If you’re a parent, you know that diaper rash can be one of the most frustrating things about having a little one. Not only is it uncomfortable and painful for your baby, but it can be an expensive and time-consuming problem to deal with.
As parents, we are constantly trying to figure out the best things for our little ones, from washing baby clothes, using a boppy pillow, alternatives for a pacifier, and dealing with diaper rash.
Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to prevent diaper rash in the first place. One is cornstarch—not just any type of cornstarch, but plain old cornstarch.
Diaper rash can be caused by several things, including the chemicals in disposable diapers, yeast and bacterial infections, or even foods that are difficult to digest. Cornstarch is an excellent home remedy for diaper rash. It works as a barrier between your baby’s skin and the wetness of diapers to prevent rashes from getting worse.
Cornstarch can also soothe any existing diaper rash and help heal it faster. The remedy works well on babies already suffering from diaper rash, but it may also help prevent future rashes if you use it regularly with every diaper change.
It has natural antiseptic properties that help prevent bacteria from growing in your baby’s sensitive skin. Helping keep moisture away from the skin is key for preventing rashes. Continue reading to learn how cornstarch for diaper rash works.
What is cornstarch?
Cornstarch is made from corn, a fine white powder that thickens sauces and gravies. Commonly used as a thickening agent for puddings, pie fillings, other desserts, and some types of paint.
Cornstarch is not the same as corn flour (made from ground whole grains of corn), although both can be used interchangeably in recipes. The most significant difference is that cornstarch contains no gluten, while corn flour has gluten.
Cornstarch is made by grinding whole kernels of corn into a powder or meal. Manufacturers usually do this with high-speed steel rollers that crush the grains into small pieces before running them through sieves that screen any remaining hard bits. Then they dry the resulting mass in hot air until it is completely free of moisture. After that, they grind it again to ensure it’s fine and uniform in texture.
The resulting powder is about 80 percent starch by weight (the rest is protein). It’s an excellent thickener because the starch molecules are long chains that can absorb large amounts of water without breaking down themselves.
Is cornstarch safe for diaper rash?
Yes! Cornstarch is a natural ingredient that helps relieve diaper rash by providing a barrier between your baby’s skin and diapers. This helps keep moisture away from their skin, which can help protect them from getting irritated.
Also, washing baby clothes with gentle soaps can go a long way to soothe their sensitive skin.
Can you use cornstarch on a baby’s bottom?
Yes! Cornstarch can be used on a baby’s bottom.
It is a great alternative to talcum powder, which contains harmful chemicals that may cause cancer. Cornstarch is also safe for babies and will not clog pores or cause dryness like talcum powder can.
Will cornstarch help a rash?
If you’re wondering whether you should dab on cornstarch to help with a rash, the answer is yes! Cornstarch is a great way to help soothe your skin and reduce rash irritation.
What cures diaper rash fast?
It depends on the cause of the rash itself. If you’re dealing with yeast or bacterial infections, we recommend looking into an over-the-counter ointment like Desitin or Aquaphor. Once you’ve cleared up the infection, you can use a gentler cream like Aveeno or Cramers until the skin heals up.
How does cornstarch work on diaper rash?
Cornstarch is a very effective home remedy for diaper rash. It is gentle and safe and can help dry up the rash and make it less painful. The starch helps to absorb the moisture from around the affected area, which relieves discomfort and makes the skin less vulnerable to irritation.
When your child has a diaper rash, you want to do whatever you can to relieve their discomfort. Cornstarch can help with this problem because it absorbs moisture around the affected area. This results in a drier surface that is more resistant to irritants like urine.
The best way to use cornstarch for diaper rash is by sprinkling a small amount onto your child’s bottom before putting on a fresh diaper. This will help keep his skin dry during the day and prevent further irritation from occurring.
What are the benefits?
Prevents Chafing
Cornstarch helps keep skin dry, which prevents chafing and irritation. It also prevents moisture from building up in the diaper area, which may cause rashes to develop.
It helps heal skin inflammation
Cornstarch absorbs sweat and moisture, which helps heal inflammation caused by bacteria or yeast infections.
It reduces irritation from wet diapers
Cornstarch absorbs moisture from wet diapers, which helps reduce irritation caused by wetness and dampness in the diaper area.
Gentle on Baby’s Skin
Cornstarch is made from corn, which is completely natural and biodegradable. It won’t irritate your baby’s sensitive skin like other products might. In fact, if you have sensitive skin yourself, cornstarch may be more appealing than some products containing harsh chemicals that can irritate your own skin too!
