If your baby has a dry, flaky scalp, don't despair. The cause of the condition is unknown but physicians speculate that hormone fluctuations, skin yeasts and overactive oil glands may be to blame, according to Children, Youth and Women's Health Service. If your baby has this condition, olive oil can help remove the flakes and keep his scalp looking clean.
Identification
Pediatric dry scalp, also known as cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis, can give the skin of the scalp a greasy appearance. Pediatric dry scalp presents itself as flakes, scales and thick, crusty patches of dead skin cells. According to BabyCenter, the condition first develops during the first few months of life and resolves itself by the age of 6 to 12 months. It is important to note that chronic conditions can last well into adulthood.
Solution
Rubbing a thin layer of olive oil on your baby's scalp twice a week can help remove cradle cap flakes, according to the Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics website. The application of olive oil should be approximately one hour before bath time, giving it plenty of time to soften the flakes and scales. After one hour, the dead skin should be soft enough to remove with a comb or soft toothbrush. Gently run the comb or toothbrush lightly over your baby's scalp, combing or brushing out the flakes. Wash your baby's scalp with baby shampoo and warm water afterward.
Warning
The skin on your baby's scalp is very tender and fragile. For this reason, it is important to remove the flakes from your baby's scalp with gentle care. Scraping the comb over the olive oil-covered scalp to remove the flakes can cause damage to the hair follicles. It is also important to remember that you should never use your fingernails to remove the flakes. Bacteria under your nails can spread to the hair follicles and cause infection, which requires medical attention and possible antibiotics.
Misconceptions
Pediatric dry scalp may make your baby's scalp look dirty at times. However, it is important to remember that cradle cap is not contagious and certainly not a hygienic problem. In fact, pediatric dry scalp has no effect on your baby and often goes away on its own. If you are a parent of a baby who has cradle cap, it is not a sign that you are doing anything says the Ohio State University Medical Center.
Expert Insight
In some cases, pediatric dry scalp spreads instead of resolving. While olive oil treatments can help to remove the scales and flakes, they cannot control a chronic dry scalp problem. Sometimes, pediatric dry scalp spreads beyond the head. Family Doctor.org explains that the condition can spread to the face, neck and the inner folds of the arms, legs and groin. An evaluation by your baby's pediatrician can determine the best course of action.
Member Comments