02/02/2024
👶🌟 Cradle Cap in Toddlers: Your Guide to a Healthier Scalp 🌟👶
**Dealing with Cradle Cap**
If your baby has developed crusty yellow or brown scales on their scalp, they most likely have cradle cap. This common skin condition isn't dangerous but can be frustrating to treat. The good news is there are steps you can take at home to help get rid of cradle cap flakes and the associated redness.
**What Causes Cradle Cap?**
Cradle cap is not caused by poor hygiene or allergies, it happens when dead skin cells don't shed normally. Sebum oil can then get trapped under these skin cells, forming greasy yellow or brown scales. The cause of cradle cap is not clear, but it cannot be caught from other babies. Cradle cap often first appears around 2-6 weeks and goes away on its own by around 6-12 months.
**Tips for Treating Cradle Cap at Home**
While cradle cap will resolve on its own, you can speed up healing and relieve any irritation with some simple home treatments:
Massage your baby's scalp with oil before brushing out the scales with a soft baby brush or cloth. Coconut oil works well.
Gently shampoo and rinse your baby's hair using a baby shampoo. Pat dry instead of rubbing vigorously.
Comb damp hair with a soft brush after washing.Your baby's hair may come away with the scales. Do not worry if this happens as it will soon grow back.
Apply non-medicated moisturiser to the scalp after bathing.
**Talk to your GP if**
The cradle cap is all over your baby's body.
The crusts leak fluid or bleed.
Areas around the cradle cap look red or swollen.
Stay patient and keep gently loosening scales each day. With some TLC at bath time, your baby's cradle cap should disappear before their first birthday! Let us know if you have any other tips for dealing with this pesky but harmless skin condition.
