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Original poster

Cradle cap in an older child?

26 replies

WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 12:34

Dd is 5 and has a very thick patch of what looks like cradle cap on her head. I have been using olive oil on it, but it really hasn't done anything to touch it. The outer layers come off, but it's so thick that I can't shift it all. I've been picking bits of it off, but as fast as I shift some, it comes back.

Any suggestions for a really effective treatment? Would prefer not to use something too chemically.

OP posts:
DumbledoresGirl · 08/06/2006 12:37

Just to say that 2 of my boys had bad cradle cap for years and years. Ds1's eventually went when he was about 7-8 and ds3 (3) still has it though it seems to be getting better. I didn't do anything to either of them but they are fortunate in having very thick heads of hair.

I would be interested to know if anyone comes up with a solution that does not involve chemicals or oil.

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 12:39

That's a long time, DG.

Dd only had it for a couple of weeks when she was a baby and hasn't had a problem with it since - probably just as well because her hair is thin and fine, and there's not all that much of it.

OP posts:
bundle · 08/06/2006 12:39

i only really got to grips with dd1's cradle cap when she had nits..the nit comb helped pull it out in clumps (until then i'd been blissfully unaware as it was pretty much the colour of her hair which hadn't been combed v often Blush)

Ledodgyherring · 08/06/2006 12:39

My 3 year old dd gets this still, the only way I can get it to go is to stop washing her hair with shampoo for a few washes and just use water.

fairyjay · 08/06/2006 12:42

Try plastering the area in vaseline and leaving it overnight. With dd it then sort of 'lifted off' in the morning. Warning though - messy solution Grin

DumbledoresGirl · 08/06/2006 12:43

An interesting method Ledodgyherring. Ds3 would like that as he hates shampoo!

TBH it was only a problem for ds1 when he went to the barbers and they commented on it. My response was just to shrug. Thinking about it, I am only assuming he no longer has cradle cap because I haven't had any comments from hairdressers. Perhaps I should actually look tonight!

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 12:43

I hadn't thought about stopping using shampoo. I have been making sure that her hair is rinsed well after it's been washed, she washes her own hair and I wondered whether it had started because she wasn't rinsing it very well, but it hasn't made any difference so far.

OP posts:
Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 12:44

Ewww, fairyjay ... sending her to school with vaseliney hair wouldn't go down very well, I don't think!!

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Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 12:58

I really do want to try and shift this - in a baby I probably wouldn't be too concerned but she's very conscious of her appearance and this has upset her. Please, if anyone has any other suggestions I would really like to hear them.

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Bagpuss30 · 08/06/2006 13:01

Like bundle, we used a nit comb and some very thick conditioner on dd's hair. The cradle cap will come out but it will come with all the old hair too and so your dd might end up with a slightly thinner head of hair until it grows back properly.

throckenholt · 08/06/2006 13:02

I agree the nit comb works well on my 3.

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 13:03

Oh no - she'll hate that even more! Her hair is really very thin and fine as it is.

The only nit comb I have is the Nitty Gritty one, I presume that would be OK to use on the cradle cap? Otherwise it's the cat's flea comb WinkGrin

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Bagpuss30 · 08/06/2006 13:10

You will have to be very gentle WWB as you can sometimes end up pulling it off and making it bleed. My dd's went after about a couple of weeks I think. The conditioner seemed to help to soften the cradle cap and made it easier to get the nit comb through as her hair is quite long.

I have also tried some cradle cap oil on ds2 (11 months) when he was younger and it worked really well but like you I tried to avoid using any kind of oil on dd due to the mess.

throckenholt · 08/06/2006 13:25

nitty gritty is the one we have - and works well with my twins - they have very fine hair - and very little comes out (just what falls out naturally anyway I think).

Do it for 5-10 minutes each day and gradually it reduces.

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 13:28

OK, thanks - will give it a go with the Nitty Gritty comb and see how we go.

I wonder why she's suddenly got this again out of the blue?

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fairyjay · 08/06/2006 13:28

No WWB - leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning. Mind you, I'd do it at the weekend!!

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 14:36

Good grief, it's hard enough getting her up in the morning as it is, without having to wash her hair as well!!! She doesn't take well to early mornings (unless it's school holidays ...)

I might try that one at the weekend though, while dh is here to deal with the resulting mess Grin

OP posts:
Mercy · 08/06/2006 14:46

WigWam, my dd is 5 and it's only in the last few monhts that her cradle cap has gone, I think because I changed the way I dealt with her hair.

Basically when I wash it I give her scalp a good massage, rinse it thoroughly and then every couple of weeks, blow dry it whilst brushing with a fairly firm brush. I was always a bit of a wuss when dealing with her hair as she hated the whole process and am now much firmer re brushing etc.

Of course it could be utter rubbish!

Isn't cradle cap a form of eczema?

LIZS · 08/06/2006 14:47

dd (4 1/2)has had this since she was a baby . It improved dramatically last summer with regular combing and using a Rausch shampoo containing willow bark and thyme for dandruff and scalp irritations once a week or so.

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 16:41

Mercy, I think you're right, it's a form of eczema or dermatitis, something like that. Dd likes her hair blow-dried, so manybe that's something we can try as well.

Lizs, where did you get your Rausch shampoo from? I've not come across that one before.

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LIZS · 08/06/2006 16:50

Have to confess we buy it abroad but I'm sure I've seen it over here, perhaps at an independent chemist or a Lloyds pharmacy? Have tried to Google for similar but seems very slow today.

southeastastra · 08/06/2006 16:51

i just use baby oil to soften it then with a normal comb, comb it out and wash or you can just pick it out yourself. its just one of those things kids get imo.

foxinsocks · 08/06/2006 16:54

dd (also 5) still gets cradle cap - I started using one of the Tgel shampoos for irritated/sensitive scalps and it definitely helped. I also wash her hair as little as possible. Funnily enough, the more we swim, the better her cradle cap has become but I have no idea why that should be (perhaps it doesn't like the chlorine!).

I think you can get some cream from the doctor for it if it looks like it is really set into her skin.

Original poster
WigWamBam · 08/06/2006 17:05

Thanks all.

I'm sure you're right, sea - it is just one of those things that children get. As I said, it didn't bother me at all when dd had it as a baby, but she's 5 now and very sensitive about her appearance, and as it's upsetting her I'd really like to shift it. I don't mind it but she does!

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Albert · 08/06/2006 17:50

So glad you started this thread. DS (6) has just got it back and I can't get rid of it. He had it as a baby until the age of about 3 Strangely enough when we moved to Italy it cleared up and now we've moved to Brazil it's returned. A friend recommended using ordinary soap to wash his hair but I've been doing that for a few weeks and it hasn't made any difference. If anyone can come up with anything I'd be really grateful although DS doesn't care in the least!