Cradle Cap
Natural remedies
Can cradle cap be treated with home remedies? The answer is yes - in most cases. Cradle cap is a form of seborrheic dermatitis, which is very common among babies. It is characterized by thick greasy scales with yellow crusts, usually on the scalp. This is an inflammatory skin disease that usually clears up by the time your baby reaches twelve months. But sometimes cradle cap doesn't clear up by itself and might need treatment.
If your child has some signs of cradle cap, it is important to heal the lesions to prevent further stages of bacterial infection. If the flakes become itchy and flaky, show signs of a local infection, or if you child's cradle cap resists home remedies, please seek a doctor for advice.
What causes cradle cap?
Cradle cap is not caused by a bacterial infection, allergy, nor from poor hygiene. Doctors are not in agreement as to the causes, but the two most common hypotheses include fungal infection and overactive sebaceous glands.
The fungal infection can be a result of the mother having being given antibiotics prior to birth or the baby being given them up to a week after birth. Antibiotics destroy damaging bacteria but can also destroy the friendly bacteria that prevent things like fungal infection.
Another common cause of cradle cap appears to be a common manifestation of biotin insufficiency.
Cradle cap: nutrition and diet
When you are breastfeeding, keep in mind that everything you eat passes through your milk to your baby. - Try to avoid refined sugar as it feeds yeast and bacteria.
- Choose sources of essential fatty acids (from fish or oil) instead of saturated animal fats.
- Eat foods made with live bacteria culture including cheese, yogurt, kefir, tempeh, miso, and sauerkraut.
- Supplement your diet with probiotics to help prevent any fungal infections.
Homeopathic remedies for cradle cap
- Sulphur
- Thuja
Other home remedies for cradle cap
There are several alternatives you can use every day. You can massage your baby's scalp and alternate products with:- Calendula cream or vitamin E (helps heal lesions and soothes the skin)
- Aloe vera gel (restores the skin)
- Evening primrose oil (natural anti-inflammatory)
- Almond oil (moisturizing)
- Sage (anti-bacterial)
Try to keep your child's scalp clean and dry after the treatment, in order to prevent cradle cap.
Other remedies to make at home :
- Cradle Cap Oil Remedy: a recipe with almond and tea tree oil
- Oleo Calcareous Liniment: topical preparation widely recommended by French maternity hospitals
Cradle cap remedies: other useful links
- Babies and skin rashes : natural remedies and other tips
- Remedies for diaper rash
- Cradle cap (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Cradle cap: external links
- Dietary reference intake (USDA RDA chart)
- Dosage Guidelines for Herbs and Nutritional Supplements for children
Cradle cap: references
- Janet Zand L.Ac., O.M.D., Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child, Published by Avery Publishing Group)
- Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
- Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
- Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995
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