Red, patchy, irritated diaper rash is annoying, but finding an effective remedy doesn’t have to be. Here, we outline the causes of diaper rash, how to treat it, and highlight the several benefits of using coconut oil for diaper rash—featuring Bubbsi’s ultra-nourishing coconut oil skin care line.

What is diaper rash?

Typically appearing as red or pink splotches near the baby’s diaper area, diaper rash (also referred to as diaper dermatitis) is a skin irritation that is common in infants 4 to 15 months old. The rash can make the skin surrounding the diaper area appear inflamed and patchy, and is a common condition that can make a baby's skin sore, scaly, and tender. Although most cases of this irritation will clear up on their own, there are many ways to prevent and treat diaper rash as it surfaces.

What causes diaper rash?

Usually, the causes of diaper rash are irritation, infection, or allergy.

1. Irritation: A baby’s skin can become irritated if a diaper is left on for too long. A combination of urine, stool, and the diaper rubbing against their bum repeatedly can cause friction and lead to irritation of the skin.
2. Infection: Sitting in an unclean diaper for too long can also cause their diaper area to become infected. Bacteria and fungi from stool and urine thrive in warm environments, which can cause diaper rash. It is also common for infants and babies to experience diaper rash as they begin eating more solid foods, as their digestive systems work more intensely and produce more stools.
3. Allergy: Babies with sensitive skin can be more prone to skin irritation. Some soaps, baby body washes, diapers, or baby wipes have ingredients with chemicals or textures which can irritate sensitive skin, causing diaper rash.

How can I treat diaper rash?

From cleansing frequently to being more mindful of the practices and products you use on your baby’s bum, there are many ways to treat and prevent diaper rash. We’ve outlined some of our favorite and most effective tips:

1. Change diapers frequently. Changing diapers frequently will give the tush a fresh area to rest on throughout the day. This can reduce how long a baby is sitting in their urine or stool, preventing the skin from long-term irritation. 
2. Leave some breathing room. Diaper rash can be caused by direct diaper-to-skin irritation itself. Make sure to leave some breathing room in the diaper area by making sure the diaper isn’t too snug around the baby's bum so the skin can breathe.
3. Spot-treat inflamed diaper area. We recommend using our Coconut Oil Balm, which utilizes coconut oil for diaper rash, both preventatively and as a remedy.

• Our Coconut Oil Balm can be applied preventatively after each diaper change to form a protective layer between the diaper and the skin to prevent irritation. Coconut oil is antibacterial, so it prevents the stool from irritating the skin.
• If diaper rash does occur, coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory properties soothes the rash and irritation, which is why we’ve formulated our Oil Balm as a 100% naturally-derived alternative to other diaper creams.

Why use coconut oil for diaper rash?

We love coconut oil for diaper rash because it actually works. Coconut oil is both a gentle cleanser and nourishing moisturizer that will leave skin feeling soft, never stripped, and it is full of Vitamin E and other essential nutrients that work to naturally hydrate the skin. Since coconut oil is rich in antioxidants and has antiviral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties, using coconut oil for diaper rash will counter the bacteria and fungi growth that can often cause diaper rash in the first place. As a natural, leading ingredient in Bubbsi’s skincare formulas, using coconut oil for diaper rash means avoiding harsh chemicals that can further irritate the skin. Plus, our coconut oil products are EU compliant, which means our formulas are only full of yummies, and completely free of yuckies.

Here’s what customers have to say:

Great Product!

“I love using this product on my now 8 month old. I started using it when she was 4 months and only use Bubbsi products on her skin. This balm works great to keep her little bum from developing a diaper rash! If I notice it getting a little red, I put a small amount on at bedtime and by morning it's all better. I also love that it doesn't have that overwhelming coconut smell and doesn't crystalize like many other coconut products I have used.” —Sim

Amazing

“This is our favorite Bubbsi product. We use it to follow up the body wash in the bath, as a diaper rash preventative treatment, and as a moisturizer post bath! It is so rich. We love the formula!” —Trisha

Loveee this product!!

“My baby girl has a very sensitive skin and ever since I started using Bubbsi, her skin has been blemishless! Thank you for this amazing creation. As for her diaper rashes, she hardly gets any due to continued use of Bubbsi, but if she gets any, mixing the oil balm and body cream does the trick! I have already re-ordered the refill pack and will continue to do so! And oh—Bubbsi is a big entertainer for her during nappy changes :) Thanks again!” —Sinduja

Treating diaper rash doesn’t have to be tough! Try soothing rough patches using coconut oil for diaper rash with The Newborn Starter Set. Our trio has all the goodness of moisturizing coconut oil without all of the mess!

Contributors: Rachel Cheung, Gina Hamadey