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Original poster

Baby with itchy head - scratching to pieces..how can I help her?

31 replies

funlovingcriminal · 26/01/2011 06:50

My 5 month old has always had dry skin on her head and cradle cap. Recently, as she has gained more control of her hands she is able to scratch quite badly and it bleeds slightly.

Obviously, I keep her nails short and cover her hands at night (this is when she really goes for it).

What I really need is advice for what to use to help the itching. I have used olive oil and currently I am trying E45, neither seem to relieve her. Anyone had a similar experience and what did they find that worked well for them?

TIA

OP posts:
belgo · 26/01/2011 06:51

have you tried Aveeno? it is oat based, and very good. They have a bath oil that is great in baby hair.

Expensive though.

belgo · 26/01/2011 06:52

I wouldn't use the E45.

Original poster
funlovingcriminal · 26/01/2011 06:56

Thanks Belgo - will try that. Not in UK so I don't know if I can get it here - will look into it now.

I was doubting the E45 but giving it a go anyway! desperate.

OP posts:
Geepers · 26/01/2011 07:01

Use Vaseline and a nit comb to get rid of the cradle cap.

Original poster
funlovingcriminal · 26/01/2011 07:12

Vaseline to sooth the itching or for the cardle cap? Cradle cap is under control really- not very serious. It's the itchiness that's the problem. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
funlovingcriminal · 26/01/2011 08:58

Anyone else got any experiences to share or ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
funlovingcriminal · 26/01/2011 11:44

.

OP posts:
enimod · 26/01/2011 13:24

my son got a special shampoo from the doctor-he d scratch snd look like he d been pulled thru a hedge backwards-his scratching was also worse when hot, too warm, tired and teething.he didnt have cradle cap though just dry skin. check she isnt teething or feverish-was always a sigh for ds2

Original poster
funlovingcriminal · 27/01/2011 07:42

interesting enimod -she's sleeping so badly i'm notsure if teeth are coming through or she's so itchy. Too cold here - so can't that!

Still need to find a solution to calm it - it seems redand bumpy today and yesterday...poor thing.

OP posts:
Claireabelle81 · 28/01/2011 19:58

Hi ya, i had the same problem with my DS at about the same age, had cradle cap that seemed to turn really nasty. It went as you describe, red and bumpy and at times his seemed to puss and was constantly making it blead. I took him to the GP and they gave me hydrocortisone to clear it up. But once it had cleared it kept coming back so i saw my HV. They told me that he had eczema and told me that the GP should have also given us moisturiser which is why it wouldn't clear up. I would suggest taking him to your HV and getting them to prescribe you something. My DS was given Hydromol which re-hydrates the skin and when its cleared they then give you double base moisturiser to apply twice a day. It really has worked and made such a difference

HopingForAZoo · 29/01/2011 02:41

Don't know if you cab get Mustela products where you are. They have a good cradle cap shampoo.

annabella15 · 07/02/2011 21:10

my baby is 6 months old nearly and he has been itchy since he was about 2 months its so servere he cant sleep, sometimes doesnt want to eat he wont leave his head alone and then cries when he itches cos it hurts so much :( i dont know what to do, the doctor said its bad eczema and perscribed dermol 500 for the bath and a hydrocortisone cream, i also use aveeno and oilatum, it does really help the rash but doesnt stop the itching! antihistamines work a treat in the evening so he can sleep a few hrs but u cant use them for that long! im also breastfeeding and when he itches himself awake at night a feed is the only way to get him back to sleep so i find myself feeding him 5 times during the night arghh im so stressed does any1 know anything that will help itch and sleep??! im desperate!!!

DirtyMartini · 07/02/2011 21:14

Scratch sleeves! My DD did this, still does it a bit at 9 months when she is tired or poorly. Scratch sleeves have been fantastic.

Link I only use them for nighttime and naps, but I think you can use them in the day as well.

I've been longing for someone to recommend them to - wish I had seen this thread earlier.

eyebrowqueen · 07/02/2011 21:23

my DD sort of rubs her head on the sheets so scratch mits would be irrelevant. I spose I could put the hat on her.

Funloving, like Claireabelle my DD had infected cradle cap which has since become severe eczema so just be aware of that and if it becomes worse etc get it checked- I am only saying that because for ages I just thought it would go away and it didn't.

