Baby Cradle Cap – Causes and How to Get Rid of Them

Cradle cap is typically no big deal. I’ll give you plenty of natural ways to treat and eliminate it with your newborn.  My beef comes in because my EIGHT YEAR OLD still has it!  Granted, it’s not horrible, but it is still present.  As a baby, it would come and go, but we just dealt with it and moved on.  More recently though, I realized, when braiding her hair, that she will deal with “dandruff” forever unless I start my research. So a digging I have gone. I’m going to start with infant cradle cap – because, honestly, most of you are here to read about that.  I’ll follow with childhood “cradle crap”, just in case, I’m not the only one still dealing with it!

Cradle Cap in Infancy

Let’s talk about what causes cradle cap first. Also known as seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap likely caused by the overproduction of the oil glands in the skin of the scalp. It mostly appears in first three months of new born baby. It not only attacks sensitive scalp of the baby, but also eyebrows, eyelids, and area around ears. The glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which cakes on the skin. The good news is that while it may be unsightly, it's usually not irritating or bothersome to babies.  This is the most common form of cradle cap. Symptoms Include:

• Greasy patches
• Yellowish or whitish scales
• Thick and crusty flakes
• Red and irritating skin
• Patchy skin flakes (dandruff)
• Infants may undergo hair loss

If your baby is also showing signs of dry skin patches elsewhere on the body, it may all be related to eczema.  This is a little trickier to handle than just your standard cradle cap. Some doctors will rule out eczema, but don’t be fooled; that doesn’t mean it is nothing.  Eczema and other forms of dry skin patches are typically related to a food allergy or sensitivity.  What does that mean?  It means that even if your child tests negative for allergies, a food (or foods) can still be effecting the gut causing issues that are effecting the skin.  If the skin is effected, the gut is affected. The most common allergies and sensitivities are gluten and dairy, as both inflame the gut and are filled with chemicals, hard to digest proteins, etc.  If you are formula feeding, the formula is probably to blame.  You can learn more about the best formula options on our blog HERE. If you are breastfeeding, a food that you are consuming may be triggering the problem.  Eliminating the harmful foods may take up to one month before final results are experienced.  It takes two weeks for the foods to completely leave the mother’s system, and another two weeks to leave baby’s. Causes: Cradle cap is neither allergic nor bacterial infection, but can be considered as an inflammatory condition (Which is why inflammatory foods could be the trigger). Cradle cap is a fungal infection that can be caused by the following:

• Hormones passed from mother to baby
• Antibiotics given to mother before the birth of the baby.
• Antifungal treatments
• Overstimulation of oil glands of baby
• Extreme weather
• Certain baby lotions, which include alcohol or other chemicals
• Irregular skin cleaning
• Oily skin
• Skin disorders
• Food allergies
• Growth of yeast in the digestive tract

Natural Cradle Cap Remedies: If it is truly just cradle cap, the following will work without the dried skin reappearing.  If the problem becomes a battle you are fighting, I would seriously advise that you start digging deeper into the food probability. So many people will tell you to grab the baby oil first, but please leave it on the store shelf. Baby oil is a mineral oil, which is a petroleum byproduct.  Yes, petroleum, as in, where your car’s gasoline comes from.  Mineral oils may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known carcinogens (cancer-causing).  These oils also cause skin to age prematurely, and have been linked to hormonal disruptions and immune system damage.

Natural Oils

Many natural, plant-based oils can work wonders on your baby’s cradle cap.  Try massaging coconut, olive, almond, or grapeseed oil onto your child’s scalp, then gently scrape away the flakes.  The oils will help loosen the flakes so that they are easily removed, as well as moisturize your baby’s skin. Almond oil is safe for treating cradle cap. Due to its light texture, almond oil penetrates into the skin quickly. When massaged directly into the scalp, it can help soften the scales and make it easier to rinse them out after shampooing.

• Combine almond oil and tea tree oil in a ratio of 10:1 and stir it well.
• Apply it on your baby’s head.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes.
• Remove the oily flakes gently with a soft baby brush.
• Use a baby shampoo to wash your baby’s hair.
• Repeat daily or every other day to get rid of cradle cap.

Coconut oil also works well as a natural treatment for cradle cap. It acts as a natural moisturizer and will loosen the cradle cap flakes while nourishing the scalp. Plus, its antifungal and antibacterial properties with help fight infections.

• Put a small amount of organic, solid coconut oil in the palm of your hand.
• Rub the oil in your palm until it becomes liquid form.
• Gently massage this liquid oil into the scalp or affected areas.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.
• Use a soft brush to gently remove the loose flakes.
• Do this once daily until you are satisfied with the result.

Olive Oil is recommended by The American Academy of Family Physicians to treat cradle cap. The healing and moisturizing properties of olive oil can help soften and loosen the flaky scales.

• Slightly warm a small amount of olive oil.
• Gently massage the oil into your baby’s scalp at bedtime.
• Leave it on overnight.
• The next morning, use a soft baby brush or cloth to gently remove any loose particles.
• Wash your baby’s hair with baby shampoo and warm water.
• Repeat daily or every other day, depending upon the severity of the condition.

Calendula

Calendula is a plant that has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, both of which will help ease your child’s cradle cap symptoms.  Look for calendula cream – it will contain the healing properties of the calendula, in an easy-to-apply, moisturizing cream.

Vinegar Blend

Blend one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water, and gently massage it onto your baby’s problem areas, prior to bath time.  Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse off in the bath. The vinegar will help prevent buildup of dead skin, which is what makes up the flakes/scales on your baby’s scalp.

Cradle Cap in Childhood

Piggy-backing off of the above, children with dandruff or cradle cap that continues to be a bother typically have a food sensitivity that has yet to be uncovered.  You can apply oil and scrap the head to help, but it will continue to come back until you have eliminated the underlying cause of the problem.  You may notice tiny bumps on the back of the bicep area, dry patches of skin randomly on the body, or nothing other than the flaky dried skin on the scalp.  All are signs that something in the body is off. Symptoms that can last into adulthood if not treated:

• Formation of dandruff
• Mild patches start developing on the scalp and face
• Itchy scales or patches
• Rashes start developing in oval or round patches
• Yellow or brown thick crust on patches
• Red rashes or sores on neck, face, groins, and armpits

Introducing an elimination diet is the best way to solve the issue.  GAPS, Whole30, and other gut healing options are out there.  Yes, they are hard, but you will learn so much from them!!  You may opt for IgG testing as well.  This is a food sensitivity test (done through blood draw), instead of an allergy test.  This is how we learned of our middle child’s food sensitivities! Preventative measures of reoccurrence can include: (however, reoccurrence means there is an underlying issue!! PLEASE figure out what it is and eliminate the problem instead of just masking it!)

• Avoid frequent shampooing
• Use a good natural shampoo with no chemicals
• Use a gentle exfoliator, i.e., baby combs with soft bristles
• Apply oil before shampooing
• Do not comb scaly skin with force
• Stick to breastfeeding if the child is still wanting to nurse
• Use a humidifier in the baby (or child’s) room to maintain a moist environment
• Rinse properly to remove traces of soap
• Use your fingers or clean washcloth on baby’s scalp while shampooing
• Use natural oils for massage

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