What do you do about persistant cradle cap.

Danielle - posted on 01/24/2009

I already replied once, but just thought I should have gave you the name of another awesome lotion. Eucerine cream is used for skin issues and even mild eczema. I used this sometimes on mine because it is so amazing.

Danielle - posted on 01/24/2009

Keep doing the oil thing and then keep baby lotion on his head all the time. I never had it get that bad, but my middle one had slight cradle cap also and all I did was put lotion on all the time. Good luck!

Brandi - posted on 01/24/2009

my son had terrible cradle cap and we tried every thing then somone said try T-Gel it is a dandruff shampoo and after the first ime we used it it cleared most of it up the second time it was gone you have to be carfull not to get it in his eyes and it might burn his scalp alittle the first time but it is well worth it.

Rina - posted on 01/24/2009

Good to hear from the Moms who agree with not using the harsh stuff on their babies (perhaps even themselves!). Cradle cap may be unsightly, but it is better than doing unknown harm by putting chemicals on baby. Here's some more info:

Most pediatricians specializing in natural skin care warn parents to avoid petroleum jelly, which traps moisture against the skin and is also a common allergen.

Shampooing schedules should be determined by the amount of hair your baby has and how oily it is. Most babies with  don't need to be shampooed all that often during their first year. (Only do so as needed.) When you do shampoo, a mild shampoo is best. You can recognize them by what they don't contain: synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, or highly allergenic and irritating preservatives including quaternium 15, imidazolidinyl urea, and parabens.

Also, avoid products containing diethanolamine (DEA) or triethanolamine (TEA), both of these interact with nitrites -- which may be inadvertently added as preservatives and not shown on ingredient lists -- forming carcinogenic nitrosamines that rapidly penetrate the skin. You will often see these ingredients abbreviated and listed as compounds with other ingredients such as TEA-sodium lauryl sulfate or cocamide-DEA.

The gentlest preservatives include citrus seed extract, phenoxyethanol, and vitamins A, C, and E (also known respectively as retinyl palmitate, ascorbic acid, and alpha tocopherol). Most baby products you find in health food stores rely on these preservatives.

Though plain water usually does the job, occasionally a small amount of soap may be required. If so, use a mild soap containing olive, coconut, or palm oil and possibly herbal extracts such as calendula. (All pediatricians recommend avoiding antibacterial soaps.) After soaping, replenish the skin's oils by using a soothing oil or lotion containing saturated oils such as coconut or sesame, with herbs such as calendula or arnica. Few babies are sensitive to these.

This info was taken directly from this site: http://skin-care.health-cares.net/baby-s...

Jaime - posted on 01/24/2009

Quoting Rina:

Dandruff shampoo has strong chemicals and baby's skin is highly absorbent. Try to avoid that route and baby oil is petroleum based and also really not good to use on such a young child. Stick with the olive oil and be patient. He won't have it forever.

I strongly agree with Rina! T-Gel is harsh and burns. I have personally used it on myself (eczema in college due to stress-gross, I know) and I would not recommend it to be used on a baby's head. Stick with the olive oil treatment. Take a tablespoon and rub/scrub it in baby's hair. Hair must be dry. Let it set on the scalp for 10 min or so. Then take a fine comb (small teeth black comb) and comb baby's hair out-not too hard, but enough to get the scales loose.  The scalp will look a little red, but it really works!!! Afterwards, I would usey a little baby shampoo and wash baby's hair to prevent it from looking greasy.

Mellisa - posted on 01/24/2009

Quoting Rina:

Why are people so quick to put harsh chemicals on babies? Does no one read labels?

yes i agree and baby oil will just burn the baby if u take them out in the sun!! thats why i suggested the baby shampoo and fine toothed comb method as u need to wash babys hair anyway.

Mellisa - posted on 01/24/2009

ok this sounds far out but it works!!! when you have bub in the bath next and r washing their hair use a plastic nit comb and run it through their hair it will take a few strokes but it lifts the cradle cap and it doesnt hurt bub my last 2 babie have both suffered it and thats what i done and if you keep doing it when u see it starting to come back u should be right ;) hope this helps hun

Cindy - posted on 01/24/2009

I was told when my baby developed cradle cap that I was bathing her to often. I was bathing her 2 times a day I was told to only sponge bath her and bath her full every other day and when I did to add a drop or 2 baby oil to her water. Then rub it on her head as well. This seamed to help.

Susanah - posted on 01/24/2009

my son had that as well I and I used baby oil but I would put the bottle in hot water to warm up the oil a lil and then put it on...like hot water from the tap...then you test the oil just like you would a bottol  to see how hot it is be for you would put it on the baby....

Allison - posted on 01/24/2009

My son had really bad cradle cap too that just did not want to go! We tried olive oil and the T-gel to no avail, but what finally worked was good ol' vasoline petroleum jelly. Let it sit for a good amount of time, 15-20 min or so then comb-not brush. That's what worked for us, good luck!

