My baby got cradle cap at one month of age. I got rid of it, and now every week I take preventative measures against it (rubbing in baby oil, then combing it through before shampooing it). She's 10 months old now. How long should I keep doing this?
2006-12-19 10:19:06 · 7 answers · asked by kiko 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Cradle cap has no age limit. I knew a man that was 36 and had cradle cap.
If you don't see any kind of improvement by the time your next doctor's appointment rolls around, ask the doctor to prescribe.a medicated shampoo containing ketoconazole, and hydrocortisone cream for any inflamed or reddened areas that still remain.
2006-12-19 10:44:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If your baby's seborrheic dermatitis is confined to his scalp (and is, therefore, just cradle cap), you can treat it yourself. Don't be afraid to shampoo the hair. In fact, you should wash it (with a mild baby shampoo) more frequently than before. This, along with soft brushing, will help remove the scales.
As for baby oil, it's not very helpful or necessary. Many parents tend to use the unperfumed baby oil or mineral oil and do nothing else. But this allows scales to build up on the scalp, particularly over the rear soft spot, or fontanelle. If you decide to use oil, use only a little, rub it into the scales, and then shampoo and brush it out. Stronger medicated shampoos (antiseborrhea shampoos containing sulfur and 2 percent salicylic acid) may loosen the scales more quickly, but since they also can be irritating, use them only after consulting your pediatrician. The doctor may prescribe some additional medication to treat the scales and redness.
If frequent shampooing doesn't improve the cradle cap, or if the rash spreads to your baby's face, neck and crease areas, call your pediatrician who will probably suggest a stronger scale-dissolving shampoo and also might prescribe a cortisone cream or lotion. One percent hydrocortisone cream is a commonly used preparation.
Once the condition has improved, how can you prevent cradle cap from recurring? In most cases, just by frequent hair washing with a mild baby shampoo. Occasionally, a stronger medicated shampoo may be needed, but let your pediatrician make the decision. Also, after the child's first birthday, the condition will not come back until puberty.
Sometimes, yeast infections will become superimposed on the affected skin, most likely in the crease areas rather than on the scalp. If this occurs, the area will become extremely reddened and quite itchy. In this case, your pediatrician might prescribe some specific anti-yeast cream containing the medicine nystatin. If this is necessary, apply a small amount to the area three or four times a day, and rub it in well.
Rest assured that seborrheic dermatitis is not a serious infection. Nor is it an allergy to something you're using or due to poor hygiene. It will go away without any scars, and your baby will be beautiful again.
2006-12-19 12:01:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to my pediatrition, when my daughter got cradle cap he said it should clear up and not return by 1 year.
2006-12-19 10:36:25 · answer #3 · answered by arfiegel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have seen cradle cap in children up to 1 year old. The doctors always told me that its because the mothers aren't rinsing the shampoo out of the babies hair good enough,and the shampoo will dry out their little heads.
2006-12-19 12:31:56 · answer #4 · answered by April B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I think it is about over by now! I really have no experience in this because my daughter never got cradle cap. I would just say I think she should be ok.
2006-12-19 10:22:41 · answer #5 · answered by mommy of 2 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A baby can have craddlecup up til 8 to 9 mos. This is all to you. When you give your baby a bath. Take a soft brush and brush, his head and continue to, untils gone, You can get rid of it quicker, by using baby old to loosen it from their scalp
2006-12-19 11:33:37 · answer #6 · answered by patricia h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop with the baby oil. Keep washing her hair and scalp really good, though. Keep an eye on it. It's probably gone by now.
2006-12-19 10:38:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
she might have a skin allergy to your laundry detergent or laundry softener if she wears hats and is still getting this at 10 months.... try washing her clothes with a non allergen or 'pure' laundry detergent and softener... they make them with no dies or perfumes in them, and see if it clears up. if it does, then it's an allergy. if she still gets it, call your doctor.
good luck!!
2006-12-19 10:24:10 · answer #8 · answered by Silver Thunderbird 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try not rubbing in the oil for a few days, if you don't see any scales, then it has cleared.
2006-12-19 10:21:53 · answer #9 · answered by missyhardt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