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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:
Fallible · 28/12/2021 09:15

Vegetable oil worked with both of mine. Put plenty on and leave overnight then wash off in the morning and brush gently. It was gone within a week.

Smells and looks disgusting but works a treat!

Hibiscusroses · 28/12/2021 09:19

@Bubblesxox

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.

I have this same kit. I use a bit of dentinox then rub with the bristles in a circular motion. I then comb through and it lifts the flakes.
mulledwineshine · 28/12/2021 09:22

@GoodnightGrandma

You need to get a comb under the flakes to lift them, or pick them off like I did.
No don't do this as it can make the flesh underneath sore.

The cradle cap needs to be softened first.

I used coconut oil, let it sit for a while then gently massaged/combed it off.

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Original poster
Bubblesxox · 28/12/2021 09:36

@Hibiscusroses

When you used the comb did you go towards the face or away? Think I’m gonna try both dentenox and the brush again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bubblesxox · 28/12/2021 09:37

I read that the shampoo dries the skin out (dentenox) do you think a moisturiser to make the skin a bit less dry (her head is so dry at the minute) or will this just cause more build up.

OP posts:
takenforgrantednana · 28/12/2021 09:41

@Bubblesxox

I read that the shampoo dries the skin out (dentenox) do you think a moisturiser to make the skin a bit less dry (her head is so dry at the minute) or will this just cause more build up.
dont put anything on the babies head! only thing you can use is plain and simple WATER
CherryRedDMs · 28/12/2021 09:43

The ‘consult a doctor’ text is just standard arse covering by the manufacturer. You can ask the pharmacist if you’re worried.

SwanShaped · 28/12/2021 09:43

Plain water won’t get the cradle cap off though. Comb away from their face once the oil has made it soft. Then the flakes will lift up and come off. It’s minging.

Worriedguiltymum · 28/12/2021 09:45

I used coconut oil, massaged it gently into her scalp, left it for a while (I only left it for 5/10 minutes but I’d leave it longer when it’s quite bad), then I used a pourty cradle cap brush, and brushed in circular motions (did this in the bath). Then I’d rinse, add shampoo and massage the shampoo in with the brush. Rinse again, then I’d do another shampoo and brush again to remove any leftover coconut oil. I did that daily for a couple of weeks and it went completely. If you’re worried I would pop into the pharmacy and get the pharmacist to take a look.

takenforgrantednana · 28/12/2021 10:06

@SwanShaped

Plain water won’t get the cradle cap off though. Comb away from their face once the oil has made it soft. Then the flakes will lift up and come off. It’s minging.
it will, by treating the cause of the problem which is excess shampoo/soap not being rinsed sufficiently enough with only clean water. until you start treating the reason why it started in the first place your wasting your time doing anything else
Inthesameboatatmo · 28/12/2021 10:08

Comb away from the face to lift the flakes . It might look a little pink afterwards but it's honestly fine. That level of cradle cap will be very uncomfortable for baby and the pinkness is just the new skin underneath that's blocked from all the flakey skin.

SwanShaped · 28/12/2021 10:09

I disagreed nana. The oil worked for me. Cradle cap isn’t excess soap.

CherryRedDMs · 28/12/2021 10:22

Cradle cap is usually not uncomfortable for the baby at all. Doing nothing is also an option. Taking it off too harshly or getting infected by picking at it is much much likely to make the baby uncomfortable.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 28/12/2021 10:26

Dentinox shampoo.

Both my children had cradle cap that was almost impossible to shift. It carried on right until late childhood.

They both have sebhorric dermatitis now.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 28/12/2021 10:27

it will, by treating the cause of the problem which is excess shampoo/soap not being rinsed sufficiently enough with only clean water. until you start treating the reason why it started in the first place your wasting your time doing anything else

This is not true. It’s nothing to do with stuff being not washed out, that’s an old wives tale. It is a skin condition as l said above.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 28/12/2021 10:29

And olive oil etc never worked for mine. It has different degrees of severity.

forcedfun · 28/12/2021 10:33

Severe cradle cap can be a sign of allergies. Not saying it definitely is in this case, but it is worth being mindful of this. My son had awful cradle cap that spread across his forehead too (as well as reflux etc ) and it cleared once his CMPA was diagnosed and milk eliminated from his diet. With my daughter the same happened (although we didn't put up with the cradle cap for long as I could speak to allergy nurses very swiftly)

MunsteadWood · 28/12/2021 10:37

With DS I found a combination of coconut oil to soften then gentle combing with a baby comb helped clear it. I think I used dentinox shampoo at some point too.

Devilmakes3 · 28/12/2021 11:02

Great advice here. Definitely severe cradle cap can show up in children with allergies and the overnight (olive) oil and mild abrasion - facecloth/sponge/comb/picking off seem to work best.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 28/12/2021 11:12

Yep, cradle cap and allergies/ eczema is a big link.

kikisparks · 28/12/2021 11:19

We were prescribed a special shampoo and aqueous cream, worked really quickly.

Nichola2310 · 28/12/2021 11:26

I used to wash my little boys hair in epaderm cream, using it in the same way you would shampoo, and that cleared it up.

isacurlypotatoaquaver · 28/12/2021 11:28

My ds had this soooo bad when he was much younger. I used aveeno cream then used to brush at it with a baby comb and it all came away.

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 28/12/2021 11:32

My advice would be to stop using shampoo, soapy products seem to make my 4 month old much worse. It's not like tiny babies get sweaty greasy hair, a rinse is fine.

Original poster
Bubblesxox · 28/12/2021 11:35

@forcedfun
When she was a few weeks old she had really bad constipation which caused a tear… when I took her to the hospital for the bleeding they said it could potentially be a milk allergy but she was too young to test for it. She does come up with little rashes every so often as well not sure if that’s linked. But didn’t think cradle cap could be down to allergy. I’ll speak to the health visitor and see what they say. Thanks for that

OP posts: