Cradle cap commonly known as milk crust or honeycomb disease is usually found in new born children and infants aged between one to three months. It is a yellow, patchy skin rash which is found on the scalp of such babies. One of the factors that lead to this disease is the overactive sebaceous glands that secrete oily/greasy substance called sebum.
Over secretion of the sebum is because of passage of hormones to the baby from the mother. Another cause may be due to fungal infection or yeast infection by malassezia that grows along with the bacteria in the sebum. This hormone disturbs the normal shedding process of the skin. Symptoms of cradle cap include patches of yellow and greasy scalp, flakes of skin on the scalp and crusty yellow areas. Sometimes, the affected area becomes red. Here are some home remedies to treat cradle cap:
Home Remedies For Cradle Cap
Coconut And Olive Oil Mixture
This is one of oldest natural home remedies with a pleasant smell. Both these oils have natural antifungal property, so massaging the baby with the mixture of these two oils softens the scales on the baby’s scalp.
You can also massage the baby with this mixture, such that the baby relaxes. Leave the oil on the baby’s scalp overnight and brush it off in the morning with baby comb.
Almond And Tea Tree Oil
Mix a small amount of tea tree oil with almond oil. Mixing tree tea oil enhances the natural skin healing capacity. But care should be taken that the tree tea oil should be taken in small amount as it can be irritable for the baby.
The ratio of almond oil to tea tree oil should be approximately 10:1. Massage the baby scalp with it and after a while comb/brush out the flakes from the scalp.
Baking Soda Paste
To make the baking soda paste, mix a small amount of baking soda with water. Rub this mixture on the baby’s scalp very gently, and then wash off this paste immediately.
You should wipe off the paste in upward direction to prevent the mixture from entering the baby’s eyes. The effect of this treatment is visible in a few days; this should be repeated at least once in day till the all the scales disappear.
Vaseline Jelly
Use of jelly (Vaseline) on the baby’s scalp softens the scales. Apply the jelly on the baby’s scalp and leave it overnight. In the morning, wash it with a mild baby shampoo and slightly warm water.
You should then wipe the scalp with wash cloth and then comb the scalp slowly so that the flakes or cradle come out along with the combing. The scalp should be washed carefully, because the jelly residues can increase the scales.
Use Of Mild Shampoo
The baby’s scalp should be washed every day. For this purpose, use a mild shampoo with lukewarm water. The warm water and the gentle massage with shampoo helps in loosening the scales.
Then the loosened cradles can be scraped away with hand or the flakes may come out while combing the scalp. Hygiene is very important and therefore washing the baby’s scalp everyday should be made a habit.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.