Among the many changes that a new baby brings to a home, the most common would be the heightened consciousness of parents of anything that may prove harmful to their new bundle of joy. For example, parents who used to have no qualms about danger or risk or the slightest sickness are now conscious whenever anything red appears on their baby’s face or skin. New parents also tend to be alarmed especially when something like a scaly crust of skin appears on the baby’s scalp: this is a condition known as cradle cap.
Termed aptly so since it happens typically to newborns, cradle cap can feel greasy when touched, and it tends to be yellow-brown in color, giving the indication that it is dirt stuck onto baby’s head. Typically, the condition appears in small patches on the baby’s head, although it can also come about along the eyebrows and cover their head like a cap.
What causes cradle cap? Experts believe that it is caused by a build-up from an overproduction of an oily substance that the human skin produces. This substance is called sebum, and it mixes with dead skin cells on a baby’s scalp, which forms the crust. The condition is highly common and can appear on and off over the first 6 to 8 months of a baby’s life. In some rare cases, children can keep having the condition right into early childhood. The important thing to remember is that the condition is actually harmless, although of course, parents can worry about how the baby looks.
Even if the condition is harmless, parents will always want to know the best way to treat the condition. The first thing to remember is that these treatments are typically aimed at making the crust softer, making it easier to remove. From that point, the best way to remove them is by rubbing gently on the flakes before you lip them off. Be sure to avoid rubbing too much, as excessive rubbing can irritate the baby’s skin. Some experts recommend rubbing some cream, oil, or ointment on the affected areas, and then rubbing gently on the flakes, or using a soft brush on the area. If it still does not come off, it may be best just to leave it be; picking small sections is not advisable, as it can cause bleeding in the same way that picking a dry scab can cause bleeding.
The following are treatments that some mothers have found helpful in softening and consequently removing cradle cap on their babies’ scalp:
1. Jojoba oil – A small amount applied onto the scalp right after bath time, and left on for several hours or even overnight, reportedly helps in softening the flakes. On the next bath session, rub a cloth hand washer gently over the area; gently pat dry with a towel, and rub off any crust pieces that have been loosened by the towel. A baby brush with soft bristles also helps in gently lifting stubborn parts of the crust. A fine comb, such as those used in removing head lice, may also help in removing smaller pieces from baby’s hair. This may be done daily, or once every two days, until the cradle cap clears, as the first application is not likely to get rid of the entire thing in one go.
2. Olive oil – This is another oil that some mothers have found helpful for easing the condition. Other moms opt to have evening primrose oil, lavender oil, or Vitamin A added to the mix. Of course, be sure to consult with your pediatrician as well as a qualified aromatherapist when it comes to using essential oils onto a newborn baby’s skin.
3. Petroleum jelly – When massaged onto crusty cradle cap, petroleum jelly can actually help. Of course, this is easier to use for babies who have little or no hair, as it can get messy for babies with thick hair.
The important thing to remember is that cradle cap is essentially a harmless condition, and generally goes away on its own. If you really want to do something about it, be sure you go as natural as possible, so as to avoid unnecessary side effects. But in the case of essential oils, be sure to cover the bases by letting your doctor know of your plans, so that he can best advice you about what to do with cradle cap on your baby’s scalp.
