cradle cap

1moremakes4 wrote: I don't even know if I spelled that right.

Kamryn has developed cradle cap in the last week or so. I have used baby oil on it, rubbing it in with a little brush, but it doesn't seem to do much good. She's also been sratching at it the last couple days.
Any suggestions on how to clear it up or do I just have to wait it out??

EvesMom replied: I keep hearing about this cradle cap. Could you tell me what it is? I'm curious.

TeagansMom609 replied: Teagan had it. I also thought using baby oil would help it but thats not the case. Baby oil is acutally the last thing you want to use on it because the scales (cradle cap) is actually build up of oils on the baby's head. So your adding oil on top of oil. Thats what my pediatrician told me anyway and it makes sense. I washed her hair more than usual and when I did I would gently comb through her hair with a little fine tooth baby comb. The baby brush was TOO soft to get the scales off. Using a little comb helped alot.

coasterqueen replied: I used a comb dipping it in a glass of water to loosen up the dry skin and brush it out, but for the most part I just let it be and it resolved itself, like my PED told me it would. Megan had cradle cap something AWFUL.

1moremakes4 replied:
you'll know it when you see it... the top of Kamryn's head, from the hairline at her forehead back, looks scally. There's little flakes like dry skin. I've heard some babies get it worse, where it's more "bubbly" rather than dry looking. Supposably it doesn't hurt them at all, but Kamryn's been scratching it, so maybe it's itchy.

EvesMom replied: Thanks for the info. So, it's like a bad case of dandruff?

CAMSMOM1 replied: Cameron had cradle cap. It look like really bad dandruff.


But I looked it up for you in my book, "What to Expect the First Year" and this is what it said:

"Mild cradle cap, often responds well to a brisk message with Mineral Oils or Petroleum Jelly to loosen up the scales, followed by a thorough shampoo to remove them and the oil. Tough cases, in which flaking is heavy and/or brownish patches and yeloow crustiness are present, may benefit from the daily use of an anti-seborrheic shampoo an/or ointment that contains sulfar salicylates (make sure to keep out of baby's eyes) after the oil treatment.

Cradle cap usually worsens when the scalp sweats, keeping it cool and dry may also help-so don't put a hat on baby unless absolutly necessary.
Occasionally, cradle cap will persist through the first year. "


I hope this helps. Mineral Oils/Petroleum Jelly...(not baby oil) works.

My son cleared up after 2 months. And in most babies it doesn't last a year like the above quote, it was saying in severe cases it could last a year. But if you are treating it now, it should clear up soon.

Ann

Edward's Mommy replied: Edward's doctor told me to use adult dandruff shampoo, but I thought that would burn his eyes and I didn't want that. I just brushed his hair everyday until it went away!

Bamamom replied: Tripp had cradle cap just a few weeks ago. I rubbed petroleum jelly on his head for a few moments and then shampooed his hair immediately. After towel drying I brushed it and the scales came right off. 3 days of this totally cleared his case up.

Hope it works for you too!

1moremakes4 replied:
that's good to know...I've been putting a knit hat on her when I notice her scratching. I think I left it on her all day Sunday.

shelbysmom replied: I also found that Johnsons baby shampoo made it worse. I use Aveno baby shampoo and body. It works very well, and I too used the baby comb not the brush work it out.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Logan had it for what seemed like months on end. His ped said that kids with sensitive skin and eczema (like Logan) seem to get worse cases of cradle cap. I tried the vaseline thing once, but that was a nightmare to wash out. I ended up using olive oil. It worked for us, and I also used a soft toothbrush to brush his scalp. The baby brushes just weren't strong enough.