fast or how to get rid of diaper rash in 24 hours, especially if your baby is uncomfortable. Remember, with patience and gentle care, diaper rash generally clears up within a few days. If you’ve tried the treatment options mentioned above and your baby’s rash is still there after a few days or it has worsened, contact their healthcare provider.

Home Treatments to Avoid for Diaper Rash

While many home remedies for diaper rash may be effective, some treatments should be approached with caution or avoided altogether. Not all remedies are suitable for every baby, and some might even worsen the condition. The following are a few home treatments for diaper rash that should be avoided or used with care.

Baking Soda

While some parents try a baking soda bath for diaper rash due to its drying and soothing reputation, it's not generally recommended by pediatric experts. Baking soda may disrupt your baby’s natural skin pH, and, in some cases, baking soda can “burn” diaper rash or cause stinging, especially if the skin is broken. While some anecdotal reports claim baking soda helps diaper rash, medical sources like the Cleveland Clinic and AAP advise against using harsh or highly alkaline substances on an infant’s delicate skin.

Witch Hazel & Apple Cider Vinegar

You may come across advice online promoting apple cider vinegar for diaper rash, either diluted or as a wipe, along with remedies like witch hazel. However, both substances are acidic and may be too harsh for sensitive baby skin. According to pediatricians, using acidic treatments can worsen irritation, disrupt healing, and increase the risk of infection. These remedies are not recommended by organizations like the AAP or Mayo Clinic.

Aloe Vera

Is aloe vera good for diaper rash? Pure aloe vera gel, directly from the plant, may have some soothing benefits and is often praised for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, many commercial products labeled as aloe vera for diaper rash contain additives like alcohol, fragrances, or preservatives, which can irritate or worsen the rash. If you choose to try this remedy, ensure the aloe vera is 100% pure and always check with your baby’s healthcare provider first.

Cornstarch

Although cornstarch for diaper rash is a common folk remedy, it's generally not recommended by pediatric dermatologists. While cornstarch may absorb moisture, it can also promote the growth of Candida albicans—the yeast that causes yeast diaper rash—especially in warm, moist environments like diapers. So, while some may believe cornstarch helps diaper rash, medical experts caution against it, especially if yeast is suspected.

Essential Oils

Some natural health sites suggest using essential oils for diaper rash, such as tea tree oil. However, essential oils can be potent irritants, especially for infants. Undiluted oils like tea tree oil for diaper rash can cause skin burns or allergic reactions, and even diluted versions are not typically recommended by pediatricians. There's insufficient medical evidence to support their safety or efficacy for treating diaper rash, and many healthcare providers urge caution.

Baby Powder

Traditional diaper rash powder containing talc or cornstarch was once a nursery staple, but today it’s largely discouraged. The AAP and CDC warn against baby powder use due to the risk of respiratory irritation if the powder is inhaled. While some may ask, “Does baby powder help with diaper rash?” the risks often outweigh the benefits. Frequent diaper changes and allowing the skin to breathe are safer and more effective options to reduce moisture on the skin.

How Can Pampers Help Prevent Diaper Rash?

Keeping your baby’s skin clean, dry, and comfortable is key to preventing diaper rash, and Pampers is designed to support just that. From pH-balanced wipes to super-absorbent diapers, Pampers offers gentle yet effective protection to help keep your little one’s skin healthy.

Pampers diapers and wipes are specially developed to help maintain a healthy pH balance, protecting against irritation caused by prolonged exposure to moisture or mess. Pampers Swaddlers, for example, feature a BreatheFree Liner, LockAway Channels, and Dual Leak-Guard Barriers that work together to wick away wetness, allow airflow, and reduce friction—all common triggers of diaper rash.

Choosing the right size diaper is also essential. A properly fitting diaper helps prevent leaks and reduces chafing. Pampers Swaddlers have soft, stretchy sides that move with your baby and provide a secure yet gentle fit—ideal for both daily use and while your baby is recovering from diaper rash.

Pair these with alcohol- and fragrance-free Pampers wipes, like Pampers Sensitive, which gently clean while helping maintain a skin-friendly pH, and you’ve got a simple, effective way to support your baby’s skin health.

Explore Pampers products to help keep your baby’s bottom clean, dry, and rash-free.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

While most diaper rashes may be treated at home, there are times when you should seek medical advice:

• Rash persists or worsens. If the rash doesn’t improve after a few days or gets worse, consult a healthcare provider.

• Severe rash. If the rash has blisters, open sores, or pus-filled bumps, it could indicate a bacterial infection that needs medical treatment.

• Fever or unusual behavior. If your baby develops a fever or seems unusually fussy or lethargic, seek medical advice.

• Yeast infection. Bright red rashes with small bumps may indicate a yeast diaper rash, requiring antifungal treatment.

Home remedies for a bad diaper rash are not recommended and you should always consult with your baby’s health care provider. Remember, timely intervention may ensure your baby gets the appropriate care and relief.

The Bottom Line

Diaper rashes are common, but they may often be treated effectively with simple home remedies. Keeping the diaper area clean, dry, and covered with barrier creams is an important step in treating the rash. Natural remedies for a diaper rash, like giving the skin some time to air out, may also provide relief. However, it’s important to approach any remedy cautiously and consult a healthcare provider if the rash doesn’t improve.

Be sure to check out our Diaper Bag Checklist to stay prepared when you're on the go.

For added convenience, the Pampers Rewards app offers rewards on all your Pampers purchases, helping you care for your baby. 

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}