The condition isn't painful or itchy. But it can cause thick white or yellow scales that aren't easy to remove. Cradle cap usually clears up on its own in weeks or a few months. Home care measures include washing your baby's scalp daily with a mild shampoo. This can help you loosen and remove the scales. Don't scratch cradle cap. If cradle cap persists or seems severe, your doctor may suggest a medicated shampoo, lotion or other treatment. Cradle cap is the common term for infantile seborrheic dermatitis.
It's sometimes confused with another skin condition, atopic dermatitis. A major difference between these conditions is that atopic dermatitis usually causes significant itching. It is thought that babies have high levels of maternal hormones in their bodies for several weeks or months following birth and these hormones enlarge the glands, making more sebum.
Some component in the sebum, as yet unknown, causes skin inflammation. The cradle cap can come back, even when treated properly, because the glands continue to produce sebum for several months after birth. Sometimes, the skin under the crusts of cradle cap can become infected. The skin becomes redder and small blisters appear, and then pop and weep.
If this infection spreads, or your baby becomes unwell, make sure that you have your baby checked by a doctor. Your baby may need antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Unlike cradle cap, impetigo is highly contagious. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment. Adoption can give a secure family life to children who can?
Moisturize the head after bath time: After bath time, make sure to apply a sensitive skin moisturizer to the baby's head. If the scalp is too dry, it will produce extra oil and increase the likelihood of cradle cap. Exfoliate the head: Use a wet cotton towel or baby cloth to gently rub down the baby's head, which will stimulate circulation and flake off any potential scales.
You May Also Like. Gift Guide. Family Life. Now You Know. Instead, continue to alternate between an emollient and scalp washing daily until the patches fall off.
Everything from the weather outside to the bath water inside can be harsh on the fragile, sensitive skin of a newborn. When not washing the scalp or using an emollient, the scalp should be kept clean and clear. This can help to prevent further irritation of the scalp during treatment. Scratching the skin over a period of time may lead to complications, including:.
Massaging the scalp can help to remove cradle cap. Massaging the area is a gentler way of breaking up the patchy skin than using fingernails. Both emollients and shampoo should be massaged into the scalp when applied. This can help to ensure that the treatment is fully dispersed throughout. Another benefit of a scalp massage is that it can help your baby feel relaxed during treatment.
Because stress may be a trigger for flare-ups, keeping your infant comfortable is just as important. Three common tools can be used to help gently remove cradle cap patches:. Remember, daily emollient use and a scalp-washing routine are the best ways to soften and loosen the scales for brushing.
You can buy a cradle cap brush online here. Mild cradle cap symptoms can be alleviated using an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo. Many of these shampoos contain tar, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione, which are used to help break down the rough, patchy skin. Therefore, dandruff shampoo should be left on for no longer than five minutes, and the scalp washing should be done with special care.
These medicated shampoos are often formulated with 2 percent salicylic acid and sulfur, both of which are keratolytics. Keratolytics are compounds that help the outer layer of the skin to soften and shed.
0コメント