By Theresa Gibilisco, owner, The Hungry Puppy
We sell Bag Balm at the store, and every so often a parent or grandparent asks if it's good for diaper rash. It's a fair question. That green tin has been in farmhouses and bathroom cabinets for generations. Here's what Bag Balm actually is, what the company says about it, and why I'd call your pediatrician before putting it on a baby.
What is Bag Balm?
Bag Balm has been made in Vermont since 1899. It started as a balm for dairy cows' udders, and today the company describes it as a versatile, soothing skin balm safe for people and animals alike.
According to the company's FAQ, Bag Balm contains:
- Petrolatum
- Lanolin
- Paraffin wax
- Water
- 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate
The company says the formula hasn't changed since 1988 and that it's the same in the Original and Hand & Body tins. Its directions are simple: for external use only, and stop using it if irritation occurs.
Does Bag Balm work for diaper rash?
Here's the honest answer. Bag Balm's own website doesn't list diaper rash as a use. Its FAQ doesn't mention diaper rash, babies or children, and its product page doesn't either. The only baby mention I found is in a company blog post about popular uses, which says "From breastfeeding to baby's skin, Bag Balm is a godsend for new moms," with no directions for use on infants.
So why do people reach for it? Petrolatum and lanolin are thick, greasy ingredients that sit on top of the skin. Petrolatum is a common ingredient in diaper ointments because it helps keep moisture off the skin. That's likely why some families have used Bag Balm this way for years.
But Bag Balm isn't made or labeled as a diaper rash product, and it has one ingredient most baby ointments don't: 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate. That's one more reason to get your pediatrician's okay first.
Talk to your pediatrician first
Babies' skin is thin and sensitive. Before using Bag Balm, or any product not labeled for babies, ask your child's doctor. Call the doctor right away, rather than trying another cream, if the rash:
- Has blisters, open sores, pus or bleeding
- Comes with a fever, or your baby seems sick or unusually fussy
- Has bright red patches with small red spots around the edges
- Isn't getting better after a few days of good care
- Is on a newborn
If anyone in your family is sensitive to wool or lanolin, mention that too, since lanolin comes from sheep's wool.
Everyday diaper rash basics
Whatever ointment your doctor recommends, these simple steps help:
- Change wet and dirty diapers quickly.
- Clean gently with warm water and pat dry. Don't rub.
- Give your baby some diaper-free time to air out.
- Make sure the diaper isn't too tight.
- Use the barrier cream or ointment your pediatrician suggests in a thin layer at changes.
Where Bag Balm really shines
For grown-ups and animals, Bag Balm has been a farmhouse staple for over a century. The company lists dry, cracked skin, cuts and scrapes, chapped lips, chafing, and pets and livestock among the ways people use it. For more on that, read our post on the benefits and uses of Bag Balm on animals and humans. If you use it on a pet, ask your vet about anything deep, infected or slow to heal, and keep in mind most pets will try to lick it off.
How to get it from us
We carry Bag Balm 8 oz in the store and on our Bag Balm page. Add it to your next order and we'll bring it on your town's free local delivery day, Tuesday through Friday, with a $20 minimum across Monmouth County and parts of Ocean, Middlesex and Mercer. See your day on our local delivery page. We ship free over $75 to the Northeast, too.
Bag Balm FAQ
Is Bag Balm safe for babies?
The company says Bag Balm is safe for people and animals, but it doesn't give directions for babies or list diaper rash as a use. Ask your pediatrician before using it on a baby.
What are the ingredients in Bag Balm?
Petrolatum, lanolin, paraffin wax, water and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, according to the company.
Is Bag Balm the same as petroleum jelly?
No. Petrolatum is the main ingredient, but Bag Balm also has lanolin, paraffin wax, water and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate.
Where is Bag Balm made?
In Vermont, where it has been made since 1899.