Cradle cap is a form of dermatitis, looking very similar to a bad case of dandruff, that affects the scalp of babies generally in their first few months.
Older babies and toddlers can also get it and it can linger for weeks or months. Although the condition can look unattractive, it’s not itchy and won’t cause your baby any discomfort.
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What Does Cradle Cap Look Like
Here are some examples of cradle caps: But it looks like crusty scaly earwax that is stuck to the scalp or the face.
How did this happen to my baby?
It’s thought that it happens as a result of lingering hormones in your baby’s body following the pregnancy. The hormones stimulate secretions from the oil glands in the skin. Naturally falling skin flakes from your baby’s scalp get stuck in the oil and stick to the scalp.
Generally, these secretions slow down over time and cradle cap tends to clear up on its own.
But for some children it can linger on and on.
What can I do to remove or treat cradle cap?
Firstly, do not pick at the scaly patches on your baby’s head. Picking can leave sore patches that could become infected and can become sore when they weren’t sore to start with.
Try one or all of these methods to gently remove the cradle cap:
1. Fill a stocking with – cup of oats and use it as a sponge in the bath for all dermatitis-affected areas of the body, including cradle cap on scalp. Used regularly the soothing properties of oatmeal clear up the affected areas.
2. Regularly wash your baby’s hair with a baby shampoo then loosen the flakes using a soft brush.
3. Coat cradle cap with mild conditioner, allow to soften flakes then use a nit comb or similar to gently dislodge flakes.
4. Rub a mild baby oil, olive oil or coconut oil into your baby’s scalp, leave in hair as long as possible, overnight if you wish, then brush off the flakes with a coarse dry face cloth. Wash the remaining oil off with regular baby shampoo.
If you suspect your baby’s cradle cap has become infected, seek medical attention as a course of antibiotics or antifungal cream may be required.
If you become concerned about cradle cap or any condition please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice https://stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/
SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information. All information provided is correct at time of publication.
Responses to “4 Natural Cradle Cap Cures”
My daughter had very bad cradle cap as a baby. My local GP said to use olive oil on her scalp. We did this for a number of weeks. It wasn’t working and in fact appeared to be making the cradle cap worse. It looked like it was cooking her head. I resorted to using bepanthen and it cleared up in a couple of weeks. This is what worked for us, I wouldn’t recommend trying anything without your Doctors advice.
My four year old was still getting cradle cap and the hairdresser suggested I used an adult, rather than child, shampoo as the pH is different. It has helped a lot.
I use lavender oil diluted with water. Spray on leave for a while then rinse off. Works for me.
my son had cradle cap at 1 1/2. we tried everything and nothing worked until we used head and shoulders. smooth and silky. we only used a little bit of both shampoo and conditioner. it took about a month of using that and rubbing with a towel and brushing his hair to clear but. oh and we asked our doctor and midwife nurse.
Use a little bit of bi-carb soda with water to make a paste – put it in and leave for15 minutes before washing it off and then comb/rub off – works a treat! Except my 4 &6yr old wont let me comb their hair!!
Both my kids had cradle cap, and after my second I tried everything from conditioner, olive oil and the oats trick but after months of persevering nothing worked if anything it got worse…than someone recommended bicarbonate soda in a paste formula mixed with water, i put it on my dd’s head in the bath for 5 mins or so than gently combed it out. It removed all of the cradle cap immediately and never returned!
I used a breast milk, it worked a charm, just smooth some on after or during a feed!!!