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Cradle cap appears at the site of the highest secretion of sebaceous glands, i.e. in the area of the scalp. It resembles a yellow shell. At birth, the baby leaves the mother’s body, but this does not mean that it is no longer associated with it at all. During pregnancy through the placenta, the baby received min. a large dose of hormones that will circulate in his blood for several weeks after he is born.
Cradle cap is probably the childhood version of seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis causes dandruff in adults. In babies, it causes extremely thick and flaky skin on the baby’s head.
Cradle cap is very common in infants, and in most cases harmless and resolving. It is most common in infants up to 3 months of age, however, it may also appear at a later date. Most cases of cradle cap resolve before the baby’s first birthday. Nevertheless, cradle cap can occur in a two-year-old as well as in a four-year-old – usually these are rare cases.
The cradle cap is usually spot on the head and may be concentrated behind the ears. Sometimes it also appears on the skin under the eyebrows, on the nose, armpits, or in the groin. The cradle cap petals can be dry or greasy and are usually white or yellow.
Cradle cap is harmless and there is no medical reason to put any health risk to your child. Cradle cap in an infant is almost a natural state that almost every parent has to deal with.
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As a result of the action of maternal hormones, the newborn’s sebaceous glands are overstimulated to work. The sebum produced by them, often after reaching the skin surface, dries up along with exfoliating epidermal cells. This is visible on the skin in the form of yellowish spots, rashes, scales or even a crust. The intensity of the color depends on the severity of seborrhea.
Also read: Seborrheic dermatitis in infants
Cradle cap – causes
The cause of cradle cap is not fully understood. In the past, incorrectly, it was believed that the occurrence of skin changes was related to the way of feeding. It is now known for certain that cradle cap is not the result of infection, allergies or inadequate hygiene. You cannot catch it.
Some medics believe that excessive sebum secretion is observed more often in children born in spring and summer, when the sebaceous glands work more intensively. It is a result of the immaturity of the sebaceous glands, which work very intensively right after the baby is born and lubricate the baby’s sensitive skin too much. All mothers should be calm – cradle cap does not mean that they care for the baby poorly. It is a very common condition in infancy.
Children with atopic dermatitis are also prone to cradle cap formation.
See: Atopic dermatitis in children
Regular care of the affected skin prevents secondary bacterial and fungal contamination. If, despite regular care for 10-14 days, the cradle cap does not disappear, it is necessary to contact a pediatrician or a child dermatologist. This also applies to situations where cradle cap itches persistently and appears outside the scalp. It may be necessary to use stronger drugs or more detailed diagnosis for allergies or psoriasis.
Give it a try a soothing emulsion for the cradle cap
According to previous observations of cradle cap, it is a problem that worries parents much more than the child itself. The changes don’t itch or hurt. The only major risk of this condition is secondary bacterial or fungal infection of the affected skin.
If the skin lesions are mild, they do not require any treatment. You can gently try to remove the scales by yourself while brushing your hair with a soft-bristled brush. It is best to do it right after bathing the baby, when the secretion of the sebaceous glands is still softened. So far, however, there are no studies confirming the effectiveness of this method.
Home remedies for cradle cap
Below you will find some practical tips that will help you get rid of your child’s cradle cap at home:
- petrolatum – Vaseline helps to keep the skin moisturized and prevents it from drying out. It also helps in removing dead skin from the head. With cradle cap, you can put a small amount of petroleum jelly on the baby’s scalp and leave it overnight. The next day, wash your head with water and apply a mild shampoo to rinse off any petroleum jelly.
- olive oil – Olive oil is one of the best oils, especially for the skin, because it contains vitamin E. Vitamin E in olive oil cares for the skin and protects it against infections. Apply a few teaspoons of olive oil and gently massage your baby’s scalp with it. Wait a few hours or even overnight and rinse your head with a mild shampoo to get a nourished scalp. It is one of the best natural remedies for cradle cap in babies,
- shea butter – Shea butter available on the market perfectly moisturizes and soothes infected skin. Apply a generous amount of shea butter to your baby’s scalp. Let it work on your scalp and gently rub the flaky layer off your skin with a soft brush. The butter can also be gently wiped off with a soft cloth or washed off with water,
- mother’s milk – mother’s milk is a magic potion filled with various nutrients and antibodies. It is well known that it is critical to a newborn’s growth and immunity. However, it has long been used as a home remedy for cradle cap. You can put a small amount of milk on your baby’s head to soothe and calm sensitive skin. Most importantly, it is harmless to the baby’s skin and can stay even for a long time,
- coconut oil – coconut oil has always been used as an antifungal and antibacterial agent for minor abrasions. It is very effective in combating cradle cap in babies. It is very accessible and moisturizes the scalp well. Take a few drops of coconut oil in your hand and warm it by rubbing it into your hands. Then apply the oil to the affected areas of the baby and massage gently. Set aside for about twenty minutes and rub off any scalp flakes that may have come out during the massage. After twenty minutes, wash off the oil with lukewarm water and shampoo. However, remember to check your baby for an allergic reaction when using coconut oil for the first time – apply a small amount of coconut oil to a small area of the baby’s body, wait a few minutes and watch for an allergic reaction.
Grandma’s method for cradle cap is sprinkling the baby’s head with potato flour or powder (this is to help dry skin lesions).
An effective method of treating cradle cap is also applying baby oil to the baby’s scalp about 15 minutes before the bath. After a quarter of an hour, we can gently try to remove the scales using a special brush (with delicate bristles) for baby hair. Then you can wash the baby’s head. If this procedure is performed frequently, be sure to get a moisturizing cream and use it to avoid excessively drying the baby’s skin. In the case of cradle cap, you can also use coconut oil, which lubricates perfectly and is completely safe.
Some parents recommend a home method of removing scales with softened wheat bran instead of olives.
In children with a small amount of scales, it is enough to wash the head with shampoo and brushing every day. The head of a toddler should be washed with a special shampoo for children.
These treatments require patience because cradle cap can stay in one place for up to several days. Unfortunately, it can also recur. In such a case, it requires repeating the care ritual described above.
Prophylactically, you can lubricate the baby’s head with olive oil. Parents are advised to avoid overheating their baby’s scalp as this increases the risk of cradle cap formation. Hats that are put on a child should be made of natural fabrics. They should not be worn at home unless after a bath (briefly).
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