What is Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap appears in the form of yellow or gray scalp flakes which concentrate into clusters or even the entire scalp. It is very common in babies at the age of few weeks to one year old.

This phenomenon does not affect health but it causes disfiguring. However, in some cases if the cradle cap on the child’s head is rash infected, it can causes infections or sebaceous nevus ^[1][2].

What causes Cradle Cap?

Cause of forming cradle cap may be due to excessive secretion of mucus of cystic glands. This can make sticky dead skin cells fasten to the scalp.

Some causes may lead to increased mucus secretion is: maternal hormones still circulating in the baby’s blood; immature digestive system does not have enough biotin absorption; the lack of essential vitamins and minerals effectively; infrequent shampooing.

Cradle cap can also occur in children with atopic dermatitis. Besides, children may experience lumpy skin or acne tiny, mostly in the cheeks and forehead regions.

Cradle cap is a favorable environment for the Pityrosporum ovale fungus’ development that can make the baby itching. In some rare cases, it can spread to other skin areas of the baby.

As children grow up, cradle cap becomes fewer, and when they are one year old it may be entirely eliminated. If cradle cap is just a thin layer, it is a normal physiological phenomenon. In contract, if it plays into thick foundation plastered to the hairline, it will cause itch so the baby will scratch their heads frequently. This leads to infectious complications in the scalp.

Cradle Cap Symptoms

Here are the common signs of cradle cap:

• Hard patchy scales on the scalp.
• Hair loss.
• Greasy and chapped skin.
• Children may cry
• Inflammation, drainage, instant boil…

Here are the top 20 home remedies for cradle cap that can make yous surprised for their powerful and instant effects…

1. Shea Butter

Shea butter is one of very good natural home remedies for the treating of cradle cap. It can enter into the skin without any side effects. That is the reason why it is very safe to the baby’s soft and tender skin.

Take some Shea butter to cover the cradle cap areas. Let it be there for about 20 minutes. After that, gently scrub the cradle cap by a soft Toothed Comb. Finally, rinse off baby’s head with water and shampoo then wipe with a soft and clean cotton towel.

2. Vaseline

Vaseline can be used to treat cradle cap effectively. It is very convenient and easy to apply at home ^[3].

Take an enough amount of Vaseline and apply it to the affected areas. Leave it for all night for the best effect. In the next morning, the cradle will be softened and easy to remove. Just need to use a soft toothed comb to rub and remove the scales from your baby’ scalp.

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut should be one of the very first home remedies for cradle cap. This natural home remedy is totally safe for your baby ^[4].

Take an enough amount of coconut oil and apply it to the head skin. Make sure that it covers all the affected areas. Then you can remove the flakes by scrubbing with a soft toothed comb. Finally, wash off the baby’ head with fresh water and a suitable shampoo and wipe with a soft towel. Read more: Home Remedies For Diaper Rash.

4. Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is another kind of natural oil that you can use to remove the cradle cap in your baby ^[4].

Take the oil and cover it well onto the baby’ head. Wait for some hours so that the cradle is softened. Next, wash off to remove the oil with water and shampoo. While washing, use a soft towel to rub the scalp gently in a circular motion. Finally wipe your baby with a clean and soft towel.

5. Olive Oil

Olive oil is use for a wide range of purposes; include removing cradle cap in baby. It is also very safe to the tender skin of baby.

Take a little amount of olive oil and apply to the head scalp. Let it sit on for at least 15 minutes. The oil will soften the hard and dry scales so it can be easy to remove. After the period of time, gently rub the cradle with a soft toothed comb or clean soft washcloth. Read more: How To Get Rid of Milia.

6. Fine Toothed Comb

A fine toothed comb is very necessary for helping remove the cradle cap.

After softening the hard scales, a soft and fine toothed comb will be very helpful in picking out the flakes. So you should be careful in choosing a toothed comb to help your baby get relief from the cradle.

However you should notice not to put a lot of pressure or it can cause pain and lead to the blooding.

7. Baby Shampoo

A suitable shampoo is very important to the skin health. It can affect directly to the scalp. A good baby shampoo can be helpful in treating cradle cap. So you should be very careful in choosing the one that is suitable for your baby.

Wet your baby head with water so that the scales can be softened. Then apply an enough amount of shampoo and gently scrub the scalp. After that, wash off with warm water and use a soft toothed comb to pick out the scales.

8. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil can be an optional choice for removing cradle cap. However the oil is very strong to the baby skin so it shouldn’t be apply directly to the scalp ^[5].

To apply the oil safely, you need to dilute the oil by adding some almond oil with the rate of 1:10. Apply the mixture to the affected areas and let it be there for at least 15 minutes. After that, remove the scales with a toothed comb.

9. Almond Oil

Almond oil is totally safe for the sensitive skin of baby.

Apply the almond oil directly to the affected areas and let it be there for a few minutes. Then use a toothed comb to rub and gently remove the scales. Finally, wash off with water and wipe out with a soft cotton towel.

10. Breast Milk

Babies are dependent on breast milk for the first months in their life. This has been practised for thousands of years and scientists also confirmed the health benefits of breast milk.

What mothers might not notice is that breast milk can actually serve as one of the best home remedies for cradle cap. Therefore, in addition to making your baby consume it every day, you can actually take it and use it to rinse the baby’s head a few times per day to help them get rid of this problem quickly.

If you have problems with producing breast milk, you can check Home Remedies to Increase Breast Milk.

11. Petroleum Jelly

Having a lot of moisture, petroleum jelly is a great response regarding what to do for cradle cap. Thanks to petroleum jelly, oily scales will be lossened up and crusts will be quickly gone.

How to do:

• Petroleum jelly should be applied directly on the scalp
• Massage this area for a while before leaving it in 60 minutes
• Take warm water to make the baby’s hair wet
• A soft brush should be used to remove all crusts

12. Avocado Oil

Normally, fungal infections are responsible for cradle cap. Some mentioned home remedies for cradle cap deal with them perfectly, such as tea tree oil. Yet, this oil makes parents nervous because of its strong qualities. In this case, avocado oil is the best solution. It contains many important nutrients itself, amplifying the power of tea tree oil as a cradle cap cure.

How to do:

• Combine avocado oil and tea tree oil with the ration 10:1
• Apply the mixture and massage the baby’s scalp
• 15 minutes later, use mild shampoo to rinse the scalp

Nonetheless, the mixture should not have direct contact with baby’s nose, mouth or eyes.