Diaper rash ointments, such as zinc oxide ointment, dexpanthenol or calendula, help reduce skin irritation and redness, promote healing and increase the skin’s protective barrier, and may be indicated for the treatment or prevention of diaper rash.
Diaper rash is more common in babies, and may arise due to skin contact with the diaper, feces or urine, or even due to an allergy to the material of the diaper or wet wipe, for example. However, diaper rash can also occur in adults, due to poor hygiene, wearing tight clothing, or even obesity.
Diaper rash ointments can be used daily, and if the rash does not improve within 2 or 3 days, you should consult your pediatrician or dermatologist to evaluate the skin, as in some cases, antibiotic or antifungal ointments may be indicated if necessary. have skin infections.
Main ointments for diaper rash
The main ointments for diaper rash in babies, adults or the elderly are:
1. Zinc oxide
Zinc oxide ointment can be used to prevent or treat diaper rash, as it forms a protective barrier on the skin, hydrating the skin and reducing irritation and redness, as well as helping to promote skin healing.
Some examples of diaper rash ointment containing zinc oxide are Huggies Pure and Natural Diaper Rash Cream, Granado Baby Dermocalmante Diaper Rash Cream or Desitin Maxima Protection, for example.
How to use: Apply a layer of zinc oxide ointment to the skin, in the entire area covered by the infant or geriatric diaper, at each diaper change. It is important to clean the skin, removing urine and feces, before applying the ointment.
This ointment can also be used for diaper rash on the groin, thighs, genital area or buttocks in children or adults.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
2. Calendula
Calendula diaper rash ointment is recommended for diaper rash in babies, as it helps to soothe the skin, hydrate and soothe it, reducing irritation or redness, as well as protecting the skin against excessive moisture that can cause diaper rash, and can be used for both prevention of diaper rash, from the first day of the baby’s life.
This ointment can be found in pharmacies or drugstores under the name Weleda Baby Creme Calendula.
How to use: After cleaning the baby’s skin, apply a layer of calendula ointment to any area that comes into contact with the diaper, at each diaper change.
3. Dexpantenol
Dexpanthenol is a type of provitamin B5, which has healing action and is recommended to prevent or combat diaper rash, as it helps to regenerate skin cells, and can be used by babies, children and adults.
This ointment can be used to prevent diaper rash, as well as cracks in the nipples, lips or anal region, and can be found under the trade names Bepantol Baby, Bepantriz or Neopantol.
How to use: Apply dexpanthenol ointment to clean skin, after cleaning and removing urine and feces. In the case of diaper rash due to the use of children’s or geriatric diapers, this ointment can be applied at each diaper change.
4. Retinol Palmitate
The ointment containing retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) can be found in combination with zinc oxide, cholecalciferol (vitamin D), tocopherol (vitamin E), or almond oil, indicated for the treatment or prevention of diaper rash.
This ointment can be found under the names Hipoglós original, Hipoglós almonds, Babymed Girl, Babymed Boy or Babymed Almonds.
How to use: clean the skin and apply a layer of Hipoglós ointment, massaging gently to spread the ointment across the entire area covered by the diaper. This ointment can be used at each baby or geriatric diaper change, or as directed by the doctor.
In the case of Babymed ointment, it is recommended to apply it 2 or more times a day, depending on the severity of the baby’s diaper rash, or at each diaper change during the acute phase of the diaper rash.
5. Cetrimide
Cetrimide ointment for diaper rash is generally associated with other substances such as sweet almond oil, lanolin, zinc oxide and calendula oil, with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action, which help prevent or treat diaper rash.
This ointment can be found under the name Cetrilan Creme, sold in pharmacies or drugstores.
How to use: To prevent diaper rash, it is recommended to apply cetrimide ointment 1 to 2 times a day, on the skin of a baby’s or elderly person’s bottom. To treat diaper rash, it is recommended to apply the ointment at each baby or geriatric diaper change.
6. Almond oil
Diaper rash ointment containing almond oil, glycerin, zinc oxide or shea butter is recommended for preventing diaper rash in babies and can be used from the first day of life.
This ointment is specially formulated to prevent diaper rash in babies, as it helps to form a protective barrier on the skin, preventing diaper rash from developing, and can be found under the name Baruel Baby Diaper Rash Preventative Cream or Turma da Mônica Baby Amêndoas Diaper Rash Preventive Cream.
How to use: Apply a layer of the ointment to the baby’s clean, dry skin in contact with the diaper, after bathing and at each diaper change.
7. Avocado Extract
The diaper rash ointment containing avocado extracts, vitamins F and B5, and shea butter, helps to soothe and protect the skin on the baby’s bottom, and is recommended to prevent diaper rash.
This ointment can be found in pharmacies or drugstores under the trade name Mustela Preventive Vitamin Cream for Diaper Rash.
How to use: Apply a layer of the ointment to clean, dry butt skin at each diaper change.
8. Nystatin + zinc oxide
Nystatin + zinc oxide ointment has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, healing and skin protective action, being indicated for the treatment of diaper rash that has a fungal infection on the skin, as it acts by inhibiting the growth of the fungus. Candida albicans.
This ointment should be used under the recommendation of a pediatrician, after evaluating the diaper rash, and can be found under the name Dermodex or as a generic under the name “nystatin and zinc oxide”.
How to use: Apply a layer of the ointment to the affected area of the baby’s skin, at each diaper change, or 2 or more times a day, for irritation in other areas of the affected skin. Learn how to use nystatin + zinc oxide ointment correctly.
9. Niacinamide
Diaper rash ointment such as niacinamide, allantoin and avocado butter helps in the treatment or prevention of diaper rash caused by friction on the thighs, skin folds, or skin rubbing against clothes, for example.
This ointment is recommended for adults, helping to hydrate and soothe the skin, reduce redness and irritation caused by friction, and is called Sallve Anti-Attrition Moisturizer.
How to use: clean and dry the skin well, and then apply a layer of the ointment to areas where friction may occur, spreading gently with circular movements. This ointment can be reapplied whenever necessary.
10. Aloe vera
The diaper rash ointment with Aloe veraalmond oil and shea butter is indicated to prevent diaper rash in adults caused by friction between skin and skin or between skin and clothing, during sports, such as running or cycling, for example.
This ointment can be found under the name Solifes Sport Derme Chamois Anti-Friction Cream and acts by forming a protective film on the skin, in addition to hydrating, repairing, softening and refreshing the skin for long periods.
How to use: Apply a layer of the ointment to the skin, in areas that may suffer friction, spreading gently. Repeat the application when necessary.
How to apply diaper rash ointments
To apply diaper rash ointment, you must:
- Wash hands;
- Remove the diaper and throw it away;
- Avoid rubbing the clean part of the diaper on the diaper rash;
- Clean the skin and intimate area of the baby or elderly person with compresses soaked in warm water, making a single movement in the direction from the genitals to the anus. See how to clean the baby’s intimate area correctly;
- Dry the skin in the intimate area with a clean, dry towel or cloth diaper;
- Apply the diaper rash ointment by placing the equivalent of 1 pea grain on the tip of your finger and applying it to the reddened area, forming a white layer.
While the baby or elderly person still has diaper rash, the ointment that was previously applied should be wiped off and some ointment should be replaced every time the diaper is changed. Find out how to take care of your baby’s diaper rash.
How to prevent diaper rash
The best way to prevent diaper rash is to change the diaper whenever the baby or elderly person pees or poops, not letting the skin remain in contact with these substances for more than 10 minutes.
Furthermore, ointments can be used to prevent diaper rash, applied after correctly cleaning the skin and intimate area.
