Home treatment of cradle cap Loosen the crusts by massaging the scalp with mineral oil (such as baby oil) at night, then wash the hair with a baby shampoo the next morning, gently lifting the crusts off with a soft brush (a soft toothbrush can be good for this). Try this each day until your baby's scalp looks clearer.
It usually starts and goes away before your baby's first birthday. Cradle cap doesn't need treatment and clears up on its own within a few months. Simple, at-home care (like gently shampooing your baby's scalp) may help speed things along.
If the scales don't loosen easily, rub petroleum jelly or a few drops of mineral oil onto your baby's scalp. Let it soak into the scales for a few minutes, or hours if needed. Then brush and shampoo the hair as usual.
The cause of cradle cap isn't known. One factor may be hormones that pass from the mother to the baby before birth.
We recommend Mustela's Foam Shampoo because it's formulated to gently cleanse and to rinse away the flakes associated with cradle cap. Massage the shampoo gently (remember not to pick or peel cradle cap!)
I recommend using coconut oil, or cocoa butter. They're natural and easy to find at stores. Let it sit for a few minutes. The oil will soften and dissolve the cradle cap so that the dead skin can “float up” off the scalp.
Apply the baby oil to the scalp before bathing, then shampoo while gently massaging the scale with your finger. You can also carefully use a baby brush during your baby's bath to help remove the scale in their hair. You can also use a baby comb. Never scratch or pick at cradle cap, as this could cause an infection.
Unless the cradle cap is bothersome to you, it is perfectly okay to leave it alone. If you choose to treat it, buy an anti-dandruff shampoo (no prescription needed) at the drugstore and wash hair twice a week.
Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis)
Infants who don't have enough biotin often develop this scaly scalp condition. However, no studies have shown that biotin supplements -- given in formula or breast milk -- effectively treat cradle cap.
Skin treatments
When you add in its moisturizing properties, massaging breast milk onto eczema patches or cradle cap (the scaly, yellowish patches that sometimes develop on a newborn's scalp) can swiftly clear up the problem spots.
It almost always goes away on its own. If cradle cap bothers you, you can wash the scaling off your baby's scalp: Rub your baby's scalp with baby oil (or mineral oil, vegetable oil, or petroleum jelly) to help lift the crusts and loosen the scales.
When it comes to baby hair care, we recommend an overnight hair treatment using Kokoso Baby Coconut Oil. Simply smooth the oil through the hair and leave overnight to work its natural magic. Wash with two shampoos the following morning.
Wash your baby's hair once a day with baby shampoo. Loosen the scales with a small, soft-bristled brush or fine-toothed comb before rinsing off the shampoo. If the scales don't loosen easily, rub petroleum jelly or a few drops of mineral oil onto your baby's scalp.
Massage Gently: Apply a few drops of oil on your fingertips. Gently massage the oil onto your baby's scalp in circular motions. Avoid applying too much pressure. Leave it On: Allow it to settle for at least 30 minutes or overnight for deep conditioning.
How often does my newborn need a bath? There's no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby's skin.
The exact cause of cradle cap isn't known. It's likely due to a combination of things. Too much skin oil (sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles and a type of yeast found on the skin called Malassezia may play roles in the development of seborrheic dermatitis.
Eddie's Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and Body Wash. This shampoo Opens a new window is medicated to help fight flaking, itching, scaling… you name it. It's the first over-the-counter cradle cap shampoo with pyrithione zinc (which is used in adult dandruff shampoos, too), and doubles as a body wash.
A: The Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment may be used for cradle cap. It is an ointment so you will have to rub it gently on the scalp using caution to avoid the eyes.
Scabs on the scalp can emerge due to folliculitis, dermatitis, psoriasis or an allergic reaction to chemical products, like hair dye or or hair treatments. It is rare for scabs to form due to severe health conditions, like skin cancer.
Do not use olive oil. Reason: may increase the growth of yeast. Cradle cap lotions for loosening up the scales are also available without a prescription. Apply the lotion 15 minutes before shampooing.
Babies usually start crawling when they are between 7 and 12 months old. Before they can crawl, your baby has to develop skills like head and arm control, sitting up without support, rolling over and holding their weight on their arms and legs.
If your baby does get cradle cap, it typically goes away on its own without medical treatment before baby reaches 12 months. Wash your baby's hair and scalp once a day with a mild shampoo, then use a soft brush or washcloth to lightly brush baby's scalp and loosen the scales when possible.