Cradle Cap in a 17 Mon Old Girl?

My daughter had the same thing when she was younger and the only thing that worked was olive oil and a fine tooth comb. Over the years it would come back periodically. She is now almost sixteen and about 4 years ago I took her to a dermatologist who said she has psoriasis on her scalp. The over the counter shampoos worked sometimes but she now has a prescription that she has to use once a week in addition to her regular shampoo. Best of luck to you.

1 mom found this helpful

My niece is 4 and she still gets flare ups of cradle cap/dandruff. They simply use head and shoulders or selsum blue for a few days until its gone. They've had to do it since she was an infant.

My 6 year old son still has a few spots of cradle cap. His pediatrician also recommended Head and Shoulders, but he said you have to leave it on the head for about 10 minutes to really be effective.

Both my son and daughter had cradle cap when they were babies, the dr told me to use neutragena shampoo, u know the one that is a really dark brown color, anyway it worked really well. I think I only had to use it on them like twice a week, and it may be a little expensive, but it lasts forever. Good luck!

Hi, A., I have friends who have had great success by switching the household totally over to non-caustic products. Getting all the chemicals off the body & out of the home makes a huge difference. If you like, check out saferforyourhome.com, and feel free to contact me if you'd like more information. Good luck! N.

We had the same problem at around the same age. We now use Daily Control 2-1 T-Gel about 2 -3 times a week. We have had no problems since.... And it really doesn't seem to bother her eyes, although we try hard to keep it from running down her face. And it even smells sweet like a baby!

hi A., extra virgin olive oil is your friend! unrefined coconut oil is also wonderful. massage in, leave it there for about 10 minutes, maybe scrub lightly with a soft toothbrush, then wash out with a tiny tiny bit of dandruff shampoo.
:) khairete
S.

Mineral oil works every time. Apply it in her hair, and it will easily slide out with a brush.

Have you tried good old-fashioned dandruff shampoo? You'll have to keep it out her eyes when washing. It was a suggestion by one of my pediatricians. Good luck!!

try Paul Mitchell "Baby Don't Cry" shampoo. If her hair needs conditioning, use their "Taming Spray". Also, as tempting as it is, don't shampoo her every day. Only once or twice a week. Her scalp needs to produce its own natural oils and time for them to do their job. Scalp massage is a good thing.

When my daughter had cradle cap, her dermatologist recommended using Head and Shoulders shampoo on her which really helped. We did a little bit every other day and then brushed her hair afterwards and it was gone in a few weeks.

Head and Shoulders works wonderfully but stings eyes badly so be careful.

My son had cradle cap really bad.. I was offered this solution from a Nurse and it WORKED!! Try California Baby Shampoo-you can get it at Target in the baby section (top shelf or 2nd to top shelf) at the end of the aisle where the lotions are located (all Targets shelf their stuff about the same). This is expensive and a little goes a long way..but it DOES WORK. --I think it moisturizes the skin/scalp so that the skin doesn't flake--and it won't clog the pores like oil can do. Oh and my son has a FULL head of hair..he is now 4

Get her checked for ringworm. It's a possibility. Her ped should take a hair follicle sample and send it to the lab, or meet with a dematologist to verify.

my son had it resurface around 18 months. Wash her hair with Head and Shoulders and it will clear right up in about a week!

Our pediatrician noticed that my son had cradle cap at his 15 month appointment (he's now 19 months). The ped recommended we use head and shoulders, and be extremely careful to not get it in his eyes. Within a couple of weeks it cleared up completely, and now we only use the head and shoulders sporadically to keep the cradle cap from coming back. The rest of the time we use aveeno on him.

Try a dandruff shampoo like selsun blue. The dr. Recommended it when my son had it. Try just a little bit, like the size of a quarter and make sure not to get it in or near her eyes. I used it for a week and have had no problems since. Hope this helps!!! Good luck.

Hi

My son had a bit of this after he was born. My mom who is a nurse bought a fine tooth comb and used some baby oil. She applied the oil then combed it out and this really made a big difference.
Good luck
J.

I've also heard that Head and Shoulders can work well, just be sure to keep it out of her eyes and rinse it out very well. As for the baby oil -- it's just mineral oil which can be fatal if swallowed or aspirated into the lungs. With my older child I had success rubbing a small amount of warmed olive oil onto her scalp with a soft brush to remove scales (even a new, soft toothbrush works well!), then washing her hair. I wouldn't leave any type of oil on overnight in case the warmth of her head made it run into her face, and I wouldn't use baby oil at all.

My daughter had cradle cap until she was 17 months also. I used California Baby® Calming™ Hair Conditioner. I put it on and left it while she played in the bathtub and I combed her scalp with it on there. After I rinsed it out I was able to brush her scalp and almost all of her dry flakes came out. After 2 times of doing this she was completely free of flakes.

Hi A., my daughter also had cradle cap. Her doctor told me to use olive oil. I tried it without success. What finally worked for her was to wash her hair a few times with Head & Shoulders shampoo.

I rubbed olive oil on my baby's head around bedtime and let him sleep with it on and gave him a good shampooing/brushing next day. Cured it completely.