Diaper Rash (Gudakutta)

केचित्तं मातृकादोषं वदन्द्यन्ये तु पौतनम् l
पृष्ठारुगुदकुट्टं च केचिच्च तं अनामकम् ll

Diaper Rash - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Diaper rash is a common skin problem affecting anyone, especially children, who wear diapers for a long period of time. It is the condition where the baby’s skin at the buttocks and the perianal area gets inflamed. It may be caused by various reasons from inadequate hygiene to intake of medicines. Ayurveda explains this condition as Gudakutta. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA offers effective treatment for Diaper rash through Ayurveda. IAFA is always concerned about your child’s health and is pioneering in the management of various pediatric ailments including Diaper rash and other allergies.

Causes of Diaper Rash

Main reasons for Diaper rash are pointed below:

Wearing the same diaper for a long period of time
Irritation from feces and urine
Rubbing over a diaper causes friction with skin
Tight and mismatched diapers
Allergic response to baby wipes, lotions, creams, etc.
Diarrhea in baby
Increased skin sensitivity of baby
Intake of antibiotics

Ayurveda explains reasons for the occurrence of Diaper rash as continuous contact of skin with fecal matter or sweat.

Ayurvedic Reference of Diaper Rash (Gudakutta)

Symptoms of Diaper Rash

Characteristic features of Diaper rash are:

Red, tender skin in the region of contact with diaper – buttocks, thighs, and genitals.
Baby becomes uncomfortable, especially during diaper changes.
Baby usually cries during cleaning and washing of diaper area

Symptoms of Diaper rash as explained by Ayurveda include reddish ulcers with itching and other discomforts that make the child uncomfortable.

Types of Diaper Rash

Following are the different types of Diaper rash:-

Irritant Diaper rash: It is the most common type of Diaper rash. It is caused by continuous contact of skin with the irritants – urine and stool.
Yeast infection: It is also a common type of diaper rash that is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus that is naturally seen in the digestive tract. In yeast infection the rashes are shiny, bright red colored with clear margins. In severe cases, there may be bleeding from rashes, and is worse in the groin folds.
Bacterial Diaper rash: It is a rare type of Diaper rash. Some bacteria may cause diaper rash or worsen an already formed rash. Features of rash depend on the type of bacteria affected.
Allergic Diaper rash: Some babies having sensitive skin react to any particular ingredients like dyes, perfumes, preservatives, etc. in diapers, lotions, or wipes.

“Dr. Gupta’s IAFA offers effective treatment for Diaper rash through Ayurveda. IAFA is always concerned about your child’s health and is pioneering in the management of various pediatric ailments including Diaper rash and other allergies. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is the absolute destination for ensuring your and your child’s health”.

For completely natural care and cure to your child reach IAFA!!!

-Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFAⓇ

Diet in Diaper Rash

Do’s (Pathya)

Reduce use of diapers
Use of cotton nappies
Change diaper once it is contaminated with feces or urine
Keep diaper area always clean and dry
If required use only mild soap or shampoo for cleaning
Regular bath
Wipeout excess sweat
Mother can drink lukewarm water
Mother’s food should be light and non-irritant
Bitter guard

Don’ts (Apathya)

Continuous and prolonged use of diaper
Rubbing over the diaper area
Use of strong scented, flavored wipes and lotions.
Improper cleaning of the anus
Repeated use of allergic baby products
Intake of heavy and irritant food by mother
Intake of heavy food during indigestion
Intake of excess of spicy, sour, and salty food by mother.

Yoga and Pranayama for Diaper Rash

Diaper rash in children is greatly related with food and regimen of mother. As breast milk is the main source of nutrition in babies, mother should have good digestive power. Many yoga postures promote the proper functioning of the digestive system. Some of them are:

Naukasana
Paschimothasana
Ushtrasana
Pavanamuktasana
Ardha matsyendrasana
Trikonasana
Dhanurasana
Bhujangasana

These can be practiced by the mother depending on her physical condition.

Pranayama includes various breathing techniques that help to stimulate the nervous system and aids in proper digestion. It helps to relax the mind to a great extend as well.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Diaper Rash

Ayurvedic Treatment for Diaper Rash includes internal and external medicines for mother as well as for child. As vitiated breast milk can irritate baby’s stomach and result in diaper rash, mother should also be given adequate treatment.

Internal Medicines (For Mother)

Nimbadi Kashaya
Tikthaka Kashaya
Trayanthyadi Kashaya
Guluchyadi Kashaya
Kaisoraguggulu Gulika
Triphalaguggulu Gulika
Guggulu panchapala Churna

External Medicines (For Child)

Triphala Kwatha
Chandana Kwatha
Yashti Triphala Kwatha
Aragwadhadi Kwatha
Ksheerivruksha Kwatha

Treatment Procedures (For Child)

Kshalana (Washing of ulcer)
Dhara (Pouring medicated water over rash)
Lepana (Medicinal paste application)
Jalukavacharana (Leech therapy)

Single Herbs that Can Be Used in Diaper Rash

Yashti madhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Chandana (Santalum alba)
Badara (Ziziphus jujube)
Plaksha (Ficus microcarpa)
Sariva (Hemidesmus indica)
Asana (Pterocarpus marsupium)

References

Child Health and Ayurveda, First Edition 2021, by Sahil Gupta, Diaper Rash Chapter No. 21, Page No. 90-93.
Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, by Sahil Gupta, Fungal Infection Chapter No. 41, Page No. 248.
Vaidya Harisastri Parodkar, Ashtanga Hridaya A compendium of Ayurvedic system, with commentaries of Arunadatta and Hemadri, Bombay, Nirnayasagar Press, 1989, p 785-786.
Vaidya, LC. Ashtanga Hridayam with Sarvangasundari Vyakhya, Varanasi, Motilal Banarasidas, 1963, p 596.
Narayan Ram A, Yadavji Trikamji A. Sushruta Samhita, Bombay, Nirnayasagar Press, 1945, p 324.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Diaper Rash?

Answer: Diaper rash is the inflammation and successive formation of rashes or ulcers on the back of babies due to prolonged wearing of diapers.

Question: Which are the Types of Diaper Rash?

Answer: Major types of Diaper rash includes Irritant Diaper rash, Bacterial, Fungal, and Allergic.

Question: Does Ayurveda have Good Management for Diaper Rash?

Answer: Yes, Ayurveda ensures a complete cure of Diaper rash through various internal medications to the mother and also external medicines for the child.