How To Get Rid Of Cradle Cap
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When you become parents, you can prepare yourself for every possible thing you can think of but when it comes to your baby, you’re always going to be in for surprises. Some of them might be common issues that you will know how to tackle, and some of them might scare and worry you. It’s all a part of being a new parent, and we are here to tell you that you are not alone. Parents face challenges with their babies almost every day. Is your baby sleeping right? Eating right? Sitting right? How many times a day should your baby poop? Are they drinking enough water? Are they supposed to react that way? These are questions that every new parent has, and if you are one of them, don’t worry about it because it’s normal.
One of the common things that parents worry about is cradle cap. It’s not a severe issue and generally does not need medical treatment. But when parents notice flaky or crusty patches on a baby’s head, it is no surprise that they worry about it. Cradle cap is a condition that causes white or yellow scales on a baby’s scalp that does not come off easily. The condition is not painful or itchy, and generally, a few home remedies should help contain the issue. Cradle cap clears up on its own in a few weeks or months, and there is nothing to worry about.
What You Can Do
It might not be painful or itchy, but you can try a few remedies to see if it lessens the scalp condition. Cradle cap usually goes away on its own, but while that happens, you can try to wash your baby’s hair with a mild shampoo once a day. Sometimes, the scales can be heavy. In such cases, apply some mineral oil and massage your baby’s head for a few minutes. Be gentle while you do this, and leave the oil for a couple of hours before shampooing. It might help remove the scales or loosen them. Wash your baby’s hair as usual and brush the scalp gently with a smooth and soft brush to reduce the scale.
If the scales do not reduce with frequent shampooing and oil application, talk to your baby’s doctor about the products you could use. Low potency hydrocortisone cream might help your baby’s scalp. You could also use shampoo with 2% antifungal ketoconazole medication to ease the condition. Ensure that the shampoo does not get in your baby’s eyes and cause irritation (1).
What You Should Not Do
Firstly, do not panic because it’s a harmless condition that is not painful. It disappears on its own, so you have no reason to worry. However, avoid scratching the cradle cap as it may aggravate the condition. If the condition seems severe, your doctor might prescribe a medicated shampoo, lotion, or oil that might help keep the condition at bay.
If you are using a medicated shampoo, cream, or lotion, ensure that you’ve consulted a medical professional. Only if your baby’s doctor has given you the green light should you go ahead with these products as they could be toxic and harsh for your baby. Do not use over the counter cortisone. Dandruff shampoo is a big no because it contains salicylic acid, which is not recommended for babies. The chemicals in such products can be absorbed through the skin, which may be harmful for your baby (2).
When Should You Visit The Doctor
If there is no improvement after you’ve tried the home remedies, frequent washing, and oil massage, and the cradle cap starts to spread, make an appointment with the pediatrician. Although the exact cause of why cradle caps occur is unknown, excessive oil production in the oil glands and hair follicles could be a contributing factor (3).
However, remember that cradle cap is not contagious, and it is not caused due to poor hygiene. Therefore, don’t beat yourself up. Wait for it to pass naturally in a few weeks or months. If this article helped clear your doubts about cradle cap, share it with friends and family to help them.
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