About Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is seen as a yellowish crusts on the scalp, forehead and eyebrows, which often occurs in babies and young children. Cradle cap is classified as seborrheic dermatitis and is caused by an overproduction of sebum mixed with dead skin cells. Cradle cap is easy to recognize with the characteristic yellow-brown scales and the bland smell.
Cradle cap is harmless and usually does not bother the child. However, in some cases it can cause itching in the scalp, as the layer of cradle cap retains the heat from the skin. Cradle cap are often removed for cosmetic reasons, as they are neither contagious nor, as such, due to a lack of hygiene.
How To Remove Flakes and Crusts caused by Cradle Cap?
Flakes and crusts are easy to remove. It just requires a little patience.
1. Apply baby oil
Gently apply baby oil to the affected area and leave the oil on for a few hours or overnight.
2. Remove the flakes and crusts
Carefully remove the flakes and crusts caused by cradle cap with the flake remover. Be especially careful around the fontanel (the soft spot).
3. Wash, if necessary, the hair
If necessary, wash your baby’s hair and scalp with a mild baby shampoo.
4. Clean the flake remover
Clean the flake remover with lukewarm water and hand soap after use.
5. Repeat
Repeat the above daily until all the flakes and crusts are removed.
Other Advice For Removing Flakes and Crusts
- Be careful with the flake remover so you don’t damage the skin on the scalp.
- Pay attention to the fontanel in very small babies. However, with a little extra care over the soft area, using the flake remover is no problem.
- If your baby has a lot of hair, you must make sure that the baby oil gets all the way down to the scalp before you treat with the flake remover.
- If the baby oil does not loosen the flakes and crusts sufficiently in 30 minutes, you can leave it on overnight.
- Removal of flakes and crusts may require a little patience on the part of both child and parents, but can possibly be combined with a cozy puzzle time, breastfeeding or a bottle, where the baby is still at ease.