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Author:
Khushboo Kirale
- >> Post Created: May 4, 2022
- >> Last Updated: November 5, 2024
Cornstarch for Diaper Rash - Table of Contents
Diaper rashes are a common problem in babies, but thankfully it comes with many solutions – in forms of medicated creams/ointments. But many of these solutions can be found in your own kitchen itself.
For parents who are wary of chemicals and steroids in diaper creams/lotions, we bring you yet another detailed article on a home remedy for diaper rashes – cornstarch!
Be it treating a proper diaper rash or even preventing it, cornstarch helps both ways. Read on to know more about this natural remedy for diaper rashes.
About Cornstarch
Cornstarch or corn flour – made from corn grain – is a common kitchen ingredient known for its usefulness in thickening soups and gravies.
On the skin, cornstarch has the ability to make it more elastic and smoother, making it common in cosmetics.
Many times, cornstarch is used as a replacement to talcum powder to keep the baby’s delicate skin dry, in turn soothing and protecting it. In fact, it should be preferred over talc or baby powder, we will tell you why later in this article.
How useful is cornstarch for diaper rash?
On application on a diaper rash, cornstarch speeds the healing process by acting as a protective barrier for the skin. Like talcum powder, cornstarch considerably reduces the frequency and severity of diaper rashes.
However, lately cornstarch has also faced criticism because of the belief that it ‘feeds’ a diaper rash caused by yeast. Nevertheless, it has been proven to be wrong. There are a good number of reasons why cornstarch is effective for healing and preventing diaper rashes –
- pH neutrality: Cornstarch being pH neutral is safe and gentle on the skin.
- Reduces friction: Cornstarch has a fine and silky texture, which naturally lessens the friction between the diaper and the skin, which can cause diaper rash.
- Creates a barrier: Cornstarch is not soluble in water and it is not an acidic liquid like urine; therefore, it is capable of acting like a proper barrier between the baby’s skin and a soiled diaper.
- Drying: Cornstarch is not soluble in water, but it does ‘suspend’ itself with water, which then enables it to not only dry the skin, but also create a barrier around it at the same time.
- Natural: The most reassuring aspect of using cornstarch for your baby’s delicate skin is that it is natural, besides being easily available and cost effective. It does not irritate the skin as it does not have chemicals that are found in other creams or powders.
Cornstarch works on more than one level – it keeps the skin dry, reduces friction by creating a barrier between skin and wetness, and hence, reduces diaper rash episodes.
How to use Cornstarch for diaper rash?
Cornstarch can be used in more than one way to treat and prevent diaper rashes. Here’s listing a few simple common methods on ‘how to use cornstarch for diaper rashes’:
- As baby powder, to be used every time you change the diaper
- Use it in a bath to help soothe the skin
- Mixing it with baby oil for massaging the baby’s skin – gently
- Mixing it with shea butter or olive oil to apply on baby’s skin for moisturizing
- Make a paste by adding ¼ cup of cornstarch to 2 cups of lukewarm water to apply on the baby’s diaper rash. Allow it to sit for 15–20 mins before wiping it off gently.
- Make cornstarch diaper cream
Few of the common methods have been elaborated below for your understanding:
1. Cornstarch Powder for diaper rash
Use 100% pure cornstarch as a natural remedy for diaper rash.
Clean your baby’s diaper region with a clean cloth dipped in warm water. Let it dry completely.
Then put ¼ cup of cornstarch in a fine-mesh cheesecloth or in a sifter.
Then shake/dab the cheesecloth/sifter so that the powder evenly falls onto the diaper rash.
Handle the area with care so that you do not put pressure on the skin. Repeat this regularly until the diaper rash vanishes.
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2. Cornstarch bath
Combine 1 cup of cornstarch in bathwater till it dissolves.
Do not allow the baby to stay in this bathwater for long as it may dry out the skin.
