How to Deal with a Baby's Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is an extremely common skin condition in infants under the age of one. It isn't associated with any illness, nor is it the result of poor hygiene. You can identify cradle cap by oily, yellow crusting, either in spots or covering the entire scalp. Although the cause of cradle cap is not fully understood, many healthcare professionals believe that it is the result of an overproduction of sebum, or skin oils. Yeast and bacteria can reproduce in the sebum, which may also be a contributing factor. Fortunately, babies are not typically bothered by cradle cap, and you can typically clear it up with at home treatment.

Things You'll Need

  • Mineral oil, baby oil or petroleum jelly
  • Soft bristled brush or soft toothbrush
  • Fine tooth comb

Instructions

    • 1

      Massage the head with mineral or baby oil or petroleum jelly. Do this about an hour before bath time, to give the products time to soften the scales on your baby's head.

    • 2

      Wet the hair with warm water, then use a soft brush, such as a soft-bristled toothbrush, to scrub your baby's head.

    • 3

      Rinse his hair thoroughly. Don't leave any residue behind, which can create itching as it dries.

    • 4

      Comb his hair with a fine-toothed comb to remove any crusts that you worked loose but are still in his hair.

    • 5

      Pat his head dry gently with a towel.

    • 6

      Wash your baby's hair daily while you are working to clear up the cradle cap. Once his skin clears up there is no reason to wash his hair that frequently. Twice-weekly shampoos should be enough to keep him clean without drying out his skin.

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