3 Month Old with Dry Irritated Scalp

My 3 year old daughter has suffered with this condition since birth. We thought it was cradle cap for a long time, but it never went away. She was diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis and also told this may be eczema and/or psoriasis. It can be frustrating. Her pediatrician referred us to a dermatologist who put her on a steroid cream for her eczema (which she also has on her arms and legs) and a special oil that you rub onto the scalp at night and wash off in the morning. We saw a difference almost immediately and now she is almost completely free of this condition. The oil is a prescription so you would have to see a dermatologist for it, but it works wonders. Good luck to you. Keep me posted!

Our grandson had bad eczema. Eucerin cream is OTC and proved helpful. There are even 'store' brands of it. Dermasmooth (or Derma-Smoothe -- not sure on the spelling) was also very effective, but it's only available by prescription.

Is this just cradle cap? A couple of my kids had (one still has) dairy allergy, and their eczema wasn't on their scalps but on the rest of their bodies- cheeks, back, thighs, etc. I'd try the baby oil suggestion. Good luck!

coat his head with baby oil (olive works to). massage it into his scalp and let it sit at least 15 minutes. take him into the shower with you and masssage his head under the water. take a fine tooth comb and then comb his scalp lightly in all directions. rinse again. you might have to repeat in a few days. part of the problem is that once the scalp is dry or irritated it does not cause much to keep it that way.

My daughter had the same scaly scalp and forehead. Her doctor gave her a prescription for a hydrocortoze cream. It cleared it right up. I would try an over-the-counter cream before I got the prescription. Good Luck.

Hi K..
Our skin is the largest organ in our body. When something is not "right" on the inside, our skin shows it on the outside.
My daughters and I all have eczema and skin irritations. I have be very very particular in what I use to bath them and wash their hair. I use all natural soap on them (Dr. Bronner's) which health stores sell or you can order on line. I would switch from regular baby soaps and use something a little less irritating with more natural ingredients and give that some time. It has done wonders for us. I do wish you the very best!!!
God bless you for nursing your son! It was the best thing I could have ever done for my daughters.
W. from Indiana

Hi K.,
Could it be "cradle cap"? Very common around this age. Both my girls had it. They just had to grow out of it. Doc said the worse thing to do to it is start picking at it. Aquafor and other vaseline type gels helped tremedously. Good luck, L. F.

Hi K.,

My oldest son had (and still has) eczema. We couldn't use any of the great smelling baby soaps on him... the doctor recommended Dove liquid soap for sensitive skin or Cetaphil liquid skin cleanser. The Dove is much less expensive - but I buy Cetaphil when I can find it on sale. The doctor also said to make sure I apply lotion to the problem areas within 3 minutes of getting out of the bath. I use Aquaphor - it's like vaseline and it's pretty thick... but it works wonders. He's used to the routine now - we get out of the tub and put lotion on the "itchy spots".
Good luck!

sounds like cradle cap. look it up on line see if thats what it looks like. if it is they have kits you can use that you get at the drug store

A friend experienced this same issue when her son was around that age, and after trying all sorts of dietary changes thinking it was her diet in the breast milk, finally discovered it was basically a yeast infection on the scalp. She started giving him a daily probiotic and it cleared up right away.

Since you noticed that it flared up when you ate eggplant, I am wondering if he is allergic to nightshades.

Potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, tamarios, pepinos, pimentos, paprika, cayenne, and Tabasco sauce are classified as nightshade foods.

You can google or ask your doctor to find out more.

Good luck!

I agree with your other responses, its most likely cradle cap. My son had it really bad when he was that age. Try putting a little baby oil on his head and covering it with a cap that fits nicely. Let him sleep in the cap.

In the morning put a little more oil on his head. Keep it on for at least 24 hours. Then wash his head with a baby wash cloth. Use a soft bristle brush made for babies and brush the remaining flakes out. You may need to try this a couple of times in a week, but it worked great and I never had a problem with it again :)

I am not too sure with all the allergies that your son has, but it is possible that it may be what is known as "cradle cap." My son had it, but it had nothing to do with any type of allergies. His whole scalp looked like a patch work of flakes that hadn't gotten off of his skin. My mother in law got it off for me by cleaning it well with something. I do know that it took her more than an hour or two.

With your son's allergies, I would be sure to check with the doctor to be sure.

The other mothers have some great suggestions. My girlfriend swore by Boudreaux's Butt Paste.

Good luck and God Bless