Carol - posted on 01/24/2009

Olive oil to get rid of it, Head and Shoulders to maintain a clear scalp. Also, don't wash the hair everyday- if  you can resist!

Amanda - posted on 01/24/2009

i used johnsons baby oil... let sit for 5 to 15 mins... soften it up.. then use a fine tooth comb and brush in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Darea - posted on 01/24/2009

Johnson's baby oil worked for us..just put a little on and rub it in well...you might have to do it for a week or so but it should work. Our sons went away after that for good.

Nicole - posted on 01/24/2009

Quoting Rina:

Why are people so quick to put harsh chemicals on babies? Does no one read labels?

I agree totally, I would see my childs doctor before using something that says it is to be used by adults only. Its there for a reason, I wouldnt take the risk!! I take suggestions to my doctor that I have heard to see if he thinks they are reasonable, and if he says it is then go ahead and try it!! Im sure a doctor could also give some ideas for treatments that do not have steriods! Good Luck!!

Rina - posted on 01/24/2009

Why are people so quick to put harsh chemicals on babies? Does no one read labels?

Rina - posted on 01/24/2009

Why are people so quick to put harsh chemicals on babies? Does no one read labels?

Sarah - posted on 01/24/2009

I was told to use Noxzema...it sounds harsh, but it actually works!!

Amanda - posted on 01/24/2009

Don't give your son a bath everyday and rub a little baby oil on his head. Not too much though. It will make his hair greasy looking.

Rina - posted on 01/24/2009

Dandruff shampoo has strong chemicals and baby's skin is highly absorbent. Try to avoid that route and baby oil is petroleum based and also really not good to use on such a young child. Stick with the olive oil and be patient. He won't have it forever.

Kaysha - posted on 01/24/2009

it is completely normal for kids to get cradle cap my daughter got it pretty bad also. as for the olive oil i don't know how that works but the doctor told me to use baby oil and put it on there head and let it sit for a lil while and then comb it with a fine brushed comb and to do that a couple times a day for about 2 weeks or until it was gone....good luck

Jodie - posted on 01/24/2009

I know this sounds crazy dandriff shampoo will get it out -  just be careful of the eyes.   My daughter and son both had it and after one wash it hasnt come back.

Jodie - posted on 01/24/2009

I know this sounds crazy dandriff shampoo will get it out -  just be careful of the eyes.   My daughter and son both had it and after one wash it hasnt come back.

Christine - posted on 01/24/2009

My two sons both had cradle cap and I used baby oil and let it soak then in the bath washed and brushed it out. I had to do this every wash os everysecond for a few months but it is now gone.

Carole - posted on 01/24/2009

i used baby oil on babes for cradle cap. Put oil on babies head and wait about 5 minutes. Take baby brush or comb and gently comb out

Jen - posted on 01/24/2009

My kids had it and I used johnson baby oil, the oil or the creme, you will find if you use too much they look like they have greasy hiar but rub a towel over thier head and get the excess off and that can help that problem. And if they don't mind scub thier lil head every once in awhile b/c it will stay if you don't try and scrub it off.

One night put it on a little heavy and the next morning give him a bath and scrub his head, it may look red but it goes away. It does work!

Teresa - posted on 01/24/2009

My daughter had a really bad case. I used Burt's Bees almond oil and scrubbed my daughter's head with her brush and used California Baby Tea Tree Shampoo/Wash and it was completely gone in a couple of days.

Marie - posted on 01/24/2009

I try not to give him a bath more then every other day. It's nearly gone and you can tell but it's not leaving!!! The water is in Roseville so it's not bad, and I use a Hibiscus shampoo and bath wash.

Claire - posted on 01/24/2009

Hi Marie



Try the olive oil, but instead of 15mins leave over night, make sure theres a towel down or an old sheet.....if not baby oil. Oilatum is good in the bath, very slippy though, or try aqueous cream as the shampoo.....its a cream to use as soap for babies with excema.

The dentinox cradle cap shampoo is good too, my son is 3 and it was only last summer we finally managed to get rid of it completly.



hope it helps xx

Gemma - posted on 01/24/2009

Hi have you tried Dentinox cradle cap shampoo its hasnt got steroids in it  and can be used as an everyday shampoo, my 9 month old had it really bad when she was about the same age and this shampoo really helped. You can get it from any supermarket or chemist.

Penny - posted on 01/24/2009

What type of water do you live in? Do you wash his head every day? I find my daughter gets dry skin if I wash her more than twice a week. I just use plain water in the bath with 3 drops of lavender in it and a cotton flannel to rub off any dry skin anywhere on her. My health visitor said that most people wash their babies too often and that the chemicals in the water, even if you use rainwater, often cause more problems than it solves.