How To Get Rid Of Bad Diaper Rash

A Few Simple Ways to Nip Diaper Rash in the Butt Fast

No, this is not my child. He is just a poor kid that may or may not have a diaper rash.

All right, fellow diaper changers, this article is for you: the brave, the unstoppable, the fearless, and the strong-stomached. I chose this oh-so-important topic to discuss today because even I, supermom of two toddler boys who are self-proclaimed professional poopers, have spent well over a week trying to get rid of a bad diaper rash. However, I believe I have come close to the art of eliminating diaper rash. Not only that, but through my experiments, I have also narrowed down the remedies to a few simple treatments that seem to work the best. And the best part? They are completely painless for your sweetie's bottom.

Step 1: Avoid Using Baby Wipes on a Diaper Rash

And by 'avoid', I mean don't do it.

Using diaper wipes can irritate the diaper rash, and can even cause them to bleed and become much worse. Not to mention the fact that it really hurts the baby's bottom! Even using a damp paper towel as a substitute, though it will reduce the stinging, could still irritate the rash.

So my tried-and-true recommendation is to man up, get some warm water running in your laundry room sink, and hold the baby's bottom underneath the faucet, letting the water wash away the poo with little to no irritation!

Step 2: Hold All Creams and Pastes

First, soothe the baby's bottom with a warm bath. You'd be surprised how big of a difference a 10-minute soak makes on a diaper rash. In fact I'd recommend letting baby sit in the bathtub or sink after every diaper change on day one of the rash (if you have the time). You don't have to wash the baby down or break out the shampoo or anything, so don't panic. Simply let him or her sit and play for 10 to 15 minutes. Just check out the happy smile on my kid's face after his rash-soothing bath!

My toddler after his rash-eliminating bathtub soak. See, much happier! (Ignore the forced smile. I promise. He's happy.)

Step 3: Wrap the Baby in a Towel and Commence Snuggling

(Okay, this part is optional. But my boys love post-bath cuddles.)

Step 4: Throw away Your Desitin and Your Butt Paste

And save your A&D for another injury. Because the product I am about to share with you is going to change your life. This product is called Bag Balm. I have included a picture and a link to where you can purchase the product for pretty cheap below. However, I just run to my local CVS.

Bag Balm is a product that originated in 1899 in order to soothe the hands of farmers who had been milking cows all day. In today's day-and-age, the balm's uses are endless. Apply Bag Balm to your baby's bottom after every warm bath and diaper change.

Step 5: Sprinkle Your Baby's Bottom with Baby Powder or Baking Soda

After applying the Bag Balm to the baby's diaper rash, sprinkle his or her bottom with baby powder or baking soda. This will help keep the Bag Balm from drying or rubbing away.

Follow Up the Next Morning

If, by the next morning, your child still hasn't completely gotten rid of the rash, sit him or her in a warm bath mixed with baking soda. If you call your doctor, he or she will probably recommend purchasing Lotramin, which is an over-the-counter rash and athlete's foot creme. I have never had much luck with this, but that doesn't mean you won't!

Thanks for reading! May you have a wonderful and rash-free day!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Stephanie on August 11, 2020:

My baby girl had terrible diaper rash, severe blisters everywhere. I had tried Destin, triple paste, Boudreaux's Butt paste, Aquaphor And nothing was really helping. My doctor prescribed me two different ointment that didn't seem to help. I started the regimen of doing bag balm with baby gold bond powder, and within a day 80% of the rash was gone. She still has some blisters lingering that just don't want to go away but this was definitely was the best thing I found so far!

Daddy on September 19, 2019:

Baking soda was terrible. No problems with the bag balm but once the baking soda went on with diaper it almost seemed to burned or irritated him. I had to put him in a cool bath again to get him to calm down! Beware I had the baking soda on my hand with the bag balm and it did feel gritty.

Kristen on October 09, 2018:

Read More From Wehavekids

Was so surprised when you mentioned bag balm. I swear by it!! It is litterly good for everything and works fast. But usually when I recomend it because of its name people laugh or think I'm crazy.

Robbie on September 27, 2018:

My gir lilly is so cute

Gigi on June 26, 2018:

My grand baby had a painful rash , I used the bag balm & corn starch at first then I used the bag balm with baby gold bond , the rash was 80 percent better over night , it didn't bother her to change her diapers . By that night the diaper rash was gone . Thank you for posting this .

Florin on April 16, 2018:

Wanted to add that no powder is needed, the cream performs its miracles without anything else needed - in fact our daughter seem to visibly suffer and got very upset from the bicarbonate, had to give her a bath immediately to wash it away. My advice - do not apply bicarbonate!

Florin on April 16, 2018:

Thank you, very fortunate for finding this post, and grateful for the advice. I have to pay it forward, so I will try to spread the word through any means. Our newborn struggled with a diaper rash for 2.5 weeks - tried every cream, based on zinc-oxide, petrolatum, lanolin etc, without no improvement. The bag balm cured the rash in less than a day - it is the 8-hydroxiquinoline sulfate in it that performs the miracle work. The other ingredients in isolation did nothing (petrolatum, lanolin).

Alecia on April 16, 2018:

This truly does work!! TYFS!

Kathryn19 on April 08, 2018:

Do not use baby powder containing talc on your babies or yourself.

Proven to contribute to cancers such as ovarian and others.

