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Choosing and
Using Diaper Rash Ointments and Creams
I still believe that diaper rash is
not normal and I encourage caregivers to determine the reason behind
the rash. But when you feel you need to use a rash cream,
please utilize the information below in regards to how to protect
your diapers and how to choose a cloth diaper friendly ointment or
cream.
Liners:
Liners are used to between the baby treated with a rash cream and
the diaper in an effort to protect the diaper from the negative
water repelling properties of the diaper rash ointment or
cream. People use flushable liners, fleece liners, cloth
wipes, and even cut up old t-shirts. If you plan to re-use
your liners you will want to wash them thoroughly and separate
from your diapers. Likewise, you will also want to wash any wipes
used to clean off the ointment or cream with your liners: separate
from your diapers. Realize that some flushable liners may not
protect a diaper well enough from certain creams.
Stripping:
If you would rather not use diaper liners, then choose a
non-staining diaper rash cream and plan to strip your diapers after
the bout of diaper rash to ensure all residue from the cream is
removed. Stripping diapers from rash cream is not an easy task and
is much harder with a HE machine and much harder for synthetic
fibers like what you find in most pocket diapers. Directions for stripping are here.
Natural Fibers: diapers like
prefolds wouldn't always require protection but protection is still
preferred. You may still need to strip these diapers depending on
the product used. Make sure the diapers are washed clean and rinsed
thoroughly.
Home
Remedies for Diaper Rash:
Home remedies for
diaper rash include the application of breast milk, olive oil, coconut
oil, lanoline (Lansinoh: pure
lanoline), corn starch, and vegetable oil or shortening. Be
selective about using cornstarch or breastmilk as they are known to make a yeast
infection worse. Also, lanoline is a product that may be an
allergen.
A soak in warm
baking soda water or salt water is another soothing alternative, this is especially helpful
if irritation is caused from baby's stools.
Personally, the
olive oil has worked wonderfully for us in the rare instances when
our baby had dry red skin in the diaper area. We have also recently used
lanoline for chapped lips and surrounding mouth area with great
results. With our newest baby we have learned more about
virgin coconut oil and its yeast fighting1 attribute.
1Nature’s
Candida Cure: Coconut Oil Solves Yeast Problems, www.NaturalNews.com
Diaper Rash Creams:
A few commercially
available diaper creams may be used with cloth diapers. ALWAYS AVOID DIAPER CREAMS WITH COD LIVER OIL or
any other fish oils. Recently many cloth diaper
manufacturer's have developed diaper rash creams that are considered
safe for cloth diapers. In many cases, diaper rash creams
specifically developed for use with cloth diapers is preferred.
Note, some diaper manufacturer's specifically state not to use rash
creams when using their brand of diapers. Please read and
follow individual manufacturers directives when applicable.
| Rating |
Brand |
Notes |
Ingredients |
 |
A&D Original
Ointment |
Smelly from cod liver
oil. Do not use with cloth diapers. |
Active
Ingredients:
Petrolatum 53. 4%, Lanolin 15. 5%.
Inactive Ingredients:
Cod Liver Oil (Contains Vitamin A,
Vitamin D), Fragrance, Light Mineral Oil, Microcrystalline Wax,
Paraffin. |
 |
A&D Zinc Oxide
Cream |
|
Active
Ingredients: Ointment contains:: Dimethicone 1%, Zinc Oxide 10%.
Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Benzyl
Alcohol, Coconut Oil, Cod Liver Oil (contains vitamin a &
vitamin d), Fragrance, Glyceryl Oleate, Light Mineral Oil,
Ozokerite, Paraffin, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Synthetic
Beeswax, Water. |
 |
Angel
Baby Bottom Balm |
Created for use with
cloth diapers. |
Olea europaea (organic
olive) oil, Calendula officinalis (organic calendula) extract,
Hypericum perforatum (organic St. John's wort) extract,
Stellaria media (organic chickweed) extract, Plantago major
(organic plantain extract), Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter,
Euphorbia antisyphilitica (candelilla), Simmondsia chinensis
(organic jojoba) oil, proprietary blend of Lavandula
angustifolia (lavender) oil, Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree)
oil and Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) oil. |
|
Aquaphor Baby Healing
Ointment |
Used often with
dry skin. Used also as a 50/50 mixture with Maalox.
