Diaper rash is a very common ailment in little ones, although it can affect some babies more than others.
As it is so common you may also find that you are inundated with some unconventional home remedies from breastmilk to egg white to cornstarch and apple cider vinegar.
All of these remedies are sworn to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with diaper rash. But there is one home remedy that I had never heard of and that was Maalox – so is it safe to use Maalox for diaper rash?
Let’s take a look at the science behind the Maalox diaper rash treatment.
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Causes Of Diaper Rash
The majority of diaper rashes are simply caused by your baby’s very delicate skin being exposed and reacting to the enzymes in their poop and pee. Both urine and poop are acidic and this can be very irritating to your baby’s skin.
There are a few other causes that could be making your baby’s diaper area sore, such as:
- Not changing diapers often enough – allowing urine and poop to stay in contact with the skin for prolonged periods of time.
- Their diaper rubbing against their skin when it is wet.
- Infection, either bacterial or yeast – staph or strep.
- Teething.
- A reaction to the chemicals in disposable diapers – usually dyes that are used.
- Diarrhea caused by either a change in diet, formula, allergies, breastmilk, or illness.
Baby’s quite often get diarrhea as their underdeveloped digestive system gets used to doing its job out of the womb.
But you shouldn’t let periods of diarrhea go on for more than 24 hours before consulting a doctor or pediatrician, especially in very young babies as they can become dehydrated very quickly.
Something that you should bear in mind is that at around 6 months of age when you start to wean your baby they will be experiencing lots of new foods for the first time and these may cause them to have a reaction resulting in diarrhea.
It is very important to introduce new foods one at a time, so it is easier to pinpoint the culprit if something causes them some tummy trouble.
Seeing your baby in so much pain and discomfort from diaper rash can be heartbreaking. Try not to allow mom guilt to creep in and remember that diaper rash is very common amongst little ones and can be quickly resolved.
What Is Maalox?
Maalox is a medication used to treat the symptoms of excess stomach acid, including upset stomach, heartburn, and acid indigestion.
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This type of antacid works quickly to lower the acid in the stomach. It does only work on existing stomach acid and does not prevent the production of stomach acid.
How Does Maalox Work On Diaper Rash?
So now I bet you are wondering how is an antacid medication going to help my baby’s diaper rash?
Well, the answer is quite simple really. You see diaper rash is caused by the acid in urine and poop causing a reaction with the baby’s delicate skin.
Maalox is a medication used to treat excess acid in the stomach and contains anti-acid ingredients which neutralize the acid in the poop and urine. Therefore meaning that the skin will be less irritated and so should improve diaper rash.
It really is a simple concept and it really works, with improvements being seen almost immediately.
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How Long Will It Take Maalox To Work On Diaper Rash?
Parents have reported seeing an improvement within a few hours, with the diaper rash being almost completely healed within 2-3 days.
You may be feeling like you have bought every diaper rash cream and although they promise the world they have yet to deliver on those promises.
In the meantime, your little one is still in pain and discomfort with their diaper rash. Maybe it is time to try something that is a little less conventional.
The Maalox magic paste should clear up the diaper rash in a few days. However, if after 2 to 3 days you see no improvement then it may be time to consult your doctor or pediatrician.
Maalox should also not be used as a daily preventative step for diaper rash or for prolonged periods of time – it should only be used for a few days to clear up diaper rash flair-ups.
How To Use Maalox On Diaper Rash?
The first thing that you are going to need is a good barrier cream that is 40% zinc oxide such as Aquaphor or any generic brand will do the same job.
In a small container with a lid mix,
- 1 part Maalox
- 1 part 40% zinc oxide cream of your choosing.
- Add 1 part A&D ointment
Ensure that your baby has a clean bottom, air dried, or pat with a soft washcloth. Then apply the Maalox mixture at each diaper change for the next 2 to 3 days.
This mixture can be a little runny on the first day of use but will get better on the second day. You could always just soak some cotton balls in the Maalox mixture and apply them to the affected areas.
Diaper Free Time
Diaper-free time is another important step in not only healing diaper rash but also preventing it too.
Exposure to the air helps to prevent the build-up of moisture and bacteria. Be prepared for a few little accidents but after all that is a small price to pay for your baby to no longer be in pain or discomfort.
Cover your floor with towels, waterproof sheets or a great alternative is puppy pads used to help house train pets.
These are relatively inexpensive and can be easily popped in the trash once they have been soiled. You can also get washable ones if you do not want to add any more trash to the environment.
When Should I Be Concerned About Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash is extremely common amongst babies but that doesn’t mean that may never need to consult a doctor or pediatrician. Many parents may tell you that it is ‘just a diaper rash’ but here are the signs that indicate you may need to consult a doctor:
- If your child has open sores, raised red bumps, or blisters in their diaper area.
- If their skin is oozing or bleeding.
- If the diaper rash begins to spread beyond just their diaper area.
- If your little one develops a fever – this can often indicate an infection.
- If their diaper rash does not start to improve after 2 to 3 days.
Are All Antacids The Same
There are many antacids on the market both branded and generic. You do not need to use a branded antacid but whichever one you choose must contain the same active ingredients in order for it to be effective, it must be in a liquid form and it should not be flavored in any way.
Maalox contains 200mg of aluminum hydroxide, 200mg magnesium hydroxide, and 20 mg simethicone per 5ml.
If you are unable to get Maalox you could use any generic brand of liquid antacid. Just ensure that it has the same key ingredients mentioned above.
FAQs
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What is the best product for severe diaper rash?
There is a huge range of diaper rash creams on the market and parents can quickly become overwhelmed.
But there are a few key ingredients that you should be looking for in your chosen diaper rash cream – zinc oxide, calendula, aloe vera, lanolin, and petroleum.
All these are known to help with the healing process but also protect delicate skin from further diaper rash.
What can I put on raw diaper rash?
If the bottom is very raw, soak in warm water for 10 minutes, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the tub of warm water. Do this 3 times a day, then apply a diaper rash cream.
How long does diaper rash take to heal?
Diaper rash usually takes around 2 to 3 days to heal with home care, although it can last a little longer.
The Final Thought
If you find that you have tried every imaginable diaper rash cream on the market and your little one is still suffering them it may be time to try a home remedy such as the Maalox mixture.
After all, what have you got to lose and you have so much to gain by having a happy and content baby once again who is no longer in pain or discomfort. And when your little one is happy, everyone is happy and life is just a little bit easier!
