Cradle Cap - Manhattan,KS

Updated on January 08, 2007
C.D. asks from Manhattan, KS
12 answers

My son is 2 and he has cradle cap. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have never dealt with this before. I just read the tread a few lines down and it answered my questions...soft brush or comb, don't pick, keep it clean, dandfuff shampoo, and oil.

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B.C.

answers from Tulsa on

My daughter had horrible cradle cap too. The thing that worked with her was after washing her hair, while she's still in the tub, take the baby oil and drenched her head. Then I used the baby brushes, you know the really soft ones, and worked in in. Rinsed it out. Do this a couple of times. It worked for her, hope it works for him.

B. C

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A.L.

answers from Kansas City on

I haven't read the other posters, so someone may have already mentioned this one...Olive oil and a toothbrush. It's all natural and works.

A. L

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C.N.

answers from Lawrence on

My son got it when he was a baby and we put baby oil on his head. Left it on there for about 15 minutes and then washed it off. After doing that for a week it cleared up and I haven't seen it since.

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M.C.

answers from Enid on

With my daughter we used olive oil, and a fine tooth baby comb. We let the oil sit on her head for a while then combed thru it. We had to do it twice, but it never came back.

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H.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Hello,

My son and daughter suffered from "Cradle Crap" as I liked to call it. I used Gentle Naturals Cradle Cap treatment. It's about 9.99 at drugstores like CVS/Walgreens. I also used a fine toothed comb to help with the distribution of the treatment throughout my baby's head.

Good luck with the "Cradle Crap"

H. :)

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A.H.

answers from Springfield on

Cradle Cap
Introduction:
We are constantly making new skin cells at about the rate that we lose old, dry skin cells. The old skin falls off and we usually don't even notice the process. In many healthy infants, the skin cells on their scalp grow faster than they can fall off, leaving a layer of somewhat crusty, extra skin.
What is it?
Cradle cap is a crusting and scaling rash found on the scalps of many healthy babies. The sebaceous glands in their skin are hyperactivated often because of mom’s hormones that crossed the placenta just before birth. These glands pump out a greasy substance that keeps the old skin cells attached as it dries.

Cradle cap is a specific timing and location of seborrhea.

Who gets it?
Cradle cap can occur in any baby, and most commonly begins sometime in the first 3 months.

It is not common after the first year of life until the teen years when hormone levels rise and exuberant growth returns. Teens often have a similar scalp condition, but for them we call it seborrhea (though I think “cradle cap” when I see it, remembering how far they have come).

What are the symptoms?
Your adorable baby develops patchy scales and redness on the scalp, even though the early baby pictures showed beautiful baby skin. The scales may appear cracked, greasy, or even weeping.

The same rash is often prominent around the ear or the eyebrows. It may appear in other locations as well, where it is called seborrheic dermatitis rather than cradle cap.

Is it contagious?
No

How long does it last?
In most children, cradle cap is gone by 8 to 12 months and often long before that.

How is it diagnosed?
Cradle cap is diagnosed by physical examination. If it has not improved with simple treatment, other diagnoses should be considered and other tests may be necessary.

How is it treated?
Generally, cradle cap does not need to be treated as long as it doesn’t bother you or the baby. Sometimes it itches.

The gentlest treatment is to simply rub a small amount of baby oil or olive oil onto your baby's scalp. Wait several minutes for the oil to soften and loosen the scales, and brush them away with a soft brush or a dry terry-cloth washcloth.

If the cradle cap is especially pronounced, or if your baby is over six months old, you could also wash the hair with a seborrhea shampoo, such as those containing selenium, salicylic acid, or tar. These shampoos don’t have the "no tears" factor, so be careful or your child may not like bath time as much as they usually do.

If the cradle cap is especially reddened or inflamed, a small amount of over-the-counter cortisone cream may help.

These measures may be needed, off and on, until your baby outgrows the condition. Nevertheless, if the cradle cap does not respond rapidly to these treatments, be sure to inform your pediatrician.

How can it be prevented?
Preventing the rapid scalp growth and active sebaceous glands of cradle cap is not easy (or desirable). Frequent gentle shampooing may prevent the build up of scales.

SOURCE: http://www.drgreene.com/21_1062.html

Here are some other sources on the topic and how to treat it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradle_cap
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_cradlcap_hhg.htm

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V.L.

answers from Wichita on

All three of my kids got cradle cap and what worked for me was to put lotion on their heads don't rub it in all the way leave it white. let it sit for 8 to 10 minutes then use a soft brush like a newborn baby brush and it comes right off!
good luck
V. l.

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A.K.

answers from Santa Fe on

The thing that worked best for my kids is Gentle Naturals Cradle Cap Treatment. You can get it at target in the baby section, it worked wonders for my kids!!

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K.R.

answers from Springfield on

Selson Blue works wonders for cradle cap. My dr recommended it and we use it whenever my daughters head gets dry and scaly. I also started using a moisturizer shampoo on her hair everyday, that way it won't dry out as quickly.

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L.W.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I used Head and shoulders on my son and it worked great!!!

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D.P.

answers from Chattanooga on

at target theres a bottle of shampoo like stuff that is also good for cradle cap, its in a green bottle and has winnie the pooh on it.

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A.K.

answers from Tulsa on

this is a sure way to get rid of cradle cap...listrine....(mouth wash)....original flavor only...and a toothbrush ..scrub away....it may take many application depending on the severity...it kills the bacteria...

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