You can also mix half a cup of cornstarch and half a cup of baking soda in the bath to soothe and heal diaper rashes.
3. Cornstarch diaper cream
Mix 4 tablespoons of cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of organic or extra virgin coconut oil. Keep mixing till it attains the consistency of a thick cream.
You can also add an essential oil, like Tea tree (for the anti-bacterial properties), in it.
Allow this paste to stay on the skin for a few minutes before putting on a clean diaper.
4. Other cornstarch mixes for diaper rash
An aggravated diaper rash can be treated by mixing cornstarch with other ingredients as well. For example:
Cornstarch with baking soda:
Two tablespoons cornstarch + 1 teaspoon of baking soda + enough water to make a paste to apply on the rashes.
This mixture in particular can help in curing yeast infections.
Cornstarch with yogurt:
Mixing cornstarch with yogurt will not only help the rash heal, but also soothe it.
Conrstarch and Shea butter:
Shea butter on its own too can work well for diaper rashes, but adding cornstarch in it can enhance its healing properties.
Cornstarch and olive oil:
Adding cornstarch to olive oil will not only heal the skin, but also moisturize it.
Cornstarch with apple cider vinegar:
Mixing cornstarch with apple cider vinegar and applying it on the baby’s vulnerable part of the skin can prevent yeast infections.
With Aloe vera gel:
Combining cornstarch with Aloe vera gel can create a great diaper rash cream.
Cornstarch with petroleum jelly:
Mix two tablespoons of cornstarch with one tablespoon of petroleum jelly to make a thick cream.
Apply on the affected area and allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes before wiping it off with a warm, wet cloth.
You can continue to do this twice a day.
Do not apply this if you use cloth diapers.
Is cornstarch safe for diaper rashes?
There are doctors who opine against cornstarch, baby powders, or any other kind of powders on a baby’s skin. Instead, they recommend lubricating emollients for diaper rashes. On the other hand, many parents swear by the effectiveness of the healing abilities of cornstarch.
Experts try to explain this contradicting view on cornstarch by trying to draw your attention to the reason behind the diaper rash. As you know, diaper rashes are usually caused due to a combination of wetness, friction, too little air, and sometimes irritants (external products that come in contact with your baby’s skin, like wipes, bath products, etc.) as well. There are different types of diaper rashes –
- Chafing (most common type)
- Yeast
- Intertrigo (red area that oozes)
- Impetigo (bacterial infection)
- Eczema
If your baby’s diaper rash is caused due to chafing (caused by friction), then cornstarch is the most effective. Cornstarch being silky in texture not only minimizes friction between the skin and diaper, but also protects the skin.
In case of intertrigo, where the rash oozes out, cornstarch – which is also a drying agent – is actually recommended.
As far as using cornstarch on diaper rashes caused by yeast is concerned, there are notions that it may aggravate it further. However, it is NOT true.
According to a study conducted by J.J.Leyden in 1984, it was found that cornstarch does not increase the growth of yeast on skin instead it acts as a shield against injuries that could be caused by friction on the affected area of the skin.
Cornstarch has been shown to minimize frictional rashes (yeast-infected skin is red and sore) experimentally induced in volunteers.
Among the other reasons behind the popularity of cornstarch are that it is easily available, natural, and cost effective. However, if cornstarch or other home remedies for diaper rashes do not seem to work, visit your pediatrician.
Note:
- Use cornstarch sparingly
- Ensure that you keep it away from your baby’s face
- Use 100% pure cornstarch
Cornstarch vs. Baby Powder
Many times parents use cornstarch as an alternative to talcum or baby powder, but should cornstarch actually be the first choice for your baby’s skin?
Yes! There are some differences that we will list down here, which might make you rethink the use of talcum powder.
For starters, understand that ‘talc’ is a clay mineral, often found in deposits near asbestos, while cornstarch comes from corn kernels and it is something that is also consumed.
