Cream and ointment for diaper rash for newborns: which remedy for diaper rash should you choose?

Children's skin is different from adult skin: it is thinner and not as resistant to external influences, so it requires special care. But even if you care for your baby’s skin correctly, diaper rash may appear on it - areas of inflammation in areas of contact with moisture and friction with diapers or diapers. To prevent the appearance of diaper rash or speed up its healing, avoiding infectious complications, special means are required1.

No. 1 – Organic Baby Nappy Cream

Price: 1,400 rubles

The best cream to combat diaper rash in children. It contains Inca-Inchi and Amazonian seed oils, thanks to which the product can reduce the intensity of redness and eliminate discomfort after the first use. At the same time, it has a high-quality regenerating effect. In terms of the latter, the cream has no equal on the market. There are no contraindications for use; the hypoallergenic composition allows the product to be applied even to sensitive skin.

Organic Baby Nappy Cream for diaper rash
The cream has a pleasant smell, and thanks to the dispenser it is easy to squeeze out of the package. The disadvantages are the high price, uneconomical consumption (the volume of the jar is only 50 ml), as well as the lack of goods of the Italian brand in Russian retail.

Diaper rash ointment

Ointments contain active ingredients that suppress inflammation and restore 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 fatty and have a dense consistency, so they provide long-term contact with the active ingredient and reduce skin friction with a diaper or diaper. Thanks to these properties, using ointments can both cure diaper rash and prevent its occurrence2.

An example of a reliable baby ointment for diaper rash is Bepanten ointment, which contains provitamin B5 and lanolin in high concentration3. Provitamin B5, penetrating into the deep layers of the skin, quickly turns into vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). It stimulates cell division, ensuring rapid healing of damage and fighting inflammation, and strengthens collagen fibers - the main 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, unlike petroleum jelly, is its ability to create a breathable layer that does not interfere with air exchange, which is extremely important for the baby’s incompletely formed skin. The natural hypoallergenic composition with a proven high safety profile allows Bepanten ointment to be used for the treatment of diaper rash even in newborns and premature babies6.

No. 10 – “Our Mom” Diaper cream

Price: 124 rubles

A good solution from the entry-level price segment. The back of the tube contains all the necessary information: contraindications, method of use, composition and expiration date. The lid is tight, does not open spontaneously, and prevents the contents from leaking out. The composition here is excellent - only two components are not approved by ecoholics, everything else is natural products (including vitamins E and A, various oils, useful extracts.

The consistency of the cream is moderately fatty and dense, it does not slide, does not leave a sticky film and is easily distributed. It is absorbed quickly enough, leaving a pleasant sensation on the skin without any discomfort, there are no white marks. The aroma is pleasant and interesting, unobtrusive notes of medicinal herbs are felt. The consumption is very economical; there is no need to squeeze out a lot of cream. There are no significant flaws.

“Our Mom” Diaper cream

Baby diaper rash cream

Baby diaper rash creams differ from ointments in having a lighter texture, as 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 only be purchased in pharmacies.

Diaper rash creams for babies moisturize the skin, making it more resistant to the irritating effects of moisture and ammonia found 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 ointment7.

No. 2 – Urtekram Unscented diaper cream

Price: 715 rubles

The creation of a foreign company with a natural composition without harmful chemical additives. If your baby has sensitive skin that is prone to allergies and rashes, pay attention to this product first. The composition contains hypoallergenic elements, vitamin E, aloe vera and zinc. Thanks to the latter, the cream effectively copes with diaper rash of any stage. It can also be used for preventive purposes.

The smell of the product is specific and not everyone will like it. But the consumption is economical, which makes the high cost not such a significant drawback. But it is very difficult to find it in Russian pharmacies. You will almost certainly have to order it from the Internet.

