The best treatment for diaper rash is prevention. The best prevention is keeping your baby’s diaper area clean and dry. Even with all the prevention in the world, your baby may still get diaper rash. Don’t feel to blame, because it’s very common. The following preventative measures will help you treat a current case of rash and also help you prevent reoccurrences.

Frequent diaper changes: Change your baby’s diaper as soon as he or she has wet or had a bowel movement. Wash your baby’s bottom with warm water using wash clothes or cotton balls instead of “baby wipes”.

Barrier or blocking ointments: Using an ointment such as Desitin, A&D, Eucerin, zinc oxide or Nivea on your baby’s bottom can put a protective barrier between urine, stool and your baby’s skin. Most doctors recommend avoiding the use of talcum powder, which can cause lung problems and cornstarch, which can cause yeast to form.

Fresh Air: Give your baby’s bottom more time in the open air without diapers on. When you’re at home, place your baby on a few cloth diapers or blankets over a waterproof pad. The more fresh air that your baby’s bottom is exposed to the faster the rash will heal.

Different type of diapers: If your baby is having a recurring problem with diaper rash try switching the type of diapers you are using. If you are using disposable diapers, try switching to cloth. Some of the dyes and perfumes in disposables may be the cause of your baby’s rash. If you’re using cloth diapers, try putting the diapers through a second wash cycle in clear water without detergents.

Avoid soaps and other irritants: Limit the use of soap on your baby’s bottom. Washing with soap 2 or 3 times a week is enough. Even if you’re using a mild soap for sensitive skin, your baby might be having a reaction to it. When your baby has had a bowel movement use plain warm water and wash clothes or cotton balls to clean his or her bottom. Baby wipes can cause more irritation to an existing rash and some wipes contain alcohol, which is very drying to your baby’s skin.