Absorbs Moisture
Cornstarch has been used for centuries to absorb moisture from the air into its particles, making it ideal for use on diaper rashes since they’re often caused by moistness in the folds of the skin due to urine or stool leakage (or both). When applied directly onto irritated areas of your baby’s bottom, cornstarch helps absorb moisture away.
Is cornstarch good for diaper rash?
Cornstarch is a great product to use on diaper rash! It’s non-irritating and absorbent, so it helps to keep moisture away from your baby’s skin.
Cornstarch works so well for diaper rash because it absorbs excess moisture and keeps the area dry. This prevents bacteria from growing and causing more irritation, which helps prevent further irritation from occurring.
Handling diaper rash can be stressful, as can trying to get poop stains out of baby clothes. There are also simple home remedies you can follow.
Cornstarch bath for diaper rash
Cornstarch baths are a popular home remedy for diaper rash. They are a safe and effective way to treat and prevent diaper rash.
How To Use Cornstarch Bath For Diaper Rash?
Follow the steps below:
- Mix one-half cup of cornstarch with one gallon of water. Stir well until it is dissolved completely.
- Add this solution to your bathtub filled with warm water (not hot).
- Let your baby sit in the tub for about 15 minutes so that the water can absorb all the cornstarch mixture from their skin.
- Pat dry gently after bathing with a soft towel, do not rub harshly, as it can irritate your baby’s skin further.
You should repeat this process once daily until the rashes disappear completely.
How to use cornstarch for diaper rash
The most common causes of diaper rash are yeast and bacteria. They can infect the skin by causing inflammation. This is especially true if your baby has a lot of moisture trapped in their diaper.
The first step in treating any rash is cleaning off all stool traces from your baby’s bottom with a warm washcloth or a wipe soaked in warm water. Dry your baby gently with another clean cloth or towel and put on a clean diaper immediately so there isn’t much time for bacteria or yeast to grow back on your baby’s skin.
In combination with other treatments (such as petroleum jelly or zinc oxide)
If your baby’s diaper rash isn’t getting better with just cornstarch, try using it in combination with another treatment — like petroleum jelly or zinc oxide — to see if it helps.
As a dusting powder over any red areas
Spread cornstarch over irritated areas using your fingertips or a cotton ball. The best way to apply this treatment is by patting it gently with your fingers instead of rubbing it on—this helps reduce irritation for both you and your baby! You will also want to make sure that all of the treated areas are covered with cornstarch before putting on a fresh diaper or letting your child go without one for
As a barrier between your baby’s bottom and their diaper
Mix 1/2 cup cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water until it forms a paste. You can use any non-oily liquid—plain old water will do. Just make sure it’s not too runny!
Spread the mixture over your baby’s bottom using your fingertips or a soft cloth. Make sure it covers every inch of skin that might be irritated by diapers (the top, sides, front, and back).
Let it sit for about 15 minutes before getting dressed again—this will give the cornstarch time to dry up any moisture left by wet diapers!
If you want something more substantial than plain cornstarch, try mixing equal parts of cornstarch and baking soda. This mix creates an even gentler approach than plain cornstarch alone — not only will it soothe the skin and help heal any redness or irritation, but it also contains antifungal properties that may help prevent future rashes from developing.
As part of a homemade diaper rash cream recipe
Cornstarch is an ingredient in many commercial diaper rash creams, so you may already have it on hand. If not, it’s easy to find at your local grocery store or pharmacy.
To make your homemade diaper rash cream, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 6 warm water until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil (if desired) and stir well until combined.
Spread on the baby’s bottom after each change and let it sit for 10 minutes before dressing him again. Repeat as needed until the rash clears up completely.
How often should I use it?
There is no specific answer to this question, as everyone’s baby is different. However, many parents find that using cornstarch for diaper rash daily helps prevent rashes from becoming bad. It can also help clear up mild rashes faster.
If your baby has a particularly severe rash that won’t go away with cornstarch, it’s important to talk to your doctor or health care provider. Sometimes rashes are caused by allergies or other conditions that require treatment by a medical professional.
Final Thoughts on Cornstarch for Diaper Rash
So there you have it: cornstarch is a great way to treat diaper rash. It can be used as an alternative to commercially-available products, and it’s gentle on your baby’s skin. Plus, it’s super cheap!
Go ahead—try it out for yourself!
