Cradle cap, which bears the scientific name of infantile seborrheic dermatitis, is a condition that generally appears in babies and newborn infants. It’s characterized by rough patches of skin which, despite the name of the condition, can also appear on ears, eyebrows, eyelids, back of the neck, and several other body parts. The cause of this affliction is currently unknown, although some scientists believe it to be the result of hormones being transferred from the mother to the infant. Fortunately, the biggest downside of this ailment is how unsightly it is, as it otherwise is harmless and tends to fade away quickly. We will show you some excellent home remedies for cradle cap that can help you speed up the recovery process in a natural and effective way.
1. Baby Shampoo
This might just be one of the easiest home remedies for cradle cap. If you have a baby, we assume you already have acquired some baby shampoo. But you need to know exactly how to use it and you need to combine the washing with a soft-bristle brush to really get rid of the flakes. Thanks to its soft and sensitive nature, it will also make sure to not irritate your baby’s scalp.
Instructions:
- First of all, run a little bit of warm water over your baby’s head.
- Next, gently massage a little bit of baby shampoo against the skin.
- Let it sit for 2 minutes and then clean off using a soft-bristled baby brush, focusing on attempting a gentle scrub.
- Cleanse the scalp with warm water and then pat dry.
- Repeat this treatment daily for 1 week and then bi-weekly for the continuation of the treatment until the problem fades away.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a deeply moisturizing product. It can help you soften the patches of cradle cap on your baby’s scalp, making it much easier and quicker for them to peel off and stop giving you trouble. Furthermore, coconut oil also has deep antiseptic and antibacterial properties that will get it to fight any possible infections in this particularly sensitive area.
Instructions:
- Put a little bit of raw coconut oil in your palm.
- Next, gently rub it between your hands until it takes on a liquid form.
- Use the coconut oil in a gentle massage of the scalp.
- Wait for 20 minutes and then rinse off using lukewarm water.
- This will leave behind some flakes, which you can gently scrub off using a soft-bristle brush.
- Follow this procedure daily until you get the results you desire.
3. Olive Oil
Yet another type of oil that can help with this condition, olive oil acts out on double fronts. Firstly, it’s excellent for softening the rough patches of skin, making it easier to remove them. Secondly, olive oil also has excellent moisturizing properties. Skin areas that display cradle cap tend to become a bit flaky and rough, but olive oil will make sure to prevent that and to leave the skin feeling soft and silky.
Instructions:
- Warm up a little bit of olive oil, making sure that it’s not hot.
- Gently massage the oil into your baby’s scalp at bedtime and then leave on overnight.
- In the morning, use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub off the flakes that have peeled off.
- Finally, rinse with warm water and repeat this process daily until you’re noticing an improvement that you’re satisfied with.
4. Shea Butter
You’ve probably heard of shea butter and this is because it’s not just one of the best home remedies for cradle cap that you could use. It’s generally an excellent ingredient in many beauty products due to how incredibly nourishing and moisturizing it is. Needless to say, it can really help soften the rough patches of skin, making it easier for you to remove the unsightly flakes that are giving you so much trouble.
Instructions:
- Simply massage a little bit of shea butter onto the scalp and over the sensitive areas.
- Leave the butter on for 20 minutes, allowing it to act out its properties.
- Next, use a soft-toothed comb or a soft-bristle brush to remove the flakes.
- Finally, wash with baby shampoo and clean, warm water.
- Repeat this treatment daily until you get the results that you desire.
5. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly makes for a very reliable and accessible treatment for this infuriating condition. Many people appreciate it for its deeply moisturizing properties. The same properties ensure that the flakes and rough patches of skin will gradually soften, allowing you to get rid of them in pretty much no time. There’s no wonder that it’s such a popular choice among people that seek the best ways to elude this condition.
Instructions:
- Before bath time, massage a little bit of petroleum jelly onto your baby’s scalp. The exact amount depends on how serious the condition is and how wide-spread the patches are.
- Let the petroleum jelly sit for 1 hour and then, when the time is up, wet the baby’s hair with a little bit of warm water.
- With a soft brush, scrub the baby’s head to remove the flakes.
- Finally, rinse out with warm water and then pat dry.
- Follow through with this treatment several times a week until the issue fades away.
