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7 Home Remedies for Cradle Cap

7  Home Remedies for Cradle Cap

Cradle Cap is a condition affecting infants and babies. It appears as scaly, yellowish patches on the scalp. Cradle cap is generally attributed to the reaction of overactive sebaceous glands in the baby. This may also be due to the hormones passed on from the mother. The condition is not contagious. Neither is it itchy nor is it uncomfortable for the baby. If left unattended, the condition usually resolves on its own.

Here Are Some Simple Home Remedies To Treat Cradle Cap:

Coconut Oil

Apply a few drops of virgin coconut oil on the child’s scalp. Do not overdo it. Gently massage the oil, on the baby’s scalp, twice a day. In the morning, gently brush the scalp with a soft baby brush, specially designed for babies’ scalps. The flakes will come away on their own.

Coconut Oil

Neem Oil

Some cases of cradle cap are attributed to a fungal infection. Neem oil is one good remedy in such cases. Neem oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Apply a few drops of warm neem oil on the baby’s scalp, at night, and do a gentle massage. In the morning, using a soft-bristled brush, gently remove the crusty patches. Some patches would fall off on their own also.

Neem Oil

Tea Tree Oil

About an hour before bathing the baby, use a few drops of teatree oil to massage the baby’s scalp. Later, using a mild, herbal shampoo, wash off the oil. Doing this, once a week, helps in getting rid of cradle cap.

Tea Tree Oil

Vaseline / Petroleum Jelly

Apply a little petroleum jelly on the crusty patches, just before bath. Using a baby shampoo, wash the baby’s scalp and hair clean. Use your finger tips and be gentle while shampooing. Using a soft towel, pat dry. Regular scalp hygiene in this manner, helps to get rid of cradle cap.

Vaseline / Petroleum Jelly

Olive Oil

Olive oil does the same work as pure coconut oil. Massage a few drops of olive oil, gently, on the cradle cap patches, at night. By morning, most of the patches would have fallen off. Using a soft comb, remove the rest of them, gently.

You can supplement olive oil with either mustard oil or almond oil too.

Olive Oil

Calendula

The beautiful yellow flowers of calendula have anti-bacterial and healing tendencies. Keep a small bottle of calendula herbal oil, handy. Massage the baby’s scalp with this herbal oil to remove the flakes easily.

Else, boil a few calendula flowers in water. Strain the liquid, once it cools. This liquid can be used on the baby’s scalp as a final rinse during bath. This helps in removing cradle cap.

Calendula

Other Tips

Do not prick the flakes. Be gentle.
Breast-feed to enhance baby’s immunity levels.
No harsh shampoos or soaps for the baby.
Boiled fruits and vegetable soups should be fed, depending on the baby’s age.

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