Dry face and cradle cap - any natural/non-med. remedies available ?

[Chooch]

Hello - I have a DS now 8.5 months. He has very thick, long brown hair (unlike DH ) so I only noticed these dry, yellowish scales on the front of his scalp (it's only a patch not all over) a few weeks ago when washing his hair. He didn't have this when he was born, so I was wondering could this be cradle cap ? I thought only newborns had it ?

Also he usually has very soft, gorgeous baby skin, but recently has developed a dry face (wind, cold weather, etc ?). He also has dry legs.

Can anyone recommend a natural treatment for cradle cap (if that's what it is) - I bought a shampoo from the chemist, but as it's medicated don't want to use it too often.

What can I use for his face that is gentle and non-medicated ?

Many thanks for any advice.

[LIZS]

dd is 3 and still has cradle cap - worse in winter with dry atmosphere and heating. You rubbing olive oil or almond oil (either liquid or cream) into his scalp (assuming no allergies present) and you can also use almond oil cream as a moisturiser on his skin.

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[debs26]

my four year old still has cradle cap though its not easy to see any more as he has too much hair. i cant leave the stuff alone - i have to pick it off! its only like dandruff and when i told my health visitor she said cover in olive oil - and then pick it off!!!! it doesnt hurt the baby, so dont get stressed. as for dry skin go to doctors, we get oilatum cream prescribed and its brill

[Chooch]

Ok, that's great.
Can I just use my salad virgin olive oil ?
I have some vaseline at home too.
LIZS - where do I buy the almond oil ? Boots ?

[LIZS]

Try Boots for almond oil (not in UK so a bit out of touch!), personally we prefer the crema as it is less greasy or perhaps a health food type shop. Body Shop used to do the oil too, but do make sure it is unperfumed or you could make the problem worse.

[shrub]

the only thing that worked for my ds's was 'weleda calendula baby oil' (organic sesame, calendula and chamomile oil) . let it soak in for a few hours then with a warm wet flannel gently rub scalp, then use dry flannel to gently slough flakes off. its so lovely i use it as my own moisturiser now.think you can buy it at health food shops or beamingbaby.com

[NotQuiteCockney]

DS2 had moderate cradle cap, which I got rid of by not keeping his head so warm. I don't put a hat on him these days (I do use hoods sometimes) and that has cleared it up. I don't know that this would sort a severe case, but it's certainly worth considering.

[Chooch]

Excellent advice everyone. I have started with olive oil on his head. He smells like a salad ! Yum...

[pinkmagic1]

I rub olive oil into my sons scalp,leave it overnight then give it a wash in the morning and a really good brush. If you do this for a couple of days it will clear up really well.
My son also has very dry skin on his face and I find Palmers Cocoa butter brilliant, much better than the E-45 the doctor prescribed. It smells like chocolate too!

[Chooch]

pinkmagic1 - that's a really good idea. Actually I have loads of Palmers left from when I was pregnant. I used to rub it on my bump and thighs to prevent stretch marks (worked really well, as I never got any !). He will be used to the smell then !