Clinically known as infantile seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap is a noncontagious skin problem that commonly affects infants, typically appearing within the first three months of life. Cradle cap is characterized by a scaly, patchy rash on a baby's scalp, and occurs when overactive sebaceous glands secrete oils that prevent old skin cells from shedding. Although cradle cap generally disappears on its own, natural remedies may help to treat it.
Types
There are several ways to treat cradle cap without the use of medications or special shampoos. As the MayoClinic.com explains, gently rubbing your fingertips or a washcloth over your baby's scalp can help loosen the scales and improve the appearance of the rash. If the scales are stubborn and don't loosen easily, massage several drops of mineral oil or petroleum jelly into the affected area, leaving it to soak for a few minutes and then washing your baby's hair. This can soften the dead skin cells and make them easier to scrape off. BabyCenter recommends leaving a small amount of almond or olive oil on your baby's scalp for 15 minutes, and then removing the flakes with a soft brush or fine-toothed comb.
Time Frame
When opting for a natural remedy, you may need to perform multiple oil treatments or gentle rubbing sessions before the cradle cap is visibly diminished. In some cases, cradle cap flares up intermittently and may require treatment even after earlier episodes have subsided. With or without treatment, cradle cap typically resolves on its own within eight to 12 months, and rarely lasts past the first year of life, according to DrGreene.com.
Benefits
Using a natural treatment for cradle cap can help relieve your child's rash without the use of harsh shampoos or medicated topical treatments. As DrGreene.com explains, common seborrhea shampoos often contain selenium, salicylic acid, tar and other ingredients that can irritate an infant's eyes and cause discomfort. Natural treatments can be a gentler and less painful method for relieving cradle cap.
Considerations
Because cradle cap is a temporary condition and poses no health hazard to your baby, any treatment -- whether natural or over-the-counter -- is generally unnecessary and is useful mostly for aesthetic purposes. In severe cases, prescription medications or seborrhea shampoos may be more effective than natural remedies, and if your baby's scalp is inflamed, your doctor may recommend a cortisone ointment.
Warning
When rubbing your baby's scalp to remove scales, do so gently to avoid further inflaming the rash. If your baby's scalp is extremely irritated, red, swollen, inflamed, or oozes yellow or bloody fluids, take your child to the doctor, as this may indicate an infection requiring antibiotics. In some cases, other medical conditions can mimic cradle cap; consult your pediatrician if the cradle cap persists beyond your child's first birthday or is accompanied by other unusual symptoms.
