When your baby’s skin is irritated due to a diaper rash or infection, you want to resolve the issue as quickly as possible without subjecting your little one’s irritated skin to harsh chemicals.
One method of dealing with diaper rashes and other diaper area skin issues is by giving baking soda baths.
This article will focus on the benefits of a baking soda bath for diaper rash. Simply adding baking soda to your child’s lukewarm bath water can help the baby’s skin with several issues, from diaper rashes to yeast infections.
Whether your baby has a yeast diaper rash, experiences eczema flare-ups, or you want your little one’s skin to be really clean, a baking soda bath can help.
Why baking soda to treat diaper rash?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is something that most households have at the ready. It is a universal solution for many household issues, from cleaning to eliminating odor and even cooking.
Hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin, adding baking soda to a baby’s bathwater has many benefits in treating diaper rash.
Just a few tablespoons of baking soda can alleviate a severe diaper rash. It is one of the safest natural remedies you can administer.
Please note that baking soda is different from baking powder and it is essential to use baking soda.
Diaper rash
Diaper rash is widespread in infants because a diaper is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, regardless of whether you use disposable diapers or cloth diapers.
Babies with sensitive skin are even more likely to be affected by diaper rash.
When the skin comes into contact with urine or feces inside a wet diaper, the warm and humid environment of the diaper causes bacteria to multiply quickly.
While performing a diaper change to keep skin dry can help prevent it, those bacteria can best be dealt with if they are cleaned away entirely. Baking soda does the job.
Baking soda bath for diaper rash
A baking soda bath can act as a skin reset button.
With less than a cup of baking soda in a baby’s bath, you can get rid of those dead skin cells, soothe itchy skin, and reduce redness and swelling. It can also be used in conjunction with an oatmeal bath to add nourishment and relieve itching.
Always skin test first
Although baking soda is gentle to add to a warm bath without causing much risk or worry, you should always do a skin test before you introduce any substance to your baby’s skin.
You can do this by making a baking soda paste that has a consistency that mimics the diaper cream in your diaper bag. Put this in a small area of the baby’s skin, and leave it there for 24 hours.
Check it frequently. If there is no further irritation and it doesn’t worsen the diaper rash, you can safely introduce baking soda baths to your baby.
To make the baking soda paste, add a little baking soda to water and mix it until it is thick and creamy. You don’t want it to be runny or smear too quickly so you can better control the area you put it in.
How much baking soda for bath
Baking soda poses almost no risk to a person’s health, so it doesn’t matter how much baking soda you use.
However, you don’t need much. Less than a cup of baking soda added to the warm water in the baby’s bath will take care of most issues.
Baking soda in bath water
A baking soda bath will do wonders for a diaper rash. It neutralizes the pH balance of the skin and vagina, eliminates fungal cells, and can relieve many superficial skin infections.
This simple medical treatment for topical and fungal issues is effective, made of just sodium and bicarbonate ions.
Just a tiny amount of baking soda in lukewarm water can immediately take care of many issues on the skin. Adding oatmeal to the mixture can help ease itching associated with many skin disorders.
The following are some other issues on the skin of babies, children, and adults, that baking soda baths can address. Always consult professional medical advice from your child’s pediatrician or general physician if you suspect any serious infections.
Yeast infections
A yeast infection is often caused by Candida cells that overproduce and cause infection. Because of the antibacterial and antifungal properties of baking soda, it makes for a good detox bath for the affected area.
A baby’s diaper can irritate your child’s skin irritated and swollen, and a few tablespoons of baking soda can help knock out the symptoms and the infection that yeast can cause.
Urinary tract infection
A UTI is caused by acid that builds up in the urinary tract, can cause severe itching, and make it burn when urination occurs. Formic acid, coupled with acetic acid, induces death in the pathogenic candida species, which causes many issues in the baby’s diaper area.
Using baking soda is one of the most effective alternative treatments to medications that can help to reverse this bacterial buildup.
Only a small amount of baking soda is needed. Simply add it to cool or warm water and soak for fifteen minutes or longer.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis medicated baths are commonplace for those who suffer from this itchy and painful skin issue. Using baking soda (about 1.5 cups) and oatmeal baths can ease psoriasis symptoms and help with the itching.
Poison oak and poison ivy
Both toxic plants can induce a skin reaction; those exposed and irritated by these leafy irritants find that using baking soda in a warm bath can help to reduce the appearance and symptoms of the rash caused by these two plants.
Other tips for treating diaper rash
A baking soda bath is excellent for helping the skin to cleanse itself and reduce the risk and symptoms of skin infections. Baking soda also helps absorb moisture, reducing the risk of recurring skin issues.
The following are some other things you can do along with baking soda baths to help your and your baby’s skin.
1. Hot water for adults
The warmer the water, the more it dries out your skin. Dry skin does not invite as many bacteria, making it more difficult for the bacteria that survive there to multiply.
If you draw yourself a baking soda bath, use hotter water than you usually would. This will help to cleanse and dry your skin more efficiently.
Remember that babies cannot tolerate the heat, so you will have to reduce the warmth of the baking soda bath for a little one to avoid burns.
2. Add essential oils
Adding some essential oils, like lavender, to a baking soda bath can add a lovely fragrance and a calming effect on you or your little one. Just make sure that you use oils that are safe to use on babies.
As a general rule, essential oils are not recommended for babies under three months old.
3. Avoid acidic foods
Acidic foods can cause the baby to have irritation to the skin after a bowel movement. If you notice that certain foods or drinks cause this reaction in your child’s body, try reducing how often you offer the food to your child.
4. Try aloe vera
This sticky substance creates a barrier that helps to soothe damaged skin while keeping moisture away.
Found to be even more effective than most other creams, this natural ingredient can help get your baby’s bottom looking and feeling healthy again.
5. Keep it clean
Making sure you constantly change your baby on a clean surface, with clean hands, and promptly can help prevent rashes. Remember always to wipe front to back and to use wipes every time you change a diaper.
Baking soda bath to treat diaper rash
Baking soda is an excellent solution to heal diaper rash. It can also help you to deal with many other problems, including those skin problems (such as inflamed skin) and minor infections that can cause you the most worry and irritation.
Including baking soda into your little one’s bath time routine can help eliminate symptoms, infections and while also getting them clean. It is also great for your baby’s sensitive skin and the warm bath water in an infant tub will help your baby to relax.