Diapers let parents take their babies out without having to worry about them dirtying their clothes. They are comfortable for both the parents and the tots. But some times, this can backfire. Baby's soft bottom is then converted into irritating swamp. Babies cry and their bottoms itch. But the good news is that most of the times, the rash clears up within a day. But in certain cases, it can linger on for a few days. This can keep your child irritated for days on end. But you can follow some simple home remedies and keep away the rash,

Here are some simple tips that can avoid or treat the diaper rash:

• Use gel disposable diapers: If you choose the disposable diapers, choose the diapers with the latest absorbent gelling material. These diapers remove the dampness away from the skin than the other types of diapers. They also keep the skin's pH level more acidic, thus decreasing the chances of suffering from diaper rashes. All the leading brands of diapers have this gelling material.

• Wash the cloth diapers with vinegar: If you choose to go in for reusable cloth diapers, rinse them in vinegar at the time of wash to change the pH and reduce the chances of diaper rash. Add a quarter cup of plain white kitchen vinegar to each load of diapers during the final rinse cycle of the wash. Avoid using the fabric softeners during the washing of the diapers because they put a coating on the diapers that prevents them from absorbing as well,

• Apply warm cornstarch: Instead of using the modern talcum powders available for treatment of diaper rash, use cornstarch. Take cornstarch and spread it out on the baking pan and warm it in the oven at the temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit for about ten minutes till it is completely dry. Test the temperature first and then apply it gently to the baby's bottom. Cornstarch is as smooth as the commercially available talcum powder but is cheaper and more effective.

• Blow dry the bottom: Keep the infected area dry and clean to speed up the healing. Do not use a towel to clean the area as it can be very abrasive. Instead use a hair dryer set on low or cool for three minutes to dry the infected area.

• Avoid using diapers: The best solution is to avoid using diapers so that the skin can air itself as much as possible to promote healing. But if it is not possible, keep the diaper under the baby when it is lying on its stomach. This can be done when it is sleeping or any other times when it is still.

• Choose paper instead of plastic: If the baby has excess leakage, which can lead to diaper rash, keep a paper towel between its skin and diaper. The paper towel helps in stopping the leakage without blocking air circulation. The drawback of plastic is that it seals the moisture thus increasing infection.

• Breastfeed the baby: Babies who have been breastfed since birth show a lower incidence and severity of diaper rash than those who have been fed baby formula. The effects of dietary influence are seen even after the babies are weaned.

• Avoid soap and baby wipes: Stop using soap and baby wipes if your child has the rash. Commercially available wipes contain alcohol that can aggravate the rash and cause more pain. Some of them can also cause the rash due to the presence of certain chemicals. Soap is very harsh on the sensitive skin and the baby should be washed without soap if it is suffering from diaper rash.