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Original poster

Cradle cap

61 replies

Bubblesxox · 28/12/2021 08:33

My daughter has had cradle cap for the last couple months and is showing no signs of getting better. It’s spreading to her forehead and her eyebrows. I’ve tried a few things that have been recommended but nothing has worked and it just looks so bad. Any ideas on what would actually work. Or is it a doctors trip? Thanks

OP posts:
cansu · 28/12/2021 08:34

I used to see olive oil recommended on here. It apparently softens it so it comes off easily.

TheFutureIs · 28/12/2021 08:35

I used to massage coconut oil on my little ones head

CherryRedDMs · 28/12/2021 08:36

For us what worked with both babies was a good rub with a natural sponge or flannel at bathtime (synthetic sponge didn’t work as well, possibly too smooth). I wouldn’t bother with the doctor though, since it’s not harmful or painful.

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Letsallscreamatthesistene · 28/12/2021 08:42

Baby oil (it can be any type of oil really) massaged into my sons scalp before bed. He slept with it on. Combed off in the morning.

Had to do it maybe twice and it didnt come back.

Original poster
Bubblesxox · 28/12/2021 08:46

@Letsallscreamatthesistene
I’ve tried baby oil and it seemed to make her skin all red. So I stopped using it thinking I was doing more harm than good. I’ve done over a week of not touching it and just washing in gentle shampoo so I’m hoping whatever I can try next won’t irritate her skin.
My little boy had it but I didn’t need to do anything to clear it as it went itself! Was hoping it would be the same with her. But clearly not

OP posts:
Uniforn · 28/12/2021 08:48

If you've tried the usual over the counter stuff and it's not worked I'd maybe speak to the HV as its spreading. I used to wash hair with detinox (I think it's called) and then use oil and a gentle comb. Sounds gross but I absolutely loved brushing it through and seeing bits flake off, but I have always been fascinated by dry skin!

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 28/12/2021 08:48

Try a different oil?

Are you putting it on then leaving it for a good chunk of time? The cradle cap needs to be given a chance to soften so it'll come off, which is why I left it overnight.

Crapslattern · 28/12/2021 08:49

Olive oil left on for half an hour then a soft baby's toothbrush worked for my kids

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 28/12/2021 08:51

@Uniforn

If you've tried the usual over the counter stuff and it's not worked I'd maybe speak to the HV as its spreading. I used to wash hair with detinox (I think it's called) and then use oil and a gentle comb. Sounds gross but I absolutely loved brushing it through and seeing bits flake off, but I have always been fascinated by dry skin!
I loved it too!
mildtomoderate · 28/12/2021 08:52

Loyon ointment!

GoodnightGrandma · 28/12/2021 08:53

Have you had it looked at by a GP or HV as it’s spreading ?
I used to put olive oil on, leave it overnight, then gently comb/pick it off.

Inthesameboatatmo · 28/12/2021 08:54

Olive oil and leave to soak in then get a plastic nit comb from the chemist and gently comb through with that . My daughter had exactly the same and after I did that a few times it didn't reappear.

SwanShaped · 28/12/2021 08:54

You need an oil on it. I got rid of my baby’s like that. Put coconut or olive oil on it. Loads and loads. Then massage it in and leave for half an hour. The cradle cap goes all soft and gooey. Use a comb to scrape it all off. You might have to do this over several sessions. It’s amazing when it’s gone, their head smells so nice.

Original poster
Bubblesxox · 28/12/2021 08:55

With the oil I was leaving it overnight and washing in the morning which did look like it was working to start off with. But yeah after a few days it was just looking really red.

I haven’t tried the dentox cradle cap shampoo because it said consult a doctor before use. Has anyone given that a go?

OP posts:
Luckystar1 · 28/12/2021 08:57

Don’t use oil. I have tried finding the website I got excellent info on, but I can’t right now. Essentially oil just makes it worse.

Use Mustela foam baby shampoo (can get on Amazon). It is absolutely amazing.

UnusuallyUsual · 28/12/2021 08:57

Use a baby brush and brush her dry hair every day to loosen the flakes. If you continue to do this it will soon go. When you shampoo her hair rub her scalp with a flannel or natural sponge. It's a build up of grease and skin that just needs removing.

Uniforn · 28/12/2021 08:57

Oh oops I just used it when DS was small and didn't consult a doctor!

GoodnightGrandma · 28/12/2021 08:57

If you bought it over the counter just use it.
You could also ask a pharmacist

Mommabear20 · 28/12/2021 08:58

DS has terrible cradle cap, we've used dentinox cradle cap shampoo for him 3 times a week and it's completely gone!

Original poster
Bubblesxox · 28/12/2021 08:58

I also bought a 3 in one cradle cap brush. It had a sponge, brush and fine comb. But when I used it it kind of come off like goo. Is that normal? It scared me when I saw it like that so I didn’t use it again.

After I’ve oiled over night I’ve brushed with a soft brush which did get a few flakes off and brushed after it was washed off.

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 28/12/2021 08:59

You need to get a comb under the flakes to lift them, or pick them off like I did.

Astraturf · 28/12/2021 09:02

Wash with aveeno baby wash, massage it in then leave it a few minutes before rinsing it out then put a big blob of the aveeno baby cream on, massage that in and leave it til the next wash.

SwanShaped · 28/12/2021 09:04

Well oil didn’t make it worse for my baby. Just got rid of it. It didn’t go red either. I only left it on half an hour until the cradle cap was soft and then it came off fine.

SwanShaped · 28/12/2021 09:05

But the soft brush didn’t work. Needed to be a harder comb to lift the flakes off. The soft brush was rubbish.

takenforgrantednana · 28/12/2021 09:10

@Bubblesxox

My daughter has had cradle cap for the last couple months and is showing no signs of getting better. It’s spreading to her forehead and her eyebrows. I’ve tried a few things that have been recommended but nothing has worked and it just looks so bad. Any ideas on what would actually work. Or is it a doctors trip? Thanks
dont use any soap based products on her head at all, just plain water, cradle cap is mainly because of a build up to the soap. rinse her head and then rinse again you cant over rinse, you need to get as much of the old soap off as possible