Cradle Cap is a patchy, yellowish, greasy, scaly appearance on the scalp, which usually is the first skin trouble in toddlers. It is neither painful nor itchy, but it looks gross. Mostly it appears to newborn babies in the first three months and the condition is known as neonatal seborrhoeic dermatitis or infantile.
Cradle cap also is common in adults and the condition in adults is known as seborrhoeic eczema or seborrhoeic dermatitis. It happens to a variety of reasons in babies and you can use these following DIY remedies to cure cradle cap on your child’s scalp.
Shea Butter
One of the best natural remedies that are smooth and light on your baby’s super sensitive scalp is Shea butter. Baby’s scalp easily absorbs Shea butter without leaving any greasy residue, which otherwise leads to excess development of oil and dandruff. Apply Shea butter gently over the scalp and leave it for 20 minutes. Take a soft-toothed comb and use it to pick out flakes. Use a mild shampoo to wash baby’s head in the end.
Vaseline
Vaseline application is yet another very simple yet extremely effective application that cures cradle cap conveniently. Apply Vaseline on the affected area and leave it overnight. The next morning you will see how soft the scales have become, gently comb with a soft-toothed comb and pick all flakes.
Coconut Oil
Apply some coconut oil ob baby’s head and cover the entire area with a cloth or a cap. This procedure also makes the cradle cap soft enabling an easy removal. Ensure after combing you wash your baby’s head with a mild shampoo so that there is no grease left on the scalp that might lead to unnecessary production of oil and dandruff.
Olive oil
Give your baby’s scalp a nice and a gentle massage everyday with olive oil, and you will see a marked decrease in the cradle cap flakes. Let oil sit for a while, comb with a clean and a soft toothbrush or a comb.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil can work wonders to cure cradle cap but it is toxic. Baby skin is so sensitive that it cannot withstand its application. You have to mix tea tree oil with almond oil in the 1:10 ratio and then only apply it on the scalp. Follow the same procedure, apply, and let it sit, take flakes off with a soft-toothed comb, and then wash head with a mild baby shampoo. Ensure it does not contact with eyes, nose, and mouth.
The patchy, yellowish, greasy appearance on the scalp of newborn babies is the cradle cap that takes time to go on its own. However, if you use some natural home remedies then you can make it vanish quickly off your baby’s head.
