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Parenting

infected cradle cap

17 replies

ricketyrock · 09/01/2011 18:10

I took DD to GP with a bad cough and he prescribed antibiotics but he also said she had infected cradle cap and gave topical antibiotic ointment (Bactroban) for it. It doesn't seem to be clearing up though and looks really sore and weepy. She also rubs her head to itch it quite a lot. We went on Wednesday and I am surprised it has not started to clear up. Anyone else with any experience of this?

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Al1son · 09/01/2011 23:22

I think it should have started to improve by now so maybe you should go back to the GP. I have successfully treated infected eczema by washing it with strong salt water so that may be an option to try while you wait for the appointment.

Once the infection has cleared you should be able to prevent it recurring by using oil to soften it and a nit comb to gently remove it from her hair.

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Mondaybaby · 10/01/2011 12:02

My GP prescribed Fucidin which is an anti-fungal for my dd's cradle cap which helps. I also use the cradle cap shampoo and olive oil. I don't use a comb as I just let the loose bits fall off by themselves as I don't want to aggravate it further.

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ricketyrock · 10/01/2011 18:19

ok thanks for your replies

I'll see if I can get it under control but at the moment she is waking up at night because of it and sort of rubbing her head on the sheet to itch it.

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TheSecondComing · 10/01/2011 18:23

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ricketyrock · 10/01/2011 22:33

can i use dentinox even though she has hardly any hair (I know I sound stupid but I imagine her bald scalp might be more sensitive than a scalp with hair...though as I type I know I sound ridiculous!) and it might be excema? Several people have mentioned dentinox

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TheSecondComing · 10/01/2011 22:46

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Al1son · 10/01/2011 23:31

I think I'd probably leave the shampoo until the infection has cleared up because it could sting on inflamed skin. After that if it works I'd use it.

Just for clarification I would only use a nit comb to remove the flakes which are loose on her hair, not to pick or scrape it from her scalp. Often once you've softened the flakes by a little massaging with oil they move up the hair but go no further and I hated how that looked on my babies.

If it is eczema oils should help but shampoo is the last thing you should use.

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ricketyrock · 11/01/2011 08:47

I would say that the infection has cleared but the area of sore skin is still red and weeping - I think it must be eczema and not cradle cap. Also she has red patches on her face that look like eczema - my little sister had it so that is what I am basing my opinion on. I am thinking of going back to the GP BUT I don't really want to sit around in the waiting room with baby and I don't particularly like the DR he never explains anything and why didn't he realise it was eczema in the first place? Is there anything I can get from the pharmacist?

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Al1son · 11/01/2011 09:31

When my DD had eczema the eczema nurse at B'ham children's hosp told me that the crucial thing is to stop washing the oils out of her skin with any sort of soap or shampoo. Then he said to find an emollient that works for her. We ended up using 50%soft paraffin/50% liquid paraffin cream usually called 50/50 cream) because it is soft and has not got lanolin or any other nasties in it. Most pharmacists stock it.

You do still need to wash but use plain water or a bath emollient like Oilatum.

If it doesn't clear up you probably need to get a bit of steroid cream like hydrocortisone from the GP but after that prevention is much better than cure so don't stop using the emollient.

HTH

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ricketyrock · 11/01/2011 10:31

Yes that's very helpful thank you. I have noticed that the very simple balm I've been using seems to help - I use little me organic wash but I'll make sure her head stays out of the water. Last question I promise - do you use anything else on your DD? I've got my eye on an expensive cream called heal or something from the local expensive health food store but I'm mindful that maybe less is more. Thanks A very much

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Al1son · 11/01/2011 12:44

No problem. DD1 had such a rough time before we saw the eczema nurse I'm glad to help.

I use Dermol 500 on prescription which is a very light fragrance free moisturiser which you can use as a soap substitute for bathing and hand washing. That seems to help their skin not to dry out in the first place. That and 50/50 cream applied once or twice a day seem to work as prevention most of the time which I know makes us very lucky. I really notice if we stop using it.

I try really really hard not to get to the point that we need to use the steroid creams because I don't like the thought of them.

The dermatologist did say to me that a good basic emollient is all you need and that most of the special over the counter things are just that with vitamins, fragrances or some other gubbins added.

I'm sure other people will have different experiences but I followed that advice and it's seemed to be exactly right for my girls.

I know myself how awful eczema feels so I'm really glad you're making such an effort to sort this out for your DD.

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ricketyrock · 11/01/2011 20:07

Al1son - it's good to know that you have managed to get to a point with your DD that you feel it's under control and thanks again for all the v useful info.

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Al1son · 11/01/2011 22:43

Welcome

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ricketyrock · 12/01/2011 14:10

Alison- I went to the doctors and she gave us Dermol 600 wash and cream and the fucidin. She asked how I felt about steroid cream and maybe before having DD I would have said I would avoid it but seeing her face and head so red and sore is too upsetting so in this instance I am going with the doctor's instructions.

I hope it will be a short sharp treatment though...

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Al1son · 12/01/2011 14:37

It sounds like you've seen a much better GP!

I know how you feel about the steroid cream but I think you're right to use it to relieve the soreness and itching for her. Hopefully you'll be able to prevent further outbreaks with the moisturisers.

If she continues to get outbreaks despite the creams I would ask to be referred to a specialist eczema nurse or consultant. There should be one at your nearest children's hospital. I only saw one once but I got some great tips about how to use the emollients and the steroid creams to best effect and it made all our lives better within days.

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suiledonne · 12/01/2011 14:41

Avoid the Dentinox if she has eczema.

My dd1 had eczema on her face and terrible cradle cap. I tried lots of things before resorting to the shampoo but it was a big mistake. Her poor skin looked burned after I used it.

She is 4 now, still has a vrey dry scalp but her face and upper body are clear of eczema. She still has some on her legs but it is manageable.

Best of luck.

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ricketyrock · 12/01/2011 21:11

God yes this DR was much better and DD seems much less hot and red and itchy. Hopefully, thanks to good advice here I'll be able to control it and yes I will def ask for a specialist if it continues ( thanks for that tip)

Suile- I will avoid the Dentinox for sure. How upsetting for you that you had to go through that