What is the best treatment for cradle cap? Do you have any suggestions?
Cradle cap usually does not have to be treated. It is a harmless form of seborrheic dermatitis that is quite common in newborns and young infants. It appears as a crusty, reddish, scaly rash on the baby’s scalp, often on the soft spot, and creates dandruff-like flakes.
Cradle cap typically goes away on its own well before the baby is 1 year old. Severe cases sometimes persist longer and can show up on the face, neck or buttocks. This may require use of a special shampoo and ointment. Be sure to follow the instructions on the shampoo carefully and to keep it out of the baby’s eyes. If the shampoo does not seem to help, or if it makes the condition worse, stop using it.
Mild to moderate cases of cradle cap can be treated by gently rubbing vegetable oil into the baby’s scalp, letting it soak in for 10-15 minutes, then combing out the flakes and shampooing with a gentle shampoo.
Some experts advise following this procedure daily, while others feel frequent shampooing aggravates the problem by drying out the scalp. A good compromise may be to try it twice a week and see how your baby’s scalp responds.