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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffThe following over-the-counter treatments and self-care tips can help you control and manage cradle cap.
- Gently rub your baby's scalp with your fingers or washcloth to loosen the scales.
- Wash your baby's hair once a day with mild baby shampoo. Loosen the scales with a small, soft-bristled brush before rinsing off the shampoo.
- If the scales don't loosen easily, rub petroleum jelly or a few drops of mineral oil onto your baby's scalp. Let it soak into the scales for a few minutes, and then brush and shampoo your baby's hair as usual. If you leave the oil in your baby's hair, the scales may accumulate and worsen the cradle cap.
- Once the scales are gone, wash your baby's hair every few days with a mild shampoo to prevent scale buildup.
References
- O'Connor N, et al. Newborn skin: Part I. Common rashes. American Family Physician 2008;77:4.
- Belsito D. Dermatitis, including atopic, contact, seborrheic, and stasis. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/education/students/dermatitis.htm. Accessed April 6, 2010.
- Johnson BA, et al. Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. American Family Physician. 2000;61:2703.
- Plewig G, et al. Seborrheic dermatitis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2951940. Accessed April 6, 2010.
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