Infantile seborrheic dermatitis or cradle cap is a skin condition in babies. It appears as a rough, often scaly patch on the scalp of a baby. The skin problem is most common among newborns and children of the age group of 1 to 3 years old.

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License 

Symptoms of cradle cap

The most common symptoms of cradle cap include,

• Greasy patches of skin
• Yellow or white scales
• Thick crusty flakes, red and irritated skin
• Hair loss

---

Suggested read: How To Ease Teething Pain In Babies With 8 Simple Home Remedies

---

Causes of cradle cap

What causes cradle cap exactly is still unknown; however, according to some researchers, cradle cap could be a result of certain hormones passed from the mother unto her baby. It can also be caused by the type of antibiotics that the mother takes when with child. Other causes can be,

• Overstimulation of the baby’s oil glands
• Extreme weather
• Irregular skin cleaning
• Food allergies
• Growth of yeast in the digestive tract

According to the Mayo Clinic,

“Another factor may be a yeast (fungus) called malassezia (mal-uh-SEE-zhuh) that grows in the sebum along with bacteria. Antifungal treatments, such as ketoconazole, are often effective, supporting the idea that yeast is a contributing factor.”

Though cradle cap appears mostly on the scalp of the baby, it can also appear on his or her eyebrows, ears, eyelids, back of the neck, crease of the nose, underarms, and the diaper area. In case the condition seems to be spreading from one area to others then you need to consult the doctor immediately.

Although cradle caps are considered pretty harmless, those caused by infections can be painful and cause discomfort to the baby. With these home remedies for cradle cap, you can treat the condition quickly and effectively. Do not wait for it to heal itself.

According to BabyCentre,

“Talk with your baby’s doctor if the cradle cap is severe, if there is any bleeding, or if it spreads beyond your baby’s scalp.

The doctor may suggest an over-the-counter or prescription dandruff shampoo or, if the scalp is inflamed, a cortisone cream. Less commonly, if a yeast infection could be to blame, the doctor will recommend a topical anti-fungal medication.”

Home remedies for cradle cap

Here are the top 10 natural remedies that will help cure cradle cap without harming the soft skin of the baby.

1. Baby Shampoo

To get rid of the condition, try washing your baby’s head each day with a mild baby shampoo. This will loosen the scales and the flakes, while not irritating your baby’s supple skin.

For the remedy, begin by heating some water. Make sure it is soothing warm. Dip your elbow to be doubly sure. Now soak your baby’s scalp in the water. Take a cherry-sized amount of shampoo, and rub it gently on the baby’s head.  Slowly scrub the scalp using a baby brush. Do not scrub hard. Now wash the scalp with warm water and using a soft and clean towel, dry your baby.

This treatment should be followed once every day for the first week. After that, you can repeat it two times a week.

2. Olive Oil

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License 

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, using olive oil on your baby’s scalp can help you get rid of cradle cap. Also, the nutrients in olive oil is great for the baby’s skin.

Begin by heating the oil slightly. Massage it onto your baby’s scalp before his or her bedtime. Leave the oil on through the night, and next morning, using a soft comb, remove the loosened flakes and scaly patches. Wash your baby’s scalp using a mild shampoo and pat them dry.

Repeat the remedy depending on how serious the condition is.

3. Coconut Oil

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License 

The next remedy on our list is coconut oil, which is an amazing moisturizer and helps with cradle cap effectively. Also, since coconut oil is both anti-fungal as well as antibacterial, it prevents other infections from developing.

For the remedy, take a few drops of natural coconut oil, and rub it gently onto your baby’s scalp. Massage lightly so that the oil is absorbed by the skin. You need to leave the oil on for about 30 minutes, and then using a soft cloth, remove the loose flakes. You can also use a soft baby brush to scrub off the scales.

The remedy should be repeated once every day until the condition is totally cured.

4. Petroleum Jelly

Use petroleum jelly to treat your baby’s cradle cap. Since petroleum jelly is a great moisturizer, it can help get rid of the crusts as well as the oily scales, which are common symptoms of cradle cap.

For the remedy, massage your baby’s scalp with petroleum jelly an hour before giving her or him a bath. Now wet their hair using warm water, and with a soft brush, scrub their head. Wash thoroughly with warm water and pat the head dry with a soft towel.

This treatment should be repeated many times a week depending on the severity of the condition.

5. Shea Butter

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License 

The next remedy on our list of natural treatments for cradle cap is shea butter. Owing to its moisturizing property, shea butter can help get rid of the flakes and render your baby’s scalp cradle cap free.

Begin by gently rubbing in the butter on to your baby’s scalp. Now after about 30 minutes, wash your baby’s head using a mild shampoo and warm water. Pat him or her dry.

This remedy should be followed once every day for desired results.

6. Almond Oil

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License 

The sixth remedy on our list is almond oil, which is a safe treatment when it comes to curing cradle cap in infants.

Almond oil is quickly absorbed by the skin, owing to its light texture. When you lightly massage the oil into the baby’s scalp, it will quickly moisten the scales and get rid of the flakes.

For the remedy, you will have to mix tea tree oil and almond oil in equal proportion. Now apply the mix on your baby’s scalp and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Wash it out using a mild baby shampoo, and pat dry.

This remedy should be repeated once every day to prevent cradle cap form forming in the first place.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

The next remedy is apple cider vinegar, which due to its acidic nature helps treat this skin condition in babies, effectively.

For the remedy, you need to mix apple cider vinegar and water in the ratio of 1:2. Now massage this diluted solution of apple cider vinegar on to the skin and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Wash the area with warm water and pat dry.

This treatment should be followed two times a week for about two weeks.

8. Baking Soda

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License 

The last remedy on our list is baking soda. It helps treat the symptoms associated with cradle cap, effectively. Baking soda absorbs oil really quickly and is an amazing alkali. It will help balance the acid-basic level of your baby’s scalp.

For the treatment, mix baking soda and water in the ratio of 1:1, and prepare a paste. Now apply the paste on your baby’s scalp gently, and leave it on for about a minute. Make sure it does not extend a minute. With warm water, wash your baby’s scalp. This will treat the condition in no time.

Additional tips for cradle cap

Here are a few additional tips that will help you treat and prevent cradle cap.

• When using a brush to scrub off the flakes and scales, do not apply excess pressure as it can hurt your baby and also cause abrasions.
• Do not use sharp tool or even tools like tweezers to get rid of the flakes.
• Before using medicated solutions or shampoos on your baby’s head, do consult a doctor.
• To make sure your baby’s skin does not become dry and irritated, you need to make efforts so that your home remains humidified.
• You need to keep a close eye on your baby’s diet. This will help you ensure he or she does not get a food allergy.
• Once the cradle cap condition is treated, you need to wash your baby’s hair with a mild baby shampoo and brush his or her hair with a soft brush while it is wet. Always use a clean brush to make sure no infection is developed.
• After bathing your baby, always moisturize him or her. This will prevent dryness and irritation of the baby’s skin.

If you notice that the symptoms of cradle cap are getting worse, then you need to consult a doctor immediately.

That is all we have on today’s post on home remedies for cradle cap. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to your friends who have babies? Do you have some remedies that you would like to share with us? Let us know in the comment section below.

You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive these articles in your inbox every day.

See you again tomorrow!

Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License