It is a carcinogen.

Inda Arifiani on March 29, 2018:

Hi, I just wanna say thank you thank you for your post. I've been struggling for my baby's rash for the past 7 days and she always got cranky when diaper change time. And now she's happy as can be! The rash dissapear only in 24 hours! Thank you so much!

Catie on January 24, 2018:

All I have to say is your a life saver! I'm a 1st time Mom and my daughter had the worse diaper rash to the point I couldn't even touch it and she wanted nothing to do with a bath or anything. I felt so terrible because I did everything in my power to try and get rid of it when it started. Nothing worked! Not creams, not powders, not baths, not oatmeal, nothing....The pain my little baby was in broke my heart, her screams killed me. So I did what any Mom would do and I got on Google, everything was saying consult her doctor so that's what I was gonna do in the morning but then I came across your article and read all the comments and just told myself to try this 1st and if it wasn't better in 24 hrs then take her in. So when the stores opened up I went out I bought the "miracle butt cream" gave her a bath as best as I could, let her air dry and then put the ointment on her with corn starch cause I couldn't find out baking soda and for the next 12 hrs I was on her constantly changing that diaper and I kid you not 80% of the rash cleared up!! I was in such shock! My little girl was back to her happy self in just 24 hrs with the rash complelty gone! Needless to say all my diapers ointments gone...see ya! because bag balm is the miracle butt cream for sure! So thank you so much for posting this article!!

Marilou on January 13, 2018:

This worked wonders for my 22 months baby girl. We used desitin, A&D and vaseline but this time it just didn't go away fast enough. She was in agony every time she peed and especially when she pooped. I read here about this bag balm one night hoping to get some advice from the net. The next day, very early in the morning, drove to Walgreens and got the balm. She had for one application and it was like a miracle. The rash was 99% gone. This thing is amazing!!!!

Ashton waddell on January 04, 2018:

My 2 month old has a bad rash I been trying to get rid of it I've tried a+d ointment desitin power an triple diaper rash cream won't go away

Karissa Simpson (author) from Fort Wayne, Indiana on December 15, 2017:

Not necessarily, the powder just helps the bagbalm stay in place and do it's job, without the powder you'll have to apply more frequently, and may not see results as quick!

Good luck!

Yana on December 15, 2017:

Do you have to use a powder?

Shakira summer on February 09, 2017:

So grateful for this Article. I'll be trying it today.

Vanessia on December 15, 2016:

Thank you!!!

Mina on February 19, 2015:

I recently just had a baby girl (my 1st, I have a 6 yr old boy) & after coming home from the hospital she started getting a diaper rash. I tried Destine, A&D, Petroleum Jelly & Vaseline. It started getting worse & red, her skin started peeling & I didn't know what to do until I found this on Google. I thought it was worth a shot, Googled it at the nearest CVS. Got it at around midnight & thin the morning noticed it was way better! Half into the day & it was almost 80% gone! The next day it was gone! I wad amazed! She will be a month today. After struggling for two weeks I wouldn't go back to anything ele. Bag Balm is a miracle! 5 stars!!! Worth every penny! Thx!

vanityL on February 17, 2015:

Thanks for this info my son had diaper rash for about a week. Really hope this works!

Marisol on November 27, 2014:

I must say I never thought this would work. I had tried many creams and even maizena ( its cornstarch). This bag balm is the best. My baby's rash had lasted for over a week. I didn't know what to do anymore. I applied bag balm after every diaper change with Gold Bond Baby powder with cornstarch. In two days it was completely gone. Used no wipes at all just running water like you said. Thank you soo much for your help. Grately appreciated.

sheena on August 07, 2014:

So happy to find this info!! Thank you!!! My son has a BAD diaper rash ...its been bad since yesterday, this morning my heart was breaking changing his diaper :o(

So this morning I immediately went to Google and this was the first page I clicked on! I wish I looked yesterday...My mother in-law has been telling me for years now she swears by bag balm, so luckily we ALWAYS have some in the house, it does wonders on the worst of cracked hands and feet. I don't know why I never thought of using it as a diaper rash aid! So anyhow I ended pouring a warm bath with only water no soaps etc.. took him a few secs but when he finally got the courage to sit in the water the smiles started coming and I could finally take a deep breath! After his bath I immediately applied bag balm then sprinkled Burt's Bees dusting powder which is talc free and my personal favorite...But anyhow he's back to himself , walking normal and in better spirits for now , we'll see the next change :(

I'm going to keep using wet warm paper towels for cleaning the area instead of wipes (that DEF makes a HUGE difference) and applying bag balm and powder ! From the bottom of my heart , THANK YOU for sharing ! My heart was breaking at diaper changes.. Ill post an update in 24 hours!

Elisabeth reaves on June 05, 2014:

Your suggestion on the bag balm was spot on! It helped my daughters severe diaper rash in ONE day! Thank you for this blog

shannon on March 21, 2014:

My daughter is 3 months old n I went from huggies to pampers baby dry n she got rash so I went back to huggies n started using desitin after the butt paste didn't help.and it is so much worse n I'm sure its the desitin so I'm goin try the baking soda n hope that works.thanks.if anyone has any suggestions please.

stormi moon on June 23, 2013:

Baking soda? I have never heard of using this. I have always been told to use corn starch... but iam gonna give it a try. Thank u.