6. Almond Oil
Almond oil is one of the home remedies for cradle cap that we wholeheartedly recommend. It’s deeply moisturizing, but the best part is definitely how easily and quickly the skin absorbs it, ensuring that it won’t leave any messy, greasy residues behind. When you treat your baby’s cradle cap with almond oil, you make it easier to remove the flakes during bath time.
Instructions:
- Add 10 parts almond oil and 1 part tea tree oil to a container, stirring well to incorporate the liquids together.
- Next, apply this solution directly to your baby’s scalp and leave it to act and sink into the skin for 15 minutes.
- Using a soft bristle brush, gently scrub away at the flakes.
- Lastly, rinse using warm water and then carefully pat dry with a clean towel.
- Repeat this process several times a week until you’re noticing a satisfying improvement.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda can do a great number of things for all of us, but it’s particularly useful when you’re dealing with cradle cap. For starters, baking soda contains compounds which help restore the pH balance of the skin, creating an alkaline environment that possible infection-causing bacteria really aren’t too fond of. Secondly, it’s also an excellent exfoliator, making it so that the flakes will peel off and disappear in no time.
Instructions:
- Mix together 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water, stirring until you get a paste.
- Apply this mixture directly to the scalp and leave on for a few minutes.
- With a soft bristle brush, remove the flakes from the skin.
- Lastly, rinse with warm water and baby shampoo and make sure to repeat this treatment several times a week.
8. Tea Tree Oil
Although hormonal balances are sometimes principal causes of cradle cap, it can also happen due to various fungi-caused infections. If that’s the case, tea tree oil should become one of your go-to home remedies for cradle cap. Tea tree oil has strong antifungal properties that will shun away these pesky bacteria.
Instructions:
- Add 1 part tea tree oil with 10 parts carrier oil of your choice.
- Massage into the baby’s scalp and then leave on for 15 minutes.
- Use a brush to cleanse off the flakes and then rinse with warm water.
- Repeat everything several times a week.
9. Marigold
Sometimes known as ‘calendula,’ marigold is also an excellent remedy for this condition. Its antibacterial properties ensure that any possible infections will disappear and leave behind nothing but soft and silky skin.
Instructions:
- Place petals of fresh or dried marigold in a jar and then cover with olive oil.
- Set to the side for 2 weeks.
- Afterward, strain the oil and rub onto the sensitive areas, leaving it on for 40 minutes.
- Remove the dead skin cells with a soft brush.
- Finally, rinse with lukewarm water and repeat this treatment daily for excellent results.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the home remedies for cradle cap with a really strong myriad of properties, including anti-inflammatory and antifungal ones. This makes it excellent when you’re trying to get rid of the unpleasantness of cradle cap.
Instructions:
- Dilute 1 tablespoon of ACV in 2 tablespoons of water and stir everything really well.
- Massage the solution into the scalp and then leave on for 15 minutes.
- Wash off with mild baby shampoo and lukewarm water.
- Finally, remember to repeat this treatment regularly for good results.
11. Chamomile
Chamomile is very gentle and soothing, making it excellent for dealing with this kind of condition in ‘patients’ as sensitive as infants. It mostly works by inhibiting the activity of overactive glands that are responsible for the apparition of these unsightly patches of skin. It’s good for tea and easily one of the most reliable home remedies for cradle cap. This is also a great remedy for pregnancy nausea.
Instructions:
- Brew some chamomile tea and then allow it to cool down slightly.
- Pour this mixture over your baby’s head and leave on for a few minutes.
- Afterward, apply to the scalp a carrier oil of your choice.
- Wash off with warm water and repeat the process daily.
12. Viola
Viola is a type of flower that can also help you deal with this issue. It has antifungal properties that can help you fight infections from the inside-out. Furthermore, it also has lots of vitamins which will help the skin heal faster.
Instructions:
- Wash 1/2 cup worth of violas under a jet of cold water.
- In a jug, add 1 gallon of cold water, 2 orange slices, 4 ice cubes, and the viola flowers.
- Finally, refrigerate for 8-12 hours.
- Bring the infusion to room temperature before use.
- Give your baby this infusion to drink regularly.
Conclusion
Really, nobody wants to deal with something as bothersome as cradle cap. Why would we? It’s unsightly and it can definitely make your baby look as uncomfortable as they’re probably feeling as well. We hope that the home remedies for cradle cap you’ve just read about will be of help and that the problem will go away in no time. Which method are you eager to try out? Let us know!
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