Finding the best diaper rash creams and ointments can help protect your baby's bottom. There are many types and brands of diaper rash ointments and creams readily available for babies. Some serve certain purposes better than others, but almost all are used for the prevention of diaper rash.
Best Diaper Rash Creams and Ointments
The most important aspect of either the diaper rash cream or ointment is its ability to provide a barrier against outside moisture and acidic substances such as your baby's bowel movements. Some creams and ointments contain medicated or healing ingredients to help repair irritated skin, whereas other creams merely focus on providing a thick reliable barrier.
A&D Ointment
A+D Original is a top label in the field of preventative diaper rash agents. The A+D original formula uses a petroleum base to act as a barrier alongside certain healing agents like lanolin that soothe your baby's delicate skin. It can even be used to heal minor cuts and irritations caused by diaper friction. The formula has passed the test of time and is one of the oldest treatments available on the market.
Boudreaux's Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment
The name is tricky to say, but the job of this cream is simple. It kicks diaper rash to the curb. Parents love the reliable cream and trust it, which is likely why its Amazon rating is 4.8 stars out of 5.0.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Aquaphor ointment creates a powerful barrier between soft skin and irritants. It can also be used for a variety of other skin ailments, including dry and cracked skin and chafing, and chapped lips.
Best Ointment for Diaper Rash That Is Severe
When your child experiences a severe diaper rash that has reached an infected stage, none of the above ointments may prove effective. There are prescription creams and ointments that your doctor may recommend, many of which will use antifungal ingredients, and these will often be used in conjunction with an over-the-counter cream.
It is important to remember that a small outstanding diaper rash can become a huge aggravated problem over time if proper diaper rash protocol is ignored. Cleansing your baby ritually, adhering to best practice diaper changing, and applying diaper rash ointments after every diaper change is essential for the prevention of staph-infected rashes and even septic conditions.
Creams vs. Ointment for Diaper Rash
Technically, there is a difference between an ointment and a cream, and this disparity of nomenclature divides the realm of diaper rash treatments into two distinct categories.
Diaper Creams
Diaper creams are thick or filmy white substances found in popular brands like Desitin and Burt's Bees. They employ a zinc oxide base in order to provide a solid barrier against external substances.
Diaper Ointments
Diaper ointments employ a moist oily (petroleum) base to seal in moisture while maintaining a barrier from outside elements. Some parents find diaper rash creams that contain zinc oxide to be too sticky, and so an ointment can be the better alternative.
Using a Diaper Rash Treatment
Your best bet for using a diaper ointment effectively is to apply it to clean dry skin.
- If your baby has suffered from diaper rashes in the past or appears to have a chronic problem with skin irritation, it is never a bad idea to wash your baby's bottom under the sink before applying the ointment.
- The skin must be clean and completely dry; otherwise, you will trap both moisture and irritating elements underneath the diaper ointment, sealing them close to your infant's skin. This defeats the purpose of using a diaper ointment.
- Children who suffer from repeated diaper rashes, despite the application of diaper rash treatments, are often not being cleaned and dried properly before their diaper ointment is applied.
- Remember that diaper ointments possess ingredients that naturally repel water. So when you are cleansing your baby, you will need to use soap and a good scrubbing technique to remove any residual diaper creams or ointments. This can become more than tedious if your child has several bowel movements a day, but it is an excellent method for preventing severe diaper rash.
Key Diaper Cream Ingredients to Look For
When choosing a rash cream to soothe your little one's backside, keep your eyes peeled for specific ingredients.
- Zinc oxide - serves as a moisture barrier and allows the cream to glide easily onto the skin
- Lanolin - serves as a soother and moisture barrier
- Aloe - soothes and moisturizes skin
- Calendula - soothes skin and reduces redness
Avoid products that boast fragrance. These creams might smell heavenly but can be more irritating to sensitive baby skin.
Go With the Diaper Cream That Works Best for Your Baby
Sometimes you have to try a few rash creams on for size before you settle on one that works with your infant's skin. With each one containing varying ingredients and concentrations, they may not all do the trick on the first try. Give each a few days before switching up your rash cream game plan. When in doubt, consult an expert or pediatrician in the matter and pick their brain over how to best resolve diaper rash.