Sometimes olive oil on itchy skin can irritate so you want something cooling maybe try aloe vera?

Annabella your situation sounds v similar to mine. DD 5 months I am BF etc, Have you tried changing your diet or anyhitng? People keep suggesting it to me but I don't know...

I had some success with this www.skinnutrition.co.uk/p/850/Hope%27s_Relief_Cream_.html?gclid=CMPYg6P99qYCFQse4QodBA-WGQ

But when her eczema is v bad I go back to the hydracortesone

annabella15 · 08/02/2011 15:24

hmm, i will try changing diet but as im a vegetarian all i eat is dairy and wheat haha so i think id starve to death but he could be allergic to dairy i guess..
i use mittens but he still itches with them on and i think the fabric irratates him even more!
thanks for the advice on the scratch sleeves i will definatly get one ill try anything possible to help him hes always crying and itching :( he wakes up ever hour or two sometimes he just itches so much hate seeing him like this. i find with the hydrocortisone that as soon as u stop using it it comes back, it works wonders though but it doesnt help scratching..
thanks guyysss

eyebrowqueen · 08/02/2011 17:08

Annabella - I have to say I am not in the camp that believe diet will affect it. isnt it like 2 percent of what you eat that goes into the breastmilk in which case get the pizzas in!

annabella15 · 08/02/2011 19:10

aha here here. yeah its 2 percent! well i just wish he would stop scratching its so distressing! he wont even let me cut his nails he wiggles so much and screams!! hm.. ill try the scratch sleeve tho but it might just distress him even more cos that means he wont be able to itch when he wants.

3littlefrogs · 08/02/2011 19:15

Are you sure it isn't infected?

DD had eczema which got infected - it just looked red and itchy. GP prescribed a course of antibiotics and it was gone in a few days.

I kept up with the moisturiser and scratch sleeves (Socks sewn onto sleeves of every garment)and it never got infected again.

mummytowillow · 08/02/2011 19:46

Do you rinse your babies head with the bath water? My daughter had cradle cap, I used to rinse her head with the bath water, friend told me to do one rinse with clean water everytime and it went!

Apparently the soap scum builds up on their head and can cause cradle cap?

mummytowillow · 08/02/2011 19:46

Do you rinse your babies head with the bath water? My daughter had cradle cap, I used to rinse her head with the bath water, friend told me to do one rinse with clean water everytime and it went!

Apparently the soap scum builds up on their head and can cause cradle cap?

mummytowillow · 08/02/2011 19:47

Oops double post!

annabella15 · 09/02/2011 08:54

i dont think its infected, what does it look like whn its infected?? his hair is so blonde and fine i can see straight through and all i can see is a couple of dry areas u wouldnt even think he had bad eczema but he just itches all the time. he just wants to be carried all day and as soon as i put him down or when he gets tired he cries and he associates crying with itching bless him so i find i have to carry him around all day just to keep itching to a minimum. as i have back problems im in agony myself cos hes such a heavy lump haha! i use a special shampoo for eczema i only use it once a week and i rinse his hair a few times with water afterwards.

naturopath · 09/02/2011 23:43

you should see a dermatologist - synalar was the thing that helped my dcs

sagarika · 10/02/2011 00:21

My little one has the same problem. He has bad eczema.he had cradle cap which is much better with dentinox shampoo.now its mainly dry scalp and itchy all the time.its so difficult to cut his nails short.i use mittens.olive oil only controls for a short period.hydromol hasnt helpd.he's 4 mnts and exclusively bf.i did think of doing a dairy free diet.bt thats really a shot in the dark.as a last resort im thinking of persuading my gp for a specialist referral for his worsening eczema which I believe is causing the itchy scalp as well.i think u should see a specialist (dermatologist) too.

annabella15 · 11/02/2011 19:25

yeah i will ask my gp to refer me to a dermatologist. the doctor doesnt really help, just gave me an antihistamine called phenergan to help him sleep and it helps itching overnight it does work quite well sometimes but u cant use it 4 more than a week at a time.. to be honest i dont think theres anything any1 can do i think it will get batter as he grows up. its a shame tho cos that means he will be like this for the next few years

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