- Cornstarch and talcum powder are both powders, but in case of talcum powder/baby powder, babies can inhale the particles, which is not good for their lungs. Cornstarch is safer as it is talc-free.
- Cornstarch is made up of larger particles as compared to talc, which makes it safer. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), when a relatively large particle (say 30 µm) is inhaled, it is usually deposited in the nose or upper airways. But if there are finer particles, then they may reach the gas-exchange region, which is in the depths of the lungs. In this region, the removal mechanisms of the particles are less efficient. Because removal of particles is difficult in this region, the deposition of certain substances here can cause serious diseases, like silicosis, which can be caused by the deposition of free crystalline silica dust. The smaller the particle is, the higher the probability is that the particles will penetrate deeper into the lungs and affect the respiratory tract.
Reasons to use cornstarch for diaper rash on your baby’s skin
Are you still looking for further understanding on the benefits of using corn starch on your baby’s skin, then here are the 5 reasons showing you the positive side of using cornstarch for diaper rashes:
- Cornstarch can be safely used on sensitive skin as it does not result in irritating your child’s skin unlike other chemicals or ingredients which are found in creams or powders.
- Cornstarch helps absorb the moisture, which is super essential for the protection of your baby’s skin during diaper changes.
- Cornstarch helps in keeping your baby’s skin dry – avoiding excess moisture, which acts as key factor in avoiding the diaper rash altogether.
- Cornstarch also helps avoid skin irritation which is a result of the breaking out which happens due to the rash.
- Studies have proved that Cornstarch reduces friction which is the main cause of contact dermatitis in the diaper area.
- The corn starch powder will assist in reducing the sting that may occur due to diaper rash especially when you are cleaning the affected area on your baby’s skin.
- Last but not the least, cornstarch is a very cost-effective alternative when compared against buying expensive creams/powders.
This way you can also save some money by using what you already have at home.
FAQs: Cornstarch for diaper rash
Q1. Is cornstarch safe to use on a newborn’s skin?
Yes, it is safer to use on a newborn’s skin as compared to talcum/baby powder. You can use it after you clean, wipe, and dry the diaper region before changing.
Q2. Can cornstarch be used with cloth diapers?
Yes, cornstarch is safe to use with cloth diapers as well. It is petroleum jelly that should not be used if you use cloth diapers.
How effective is cornstarch for severe diaper rash?
It is quite effective! The main purpose of using cornstarch for diaper rashes is to soothe the irritated skin, keep it dry, and create a barrier to prevent from further damage. If your baby already has broken skin, then using cornstarch powder or a paste will help it protect the skin from further chafing.
Key Takeaways
Cornstarch is a natural, chemical-free, easily available, low-cost, and an effective way to not only treat, but also prevent diaper rashes.
Notions about it that it ‘feeds’ yeast infections have no basis and have been proven wrong scientifically.
Its effectiveness is seen in its popularity among parents. It can be mixed with various other ingredients to enhance its healing qualities.
Hope our article has given you a fair idea on not only on how to use cornstarch for diaper rash, but also helped you to understand the benefits of using cornstarch for diaper rashes.
So, the next time your baby suffers from a diaper rash, all you need to do is head to your kitchen and get some cornstarch out!
Happy Diapering!
Khushboo Kirale
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I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any recommendations for newbie blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Thanks for the tip. I will try it out on my little one. Hope it helps.
An impressive share, I just gave this to a colleague who was doing a little research on diaper rash. And she in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for her 🙂 So let me reword it: Thnx for the treat!
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us. You really know what you are talking about! Bookmarked.
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Thanks for this home remedy.
I am quite surprised to see so many things in our regular household kitchen that can hold medicinal value which we are not even aware off.
Will also try coconut oil for diaper rash as mentioned in other post.
Thanks for the handy tips.
That’s true Amaya. We are unware of lot of things which are already available in our kitchens. There are so many such things that our grand mothers knew which are lost over time.
Any which ways, thanks for liking our blog.