Aquaphor may make a yeast rash worse. |
Active
Ingredients: Petrolatum.
Inactive Ingredients: Mineral Oil, Ceresin, Lanolin Alcohol,
Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol. |
 |
Aveeno |
Combination of Zinc
oxide to keep diaper area dry and colloidal oatmeal to relieve
the dry skin. (In the three stars category this is probably
the best choice for your diapers) |
Active
Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 13%.
Inactive
Ingredients: Avena Sativa (oat) Kernal Extract,
Beeswax, Benzoic Acid, Dimethicone, Epilobium Angustifolium
Flower/leaf/stem Extract, Glycerin, Methylparaben,
Microcrystalline Wax, Mineral Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening
Primrose) seed Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylparaben,
Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Synthetic Beeswax, Water.
|
|
Baby Bottom Better |
Designed as a moisture
barrier and is suitable when dealing with a yeast rash |
|
|
Balmex Zinc Oxide |
Zinc oxide is a drying
agent so this would not be the choice for dealing with dry skin.
Seems to work best from diaper rash caused by babies sitting in
stools. Challenging to clean off between each diaper change. |
Active
Ingredients: Zinc
Oxide 11. 3% (Skin Protectant).
Inactive Ingredients: Aloe
Vera Gel, Balsam (Specially Purified Balsam Peru), Beeswax,
Benzoic Acid, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Mineral Oil,
Propylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Borate, Tocopheryl
(Vitamin E Acetate). |
|
Balmex Ointment |
Designed for use as a
wetness barrier. |
Active
Ingredients: White
Petrolatum 51%.
Inactive Ingredients: Cyclomethicone,
Dimethicone, Mineral Oil, Polyethylene, Silica. |
|
Baby Bees Diaper Rash
Ointment |
Has strong smell. May
Stain, stains tend to come out with time. Used
successfully with rashes caused from acidic foods. Can cause
build-up on pocket diapers. |
Zinc Oxide, Sweet
Almond Oil, Beeswax, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Lavender Oil,
Vitamin A, Extracts of Rosemary, Lavender, Calendula, Chamomile,
Rose Petal and Comfrey Root. |
|
Boudreaux's Butt
Paste* |
Staining. Strong
smell. Use only with a disposable liner. Can cause really bad
staining. |
Active
Ingredients: Zinc
Oxide 16%.
Inactive
Ingredients: Peruvian
Balsam, Boric Acid, Castor Oil, Mineral Oil, White Wax,
Petrolatum. |
|
California Baby |
Does not stain. Seems
suitable for light rash care. |
Ultra-purified
lanolin, vitamin-grade zinc (12%) and vitamin E, in addition to
organic tea tree and aloe vera, proprietary Calming aromatherapy
blend which includes French lavender, known for its soothing,
antibacterial, and healing properties |
|
CJ's
BUTTer |
For diaper rash, eczema,
and dry skin |
Email cj@cjsewingroom.com
for ingredients if desired. |
|
Claymazing
Powder |
Good to use with a
rash caused by wetness. |
Natural blend of
Kaolin Clay and Pascalite Clay |
|
Desitin Ointment |
Smelly from cod liver
oil. Do not use with cloth diapers unless you want your baby to
smell like a fish market. |
Active
Ingredients: Zinc
Oxide (40%) (Skin Portectant).
Inactive Ingredients: BHA,
Cod Liver Oil, Fragrance, Lanolin, Methylparaben, Petrolatum,
Talc, Water. |
|
Desitin Creamy |
Zinc oxide is a drying
agent so this would not be the choice for dealing with dry
skin. Takes time to wash out of cloth but will with
effort. |
Active
Ingredients: Zinc
Oxide 10%.
Inactive Ingredients: Aloe
Barbadensis Gel, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Fragrance,
Methylparaben, Microcrystalline Wax, Mineral Oil, Propylparaben,
Purified Water, Sodium Borate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Vitamin E,
White Petrolatum, White Wax. |
|
Grandma El's |
From the makers of
Happy Heiny's Diapers marketed as safe for cloth diapers.