Urtekram Unscented diaper cream

Powder8

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

Recently, the advisability of powders has been discussed by pediatricians due to the high probability of their inhalation by the baby9. In addition, the powder collects deep in the folds, not providing reliable protection for the entire surface of the skin. It is increasingly recommended to replace powders with ointments that reliably protect the skin10. When using cream and powder at the same time, be aware that the talc may absorb water from the cream, and both products will not work.

Desitin cream

Creates a protective layer, preventing the irritating effects of urine and sweat during diaper rash. Contains zinc oxide, which dries the skin, cod liver oil, lanolin and petroleum jelly, which form a protective film. The barrier retains its effect for several hours, which makes it convenient for application before a longer night's sleep. Helps with minor skin damage, eczema, burns.

The product effectively relieves inflammation, prevents the further development of diaper rash, the result is noticeable within a few hours. Used only for treatment, not suitable for prevention.

It has a thick consistency, has a faint fishy smell, and comes in the form of a cream and ointment, which is thicker and works more effectively for severe forms of diaper rash. Pediatricians recommend using the ointment with caution for children under one year of age, as it can dry out the skin.

Oil

Oils are often used to care for baby’s skin: they moisturize and nourish it, and 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 hypoallergenic; allergic reactions to vegetable oils are possible12.

Oils are recommended to be applied to dry skin. If it is inflamed or liquid (exudate) forms on its surface, then the oil can slow down healing - a fatty film that delays air exchange will prevent the discharge from evaporating. It is undesirable to use oils for infectious complications, since microbes and fungi under the oil layer multiply even more actively. But the oil is good for moisturizing dry skin and helps restore it faster13.

How to use correctly

Remove your child's dirty diaper or unswaddle him. Wash your skin thoroughly with warm water and baby soap. Some parents prefer using wet wipes, but this method will not wash away all dirt from the surface of the skin.
Next, the skin should dry, it should also be dried with a towel. During this period, you can arrange air baths for the child. Remember, the cream is not recommended to be applied to wet skin.
The product should be applied in small quantities to damaged areas. Movements should be light and stroking.

Folk remedies14

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, and added to bathing water. They increase the protective properties of the skin and fight inflammation. The plants can be brewed separately or mixed together.
Instead of powders, traditional medicine recommends potato, corn starch or sifted flour (preferably buckwheat). Unlike cosmetics, they definitely do not contain any additives - neither harmful nor beneficial.
There is an opinion that you can dry the skin using tooth powder: it is diluted with water to a paste, applied to the inflamed area of the skin, left for 15-20 minutes, then washed off with a decoction of string or oak bark.
Birch buds are crushed and mixed with petroleum jelly and used to treat diaper rash.
It is recommended to apply plantain or fern juice fresh to inflamed skin.

In folk medicine, there are recipes with alcohol tinctures or honey - it is better to refrain from using them so as not to get a burn 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 positioned as natural and harmless, but they can cause severe allergic reactions if individual intolerance occurs. Therefore, before entrusting your child’s health to traditional medicine, it is better to consult a pediatrician.

Causes of diaper rash

As follows from the very definition of “diaper rash,” the cause of this disease lies in skin irritation from various infections. The folds of the skin, where it is always warm and humid, create ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria. The bacteria themselves enter the skin along with sweat and oily skin secretions. Urine, discharge from fistulas and hemorrhoidal cones, when they come into contact with healthy skin, begin to actively multiply, and we observe a picture of redness, peeling, and erosion of the skin surface. In hot weather, diaper rash occurs more often than usual. Obese people with a large number of fat folds are especially susceptible to this disease. In infants, diaper rash occurs due to lack of proper care and hygiene. It happens that diaper rash occurs due to an allergic reaction to some food or cosmetic product. To accurately identify the cause of allergic diaper rash, an examination by specialists will be required.

