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Hi Ladies,
My 5 month old son has cradle cap. He has sloughed off all the scales (around 3-4 weeks ago) but there is a fairly large rash left in its place, that seems to be spreading. Currently it covers patches on the top of his head, the sides of his face by his ears, and his forehead. It's often red and a bit inflamed. The doctors here tell me not to do anything about it, that it will go away on its own. I mentioned that it must itch, because he scratches himself and occasionally even makes himself bleed. He often has large scratch marks on his forehead, which of course I can't stand to see! The only suggestion the doctors in Germany have given me is to wipe it down a few times a day with a damp washcloth, and occasionally with a washcloth soaked in black tea to relieve the itching.
Ugh! Do any of you have experience with this kind of thing, and what do Americans use? I'm sick of Germans and their tea-cures-all solutions. What other options are out there?
Thanks for any comments!
Answer:
When my kids had it and were flaky, I made a solution with baby shampoo, a drop of dandruff shampoo and lots of water and washed their hair in it. Just be very careful not to get it in their eyes.
I have also heard that you can loosen up the flakes w/ olive oil. That might help with the itching too because it would kind of moisturise at the same time.
Answer:
It will go away!
My ped. Dr. said to use a soft tothbrush on the areas when you wash his hair.
Seemed to work after a few times. Then I would just use the toothbrush whenever I washed his hair for a few weeks thereafter
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Since he doesn't really have the flaky stuff and more of rash, I would try some cream on it. Is Eurcerin (I think that's how you spell it) avaliable there? It's a an cream for dry skin. I think they make a baby version, but if not you would find the regular kind with the other body lotions at the store. I hope you can find something so your baby can get some relief!
Answer:
it kind of sounds like eczema. but i dont know cus im not a doctor. you might want to try another doctor or a dermatologist just to be sure how to treat it
Answer:
thanks for all the ideas. It's definitely not eczema, the doctor said that specifically because I was worried about it. There are actually 2 doctors in the clinic, and they've both told me the same thing.
I like the idea with the baby shampoo + 1 drop of dandruff shampoo. I'll try that! It's so frustrating knowing that he's itching and not getting proper relief, I hope it helps.
thanks!
Answer:
Our ped told us that cradle cap was actually not dry skin, but overproductive oil glands in the scalp. We did the baby oil followed by shampoo with a softbrush. Let the baby oil sit for about 5 min, then wash out with baby shampoo while scrubbing w/the brush. I like the idea of mixing a drop of dandruff shampoo with. Our ped reccomended a selsun shampoo, that's not what is in regular head & shoulders, but selsun blue. Once it cleared up I kept up with the soft brush and shampoo trick and it seemed to stay away after that. HTH
Answer:
My DD is 5 and she still has a patch of cradle cap. Actually, she now just has really dry skin. She's a redhead.
First of all, she's not allowed to use soap or shampoo very often. I only shampooed her hair once a week. More than that and the patch would get larger.
If it was really bad, I put a dab of Vaseline on the spot. Yes, it made her hair greasy in that area but it was better than her picking at her skin.
Answer:
We used the dandruff shampoo without diluting with baby shampoo!! I just was VERY careful with keeping it out of her eyes. I would let the shampoo sit in her hair as long as possible...and then rinse out with warm water. I did this in the kitchen sink, too, as after I had rinsed her hair and her scalp was still moist, I then took a comb and using gentle pressure, combed and combed, as long as she would let me, breaking up the build up. It made us go through about a week of "dandruff flakes", but after that, it never came back.
My dd also had a problem with build up behind her ears...and I found that putting something something greasy (like vaseline or mineral oil) behind there at night for a few nights allowed it to soak up and wipe off. You might try this in his hair, too, if the combing doesn't work.
Answer:
My 23 month old has a problem w/this but his is yellow flaky sales. His ped told us to use head & shoulders a couple times a week & let it sit on there for as long as possible-BE SURE NOT TO GET IN HIS EYES, and use a soft brush to loosen it up. He also has told us to put Hydrocortisone on his scalp @ night-but check w/your doctor about this one since your baby is so young. The rash that you said has spread onto his forehead & is bleeding sounds so much like Exczema to me-but who knows I am not a doctor, but my son has Exczema on his legs & elbows. Hope this information works for you. Good luck! I wish you had better doctors there for you!!