Some people have had repellency issues after repeated usage and
some have had light staining. Others have not trouble at all
with cloth. |
Natural Vitamin E - an
anti-oxidant, derived from Wheat Germ Oil, Balsam of Peru
natural derivatives - a plant of Peru, known as a healing
agent. Salicylic Acid - Derived from Willow Bark and
Promotes new skin growth. Yellow Petrolatum - A
moisture barrier derived from natural mineral oil. Anhydrous
Lanolin - Insecticide-Free, Allergy-Free for Protection and
healing. |
|
Lansinoh Diaper Rash
Ointment |
May cause build up on
diapers (all types). Use with a disposable liner. Great to
use for dry skin and as a barrier from moisture. |
Lanolin,
Zinc Oxide and Dimethicone |
|
Magic Stick |
Used for minor rashes
and as a protective layer from wetness. |
Vitis vinifera (Grapeseed)
Oil, Apis mellifera (Beeswax), Limmnanthes alba (Meadowfoam)
Oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil, Butyrospermun
parkii (Shea) Oil, Rosa mosqueta (Organic Rosehip) and a
proprietary blend of essential oils. |
|
Northern
Essence Diaper Salve |
Petroleum free
moisture barrier. Considered safe for cloth diapers. |
Healing Calendula
Infused Oil, Therapeutic Emu oil and natural un~refined Shea
& Cocoa Butters. |
|
Northern
Essence
Better
Butter Cream |
This diaper cream was
developed for use with a yeast infection. |
|
|
Penaten |
May cause build up on
diapers (all types). Has added
fragrance. |
Petrolatum, Zinc
Oxide, Lanolin, Talc, Aqua, Panthenol, Hamamelis Virginiana
Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Allantoin, Sorbitan
Sesquioleate, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Paraffinum Liqidum,
Glycine Soja Oil, Alcohol, Parfum, Cl 75130 |
|
Sudocrem |
Zinc oxide is a drying
agent so this would not be the choice for dealing with dry skin.
May not be available in the US. |
Active
Ingredients: Zinc
Oxide Ph.Eur. 15.25% Benzyl Alcohol B.P. 0.39% Benzyl Benzoate
B.P. 1.01% Benzyl Cinnamate 0.15% Lanolin (Hypo-Allergenic)
4%(W/W)
Inactive
Ingredients: Purified Water Liquid Paraffin Paraffin Wax Beeswax
Microcrystalline Wax Sodium Benzoate Linalyl Acetate Propylene
Glycol Citric Acid Butylated Hydroxyanisole Sorbitan
Sesquiloleate Lavender Fragrance
|
|
Triple Paste |
Designed
to relieve raw, irritated skin and create a barrier between
baby's skin and the diaper.
Fragrance-free. Hypoallergenic.
I would avoid use if dealing with a yeast infection. |
Active
Ingredients: Zinc
Oxide 11. 6%.
Inactive Ingredients: White
Petrolatum; Corn Starch; Anhydrous Lanolin; Stearyl Alcohol;
White Beeswax; Cholesterol; Polysorbate 80. |
|
Weleda Calendula
Diaper Care |
Designed as a wetness
protection barrier. |
Ingredients (INCI):
Beeswax, Benzyl Benzoate*, Benzyl Salicylate*, Calendula,
Chamomile, Geraniol*, Glyceryl Linoleate, Hectorite, Lanolin,
Limonene*, Linalool*, Sweet Almond, Sesame, Water, Zinc Oxide.
* from natural essential oils |
Please consider all
the ingredients present in the diaper cream you are evaluating and make
sure that you are comfortable with the product being in direct contact
with your baby's skin. Ingredients that would personally concern me
would be petroleum based products, and fragrances. For more
information on evaluating ingredients visit the Skin
Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.
Also, consider
avoiding diaper rash creams whose containers are made with aluminum.
OTHER
LINKS:
Diaper
creams in relation to diaper rash severity by Dr. Sears
Diaper
rash creams in the Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database
Learn
more about the chemicals in diaper creams and what to avoid
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