Care and treatment

To prevent diaper rash, you need to ensure proper skin care for your baby. To do this, it is enough to follow a number of simple rules15:

Wash the child after each bowel movement or clean the skin with wet wipes without alcohol or fragrances16;
After water procedures, gently pat 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 the skin is not exposed to ammonia excreted in the urine and other products that cause irritation and inflammation;
To ensure that the skin breathes and does not suffer from friction, it is better to choose clothes made from natural fabrics with seams facing outwards;
Apply barrier ointments in a thick layer at each diaper change - they prevent contact with feces and urine, and further reduce skin friction with the diaper and clothing.

Treatment of diaper rash in the initial stages includes careful skin care and the mandatory use of special ointments that create a durable protective layer on the surface of the damaged area, penetrate much deeper into the skin and restore it better. To dry, add a decoction of oak bark, string, chamomile to the bathing water, or use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Alcohol disinfectant solutions are strictly prohibited for infants17.

With proper care and use of medicinal ointment, diaper rash can be removed in a few days. You can consult a doctor for a recommendation on the correct remedy. If there are no positive changes within 2-3 days, then you should definitely consult a doctor to rule out other diseases or infectious complications18.

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

Mustela

The cream fights symptoms and eliminates the causes of diaper rash. Contains caprylyl glycol, which has an antimicrobial effect and acts as a mild preservative. Lupine extract in the cream activates metabolic processes at the cellular level and fights microbes. Vitamin F promotes cell renewal, D-panthenol heals the skin, and zinc oxide has a drying effect.

Convenient to apply under a diaper, does not form a greasy film on the skin, does not roll off, is quickly absorbed, and odorless. May be difficult to wash off when applying a thick layer. The result is noticeable after a few hours - the redness of irritated skin decreases. It is effective for the treatment of diaper rash; it is not recommended to use it for prevention.

Treatment of diaper rash

Miliaria and diaper rash also occur in adults.
If the disease has just begun, you should not use medications. It is enough to perform hygiene procedures more often - take a shower more often, change your underwear more often, and after washing, dry your body thoroughly with a towel. If areas of the baby's skin are red, you need to take better care of it, do not keep him in wet diapers, bathe the baby every evening and after bowel movements, and dry the skin well with warm air from a hairdryer, which should not be brought too close. To prevent the development of the disease, you need to lubricate the most delicate areas of the skin with baby cream.

If these measures did not help achieve a positive result, the redness may be of an allergic nature. Try buying diapers and pampers from another company. Replace the washing powder you use with another hypoallergenic one.

In the case when parents do not notice the onset of the disease in time, and diaper rash progresses to the next stage, treatment is required. Without wasting time, go to a dermatologist, and at the same time visit an allergist. To determine the causes of skin inflammation, the doctor will prescribe tests that will reveal its nature and help in prescribing the necessary medications.

Do not trust the advice of friends and neighbors. You should not search for your baby’s diagnosis on the Internet. All children are different, all have their own causes of illness. By following other people's advice, you can greatly harm your baby. Only a doctor can prescribe the correct treatment and recognize prickly heat and diaper rash.

How to choose a quality cream?

You can purchase a similar product for newborns at any children's store or pharmacy. The assortment is quite large

Therefore, you need to know what to look for so as not to regret the purchase

Compound. It definitely needs to be studied; the cream should not contain components harmful to children.
Safety. Ointment in a tube is more practical to use than in a glass container.
Economical. The consumption of such funds is significant, since they are used several times a day. It is better to give preference to large packages.

The composition must contain special components that will make the cream effective

It is also important that they are harmless

These active ingredients are the most common.

Zinc.

It dries out, so it is not suitable for babies with dry skin. It copes well with diaper rash and inflammation, and is used for treatment and prevention. Zinc ointment has a white color and a viscous consistency.

Panthenol.

Does not cause allergies in newborns, and is excellent for diaper rash. It also heals wounds well.

Allainton.

It is best suited for prevention, as it creates a protective film on the skin of children, which protects against moisture. In this case, air penetrates freely.

Often the products contain both panthenol and allainton. This composition allows you to use the cream for prevention and treatment if red spots appear.

