As your baby’s skin adjusts to the outside world, it’s common for newborns to develop skin conditions. Although usually benign and fleeting, conditions such as baby acne, milia, toxic erythema and cradle cap (also known as seborrheic dermatitis) can appear alarming. It can feel impossible to ignore cradle cap and let it resolve itself, so many people wonder about safe and effective treatments. If you notice scales on your baby’s scalp, you may wonder what you’re looking at and worry about their cause. The crib lid may look unpleasant, but is it bothering your baby? Here, we will tackle cradle cap and look at some of the easiest and most effective remedies on how to get rid of it.
Cradle cap refers to red, white or yellow oily scales on the scalp. The medical name for cradle cap is “seborrheic dermatitis”. Sometimes it can also appear on the forehead, bridge of the nose, behind the ears, or in the diaper area and skin folds.1,2,3 Although it may seem uncomfortable, it usually bothers the parents more than the baby.2 Over ⅔ of babies are affected by cradle cap at some point in their first three months, and if left untreated, it usually goes away on its own.2
Experts have not identified the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis. There are a few different theories about its causes, but it’s likely a combination of factors. Similar to how hormones can cause skin problems like acne during puberty and pregnancy, your baby’s skin can react to pregnancy hormones and postpartum. These hormones can cause overactive oil glands. This increased oiliness can cause old skin cells to stick to the scalp instead of just falling off, causing flakes to appear. Overgrowth of a certain type of yeast on a baby’s scalp can also play a role in cradle cap.2
So, how do you get rid of the cradle cap? Although seborrheic dermatitis often goes away on its own over time, you may want to speed up the process. As always, consult your pediatrician before starting a new crib cap treatment. Here are 10 home remedies to try:
If you’re not sure how to treat your baby’s crib hat, it’s okay to leave it alone. Even if you do nothing, most babies outgrow it by age 1, but you’ll likely see improvement within two to eight weeks.1.4 It is not considered to be itchy, so it should not bother your baby.1 Crib cap is considered benign, meaning it is not harmful.5 It may be tempting, but don’t scratch or pick at the scale.6
There is no single best cradle cap oil — many oils and lotions like Vaseline, Aquaphor, mineral oil, baby oilor even coconut oil it can help dissolve excess oils that cause skin to stick to a scaly scalp. However, be sure to wash off the oil after treatment, as they can worsen base coat build-up if left in place.7
The ingredients in baby shampoo it can break down and wash away the scalp oils, reducing the flakes of skin that stick to the head in the cradle cap. As mentioned above, baby shampoo should also be used after an oil treatment or application.7 Use a mild or hypoallergenic shampoo, such as one without fragrance or added chemicals, so it won’t irritate your baby’s skin.
Another way to get rid of cradle cap is to massage their head with a towel. While you can wash your baby’s head using just your fingers, you can try spreading his shampoo on a towel to better massage his scalp. This can help further stir the oils while being gentle enough on their soft spots.7
While you shouldn’t pick or scratch, if your baby’s stubborn crib cap doesn’t respond to regular hair washing and over-the-counter oils and lotions, you can try to manually remove some of the flakes with a soft swing. brush with cap, comb or toothbrush. If you try to use your fingernail to pick the scales, you risk scratching the scalp, further irritating the skin and introducing infection.3
After applying an emollient such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline), let it sit for five to 10 minutes. Then rub the area gently with a towel or cradle cap brush. Then rinse off the conditioner and scales and pat dry. Finally, reapply the conditioner.7
Aloe gel or cream has proven ability to reduce base cap. Apply aloe twice a day to the affected areas for four to six weeks to see significant improvement in scaling.4 Again, choose a gel without fragrance or added ingredients that may irritate your baby’s skin.
Essential oils such as tea tree oil it can help reduce the presence of yeast on the skin, which may be contributing to your baby’s cot bed.4 Other essential oils, such as geranium and lemoncan reduce inflammation if applied topically.8 On the contrary, the aroma of these oils is very strong. On a baby’s sensitive skin, a strong fragrance can further irritate the skin.
If you try the cradle cap essential oil treatment, they should always be diluted in a transmission oilsuch as coconut oil. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of the essential oil to your favorite baby shampoo. Be sure to avoid the baby’s eyes when you rinse the oil out of their hair, as it can sting and burn the eyes. Some essential oils are not considered safe for infants, so consult your provider or other specialist before attempting this treatment.9
8. Dandruff shampoo
Dandruff shampoo containing zinc, selenium or coal tar and antifungal shampoos (such as ketoconazole/Nizoral) may be useful in the treatment of base cap. Because some of these shampoos contain medications or drugs, be sure to check with your pediatrician. If you have the green light to use dandruff shampoo to treat the lid, you can apply, lather, and leave it in place for five minutes before rinsing. Rinse well to avoid build-up and keep the foam away from baby’s face and eyes. You can use it every day or every other day until the symptoms subside. After that, use it every week to prevent symptoms from coming back.10
If your baby’s cradle cap is severe and does not improve, your doctor may prescribe a steroid shampoo or steroid cream such as fluoquinolone or betamethasone. These are not available over the counter, so you will need to speak to your provider. Although these treatments can be effective in improving the cot cover, you should only use them for a short time. They can cause thinning of the skin and spider veins if used for a prolonged period.10
Studies have shown that biotin Taking supplements can improve the symptoms of colic. If you are breastfeeding, consider supplementing your own diet with biotin. You can also talk to your pediatrician about adding a biotin supplement to your baby’s diet. Biotin is produced in the gut, and babies have immature intestines, so many babies have a biotin deficiency that can be linked to cot symptoms.4
The best way to prevent seborrheic dermatitis is to prevent excess oils from building up on the scalp. However, skin oils serve a purpose, so we don’t want to use anything too harsh or abrasive and strip the scalp oils completely. To prevent cradle cap, wash baby’s hair often with a mild shampoo and then rub gently with a towel or brush with soft bristles. After bathing, apply baby lotion or oil to replenish stripped oils and keep their skin hydrated.11
Most of the time, you don’t need to make a separate call or trip to the pediatrician about the crib cap. You can always bring it up at a regular checkup, but it usually goes away on its own or with some home remedies. However, if it doesn’t improve or continues to get worse, you can call your child’s doctor. They may prescribe a cream or shampoo to help get rid of cradle cap. If it still doesn’t improve after using this prescription, you should tell your provider.11 A dermatologist can also help.
Other situations in which you may want to call your doctor include:6
- A bleeding or dripping scalp
- Cradle cap that spreads to many other parts of the body
- Odor or foul odor from the scalp
- Swelling of the skin on the scalp
- The baby has obvious discomfort or irritation and you suspect it is related to the crib lid
The crib lid can be hard to ignore or leave alone. The little flakes seem so easy to pick up and remove. Most of the time, they will go away on their own if left alone. Despite the temptation to choose, it is better to ignore them because of the risk of infection. If your baby’s cradle cap is severe, there are many simple home remedies to try to get rid of it. Most of the time, a separate doctor visit for seborrheic dermatitis isn’t warranted, but you can talk to your provider about the safety of various treatments if it seems to be getting worse. For most babies, the crib hat will be gone as quickly as it came and you’ll be looking back at another fleeting memory from infancy.
