Cradle cap can be a pain to remove. And, while prevention is better than cure, here are a few easy home remedies to tackle stubborn cradle cap with ease. Try them today!

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11 Home Remedies for Treating Cradle Cap in Babies

If you find that your child is suffering from cradle cap, you may think of approaching the pediatric doctor. However, skin woes in kids can be treated at home itself. A number of home remedies for cradle cap are available, so you can try out any of these. The children suffering having cradle cap develop rough patches on the scalp. These are scaly and may appear in white or yellow colors. Cradle cap may occur in children up to three years of age. Well, here are eleven effective home remedies for cradle cap that you may try out.

Remove the scaly skin

The easiest way to get rid of the loose, scaly skin is to run your hand around the head of the child and remove them. The dry skin comes out easily when you scrape or peel them off with your hands. However, do not scrape the head too roughly.

Apple cider vinegar

You need to mix water and apple cider vinegar in the ration 2:1 and apply it in the affected area on the head of your baby. Leave it for fifteen minutes and wash it off using lukewarm water. This process has to be repeated twice a week to remove the dry skin from the head of your child.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable and mineral oils help the dry skin to come off easily. You need to apply the oil on the head and leave it for around 2 hours. Now wash the head and wipe it off. Use a soft cloth for wiping the head and rub it in a circular motion. This will eliminate the loose skin from the head.

Vaseline

Petroleum jelly like Vaseline is an effective remedy to remove the dead skin from the head. You need to apply the jelly to the head before going to sleep and leave it overnight. In the morning, you may apply shampoo to wash the area and clean it with a soft cloth.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil softens the scaly skin and helps you to peel them off. Apply coconut oil to the head and leave it throughout the night. Wash the hair in the morning and brush it using a comb. Coconut oil has certain lubricating properties that help the dry skin to come off.

Comb the hair

You may use a comb with fine teeth to brush the hair after massaging the head of the toddler with baby oil. The scales on the scalp will come off during the process. However, brush the hair gently and repeat the process twice a week.

Olive oil

Olive oil contains Vitamin E that prevents various types of infections. Apply the oil to the scalp and leave it for around 20 minutes. It will loosen the dry skin and they will come off easily when you apply shampoo to the baby’s head.

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Tea tree oil

You need to mix almond oil with tea tree oil in the ratio 10:1. Apply this mixture to the scalp of the baby and wash it off with a shampoo after 20 minutes. The flakes of skin will soften and come off when you comb the hair later on.

Medicated shampoo

Doctors often recommend using a medicated shampoo to treat cradle cap in children. The sulphur and salicylic acid content in the shampoo eliminates the loose scales from the head. It contains tar, which is effective in removing the dry skin from the head.

Hydro-cortisone cream

If you want to eliminate the flakes of loose skin in a day, you may apply hydrocortisone cream to the baby’s head. Use the cream before the child goes to sleep at night and after bath in the morning. However, do not use it excessively, as it contains steroids.

Baking soda

Baking soda is alkaline in nature and has the ability to absorb oils. Mix water with baking soda and apply it on the toddler’s head. Wash it off after 15 minutes. You will find it easy to remove the flakes when you brush the hair with a wide-toothed comb.

Cradle cap is common in babies, so you have no reason to worry about. You may opt for these home remedies to remove the scaly skin from the child’s scalp. However, if the dry skin does not disappear after repeated attempts, you must consult a doctor.

References:

http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/150821/7_natural_cradle_cap_treatments

https://www.homeremedyhacks.com/15-effective-home-remedies-to-get-rid-of-cradle-cap/