It is better to give preference to an inexpensive drug with natural ingredients rather than an advertised one that contains harmful substances - for example, parabens or paraffin. The presence of mineral oil and perfumes is also undesirable. But plant extracts and vitamins help soften the skin, relieve itching, and remove diaper rash

You just need to remember to be careful when using them. Even products made from nature's gifts can in rare cases cause allergies in children

Therefore, you first need to conduct a test: apply the ointment to the crook of the child’s elbow. If after an hour there is no reaction, then you can safely continue to use the product.

It is also worth paying attention to whether the cream has a dermatological test mark. Well-known cosmetic brands usually take great care about the safety of their products

And you definitely need to look at the expiration date. If it has expired, then the product can no longer be used for newborns.

Varieties

Cosmetics are designed to solve specific skin problems for the baby. They can be divided into the following categories:

Moisturizing creams: thanks to vegetable oils, glycerin, as well as vitamins A and E, they help fight dryness, restore the lipid balance of the skin and soften the skin after water treatments.

Sunscreens: include active UV filters. They prevent the appearance of burns on children's skin, which is practically unable to respond to aggressive solar radiation with a tan. Such creams have a fairly dense texture - they should be applied 20-30 minutes before going outside to all exposed areas of the body and repeat the procedure after every hour of exposure to the sun.

Diaper rash remedies: fight inflammation that appears in the folds of the baby’s skin: on the legs, neck and groin. Prevents the appearance of diaper dermatitis, chafing, ulcers and pustules, which cause severe discomfort in infants. Such products contain panthenol and various antimicrobial and wound-healing components.

Nourishing creams: contain natural valuable oils (almond, olive) and extracts of medicinal herbs. They give the skin elasticity, soothe, protect against drying out after swimming, the appearance of cracks and irritation.

Cream-cryoprotectors: provide reliable protection from the negative effects of wind and frost. The natural fats included in such products form a barrier coating, relieving the skin of the problems of excessive oxidation, drying out and manifestations of the so-called “cold allergy” - painful red spots

Such creams are relevant at temperatures below 0 °C.

Attention! Creams that protect against frost should be applied especially evenly no later than 20-30 minutes before going outside, after warming them up in your fingertips. Otherwise, excess product will cause frostbite.

Diaper creams: they contain zinc oxide, D-panthenol, calendula oil

They regenerate damage caused by the negative effects of enzymes in urine and feces, dry out the skin under the diaper, and accelerate the healing of wounds. Such products have a special thick consistency and long-lasting effect - they are good to apply before bed to perfectly clean, dry skin. You should use diaper creams as needed.

Universal products: have a light texture, are quickly absorbed and are suitable for regular baby skin care in the absence of obvious problems. They soften well, prevent inflammation and diaper rash, protect against negative environmental factors, and are suitable for massage.

Severe diaper rash in a child: how to treat it?

Severe diaper rash in children is a common problem. The most common causes of redness:

poor hygiene (infrequent washing and bathing, prolonged stay in a wet diaper),
overheating (excessively warm clothes, wearing diapers for a long time),
aggressive washing powders with a high alkali content (for washing children's clothes it is better to use children's powders and try to rinse the laundry as thoroughly as possible),
rough fabrics and seams on clothes can injure the baby’s sensitive skin (soft cotton, calico, and knitted fabrics are comfortable for babies; at first, it is recommended to iron baby underwear after each wash),
frequent diarrhea and urination (prolonged contact with feces irritates the skin),
allergic reactions.

Clean, comfortable and dry

The first thing that must be done is to eliminate the cause that caused severe diaper rash in the baby. Air baths are extremely useful for the treatment and prevention of diaper rash in infants.

Together with regular changes of diapers and diapers, air baths help children’s skin recover in 1-2 days

It is also important to avoid overheating. If the air at home is very hot and dry, you need to ventilate the room more often, humidify the air and do not wrap your baby up too much

It is necessary to wash or bathe a small child every day! At the same time, it is useful to add decoctions of string, chamomile, and linden to the water.