Cradle Cap is generally the name given to the thick yellow scurf on the scalp of children under a year old. This occurs soon after birth and generally is completely gone by the time a child is a year old. Some babies have this from a one or two weeks of life, and others from a few months, while others never seem to have this problem at all.
Cradle cap starts quite suddenly with the scalp becoming thickly coated with greasy yellowish scales, which stick to the scalp and may extend to the eyebrows, behind the ears, and neck folds. The skin may be slightly red beneath the scales but it is not sore or hot to touch. This condition does not cause any discomfort and does not mean that baby is unwell, and it does not itch. Often it will simply go away and not come back.
When this happens in the first few weeks of life it is often due to persistent secretion of vernix, the greasy coating that baby is born with. As this dries up the scales fall off and the scalp becomes clear.
Cradle cap which occurs later is often due to infantile seborrhoeic eczema and may also affect the groin, and the skin under the arms. In most cases this will clear by itself but, if you are concerned you can try the following;-
1) You can use a gentle shampoo and tepid water to wash the affected skin daily. Don't use harsh shampoo which is recommended for adult dandruff.
2) Massage warmed olive or grape seed oil into the scalp to losen the scales. Leave this on for an hour before shampooing with a mild shampoo.
3) Massage aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment into the scalp if it remains scaly. Leave this on for several hours before washing off with warm water. You do not need shampoo as the aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment will be enough. If the emulsifying ointment is very thick stand it in a dish of warm water to soften it before using.
If Cradle cap is on other parts of the body then see your family doctor so that an appropriate treatment may be prescribed.
Dream-Angus.com
Posts
