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Parenting

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Original poster

2 year old with persistent cradle cap

17 replies

opalescent · 18/02/2015 20:45

It's not something I've actually given a second thought to until now, but one or two people have commented on DS's cradle cap. It's quite obvious I suppose, as he is very fair. I honestly assumed it would go away by itself, but it does seem to be lingering.
I don't actually brush his hair as he hates having his head fiddled with, just wash it a couple of times a week. I'm wondering whether the cradle cap would have gone by now if I did regularly brush through and 'loosen' it a bit?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Roseformeplease · 18/02/2015 20:47

Rub olive oil into his scalp before bed / after a bath. It will loosen up. Do not pull / pick it off as that seems to create more. He will grow out of it but it can be helped with oil. You can also buy a shampoo.

meandjulio · 18/02/2015 20:49

DS is 11 and has dandruff, and it feels to me like a continuation of his cradle cap, though I'm not sure. I would get some advice from health visitor or doctor.

MatriarchalDreams · 18/02/2015 20:49

My DD who is also two and also has very fair hair still has cradle cap, I also don't brush her hair often, just brush it through a couple of times a week when washing. However, I think it's quite common for cradle cap to hang around for quite a while, last year we were staying with family members (who we don't see often as they're abroad) and I mentioned that DD still had cradle cap and they said it can take ages to go, their four year old still had some.

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PacificDogwood · 18/02/2015 20:52

DS3 is coming up for 7 and he still gets it from time to time [shrug]

More regular hair washing helps, olive oil helps when I can be bothered, dentinox shampoo is v good.
DS3 loves having 'his head picked'
He does have lots of hair so nobody can see it.

Treat it as much as it or other people's reactions bother you

SixImpossible · 18/02/2015 20:54

One of mine had cradle cap well into her school years. It wasn't as bad as during infancy, just a bit dandruffy at times. I don't think any of the shampoos are worth using - they have no particular effect, and why use nasty chemicals unnecessarily?

Olive oil or evening primrose oil are the best IMO. When the flakes built up I would apply the oil a few hours before bath time, and then comb the stuff out with a nitcomb while the LO was distracted by playing in the bath.

As for comments: "Cradle cap? Yes, he has." End of. You don't need to explain or justify.

Original poster

opalescent · 18/02/2015 21:01

Wow,fast replies! Thankyou all. I wish ds would let me have a good old pick at it, that would be hugely satisfying! I
I might try popping some oil on at the start of bath times and letting it sink in. I have a huge jar of natural coconut oil, can anyone think any reason why that would be a terrible idea?!

OP posts:

strawberryshoes · 18/02/2015 21:04

My DD is 4 and still has a little, but my friend used coconut oil and it worked...

MrsCampbellBlack · 18/02/2015 21:06

My middle child had it on and off until he was at school. The nit comb got rid of it.

LtGreggs · 18/02/2015 21:08

You can also try using adult shampoo instead of the really mild kiddy stuff (just for the odd wash) - I found that helped loads. Either just normal stuff, or anti-dandruff. The kiddy stuff is so mild it hardly actually does anything!

Oldieandgoldie · 18/02/2015 21:11

It's a long time ago, but I'm sure I used to use liquid paraffin on my son's cradle cap...and eczema, and general dry skin etc.

I used to have lovely skin on my hands after all of his treatments .

CaptainMorgansMistress · 18/02/2015 21:15

Using a conditioner after the shampoo (I'd recommend dentinox to help clear the cradle cap) makes the hairs all slippy and makes it easier to slide the loose bits of cradle cap off the hair.

SixImpossible · 19/02/2015 00:27

Coconut oil is very good for the skin, but it brings some people out in a rash if it is applied too generously.

bronya · 19/02/2015 00:36

My son also had this until his first bout of nits. It nearly all came away with the conditioner and combing required to get rid of them and hasn't come back!

HellKitty · 19/02/2015 00:39

Rub olive oil or baby oil in but make it a game so he can make it spiky or have horns - to make it sit there a while don't add water but shampoo first. It should start shifting.

MrsCampbellBlack · 19/02/2015 05:39

Yes, the only advantage of nits was it got rid of the cradle cap

KatyN · 19/02/2015 13:17

my son had cc until he was about 3.5. We weren't sure if it was a problem or not until a hairdresser said it could cause hair thinning. We worried a bit and finally put olive oil on his head (applied with a pastry brush) before he had a bath. Then combed it out and it just came out in big lumps. It did bring quite a lot of hair so he did look a bit thin for a few weeks, but it's grown back and looks really healthy.

We dithered for ages worrying wither we should let it be or get it out.. bit dissapointed after all that concern it was so easy to remove.

Cariad007 · 19/02/2015 16:04

OP, nothing worked for DS - not coconut oil, not almond out, bt Dentinox. What did work was a cradle cap solution I bought in Australia and used on him while I was there. It was gone within a week! I still have more than half the bottle left so DM me if you'd like it.

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