Do not worry! It is not harmful. It induces scaly patches and crusty flakes on the scalp.
This condition in adults is known as dandruff or adult seborrheic dermatitis. In infants, it is very common and can be treated using some proven ways.
Its exact cause is not known yet. However, some possible factors that can contribute to
cradle cap is Malassezia, hormonal transfer, genetics, and overproduction of sebum oil.
It is completely safe to leave the condition as it is if you are comfortable with its symptoms. It may look disturbing, but it cannot cause itching or distress in infants. To get proper treatment, read the whole article.
Effective treatment for cradle cap in infants
Around 70% of 3-month-old infants become a victim of cradle cap. That is why there is no need to panic. In the moderate scenario, it does not need treatment and fades out within a few weeks or months.
If you see the symptoms below in your infant, you must get proper cradle cap treatment:
- Inflammation and redness
- Pain or distress
- Severe Itching
- Cracks on skin and bleeding
- Strong smell
- Blisters or signs of infection
- Symptoms are spread to other body parts
If any of these scenarios happen with your child, see the effective and proven conservative treatment below.
Bathing your baby
The flakes are the buildup of oil and dead cells, so it is better to remove them to provide a healthy environment for hair follicles to thrive on the scalp. To do so, you must provide your baby with enough baths. Instead of a complete bath, you can just wash the scalp with a tear-free shampoo.
Infants do not need frequent bathing, so it is recommended to keep the bath timing short and stick to 2 baths within a week.
Moisturizing the scalp
Dryness often comes with a cradle cap. To deal with it, you should use a moisturizer. Apply a moisturizer and rub for some minutes. After consulting with a doctor, you can use natural oils to moisturize the scalp. This will prevent further complications.
If you use petroleum jelly, oils, or creams, wash the area after a few minutes to remove residues.
Too much bath, heat, and sweat reduce natural oils from the skin. So, using a moisturizer is a great way to reduce its symptoms.
Using a brush
We strongly recommend you avoid scratching or picking flakes with your fingers. To remove flakes manually, use a specialized brush for removing flakes.
Browse the internet and get a brush according to your budget. When you have one, rub it gently to remove flakes.
You can also use oil and massage your scalp to let the brush move smoothly. Use it during the bath for better results.
If flakes are not removed or the brush is not working as expected, do not rub it hard to remove flakes. It can damage skin tissues and hair follicles, increasing the risk of temporary hair loss.
Medicated shampoo
This method is the most effective and proven one. A cradle cap shampoo created by Dr. Eddie Valenzuela (a pediatrician) is a fast and best way to get rid of cradle cap in infants.
The shampoo is specifically created for children by keeping skin sensitivity in mind. Adults can also use it. It is completely safe.
To use it, squeeze a small amount on the scalp and rub gently. It is better to leave it for a while for better effects. Rinse with tepid water. Pat dry your baby.
Keep using it until the symptoms completely fade out. It usually works within the first two uses. Use it two times within a week.
What not to do with a cradle cap?
You must know some things when dealing with cradle cap in infants. Some factors can contribute to flare-ups, while others can increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Read the guidelines below and follow them to get the best out of treatment:
Do not let your baby come in contact with irritants.
Do not let your baby sweat. Frequent sweating and not cleaning can lead to bacterial infection.
Do not expose your infant’s skin to heat and direct sunlight for too long.
Do not use beauty products on your infant. The chemicals in them can trigger allergic reactions.
Use enough moisture to recover the infant’s skin from dryness.
Do not scratch the skin. It can damage tissues and hair follicles, adding more complications to the existing condition.
Conclusions
Infantile cradle cap is neither dangerous nor contagious. You don’t have to quarantine your infant. Just ignore this condition if it is moderate and let it fade out naturally.
For severe symptoms, the treatment described in this article is enough. Use the listed ways properly for an effective cure. If nothing works for your infant, consult a doctor.
