Best Advice for Treating Cradle Cap

Many babies and infants experience cradle cap. It usually clears up in weeks or months. There are several safe methods you can try at home.

At Home Treatment for Cradle Cap

Remember, always be gentle with your baby’s skin. Irritating the scalp can lead to tiny abrasions that could get infected.

• Wash infant’s hair once daily using mild, tear-free infant shampoo.
• Use a soft brush to gently remove the scales. The Bean-b-Clean cradle cap brush is specifically developed to be soft and effective on baby’s scalp.
• If the scales refuse to loosen, use a bit of petroleum jelly or mineral oil on your baby’s scalp. Let the jelly soak into the affected areas for a couple of minutes to several hours. Then use the soft brush to remove scales, and finally shampoo your newborn’s hair as usual.

When to Call the Doctor

If your baby’s cradle cap doesn’t clear up, reach out to your pediatrician. A mild antifungal shampoo or steroid cream might be prescribed. The doctor may also recommend a mild antifungal cream or steroid for seborrhea on the other body parts.

Always check first with your pediatrician before using any over-the-counter antifungal creams, steroids, or anti-seborrhea shampoos.

Sources: Kids Health Org, Healthline