Cradle cap is a form of seborrheic dermatitis which affects newborn infants; seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory condition of the skin. Cradle cap normally does not affect infants over the age of six months, the exact cause of cradle cap is unknown but it is thought to be linked to lack of essential fatty acids, sensitivity to Pityrosporum ovale, a common skin yeast, over activity of the sebaceous glands and failure of the infants skin cells to shed properly. Cradle cap has been confused with severe dandruff but this is not the case. The symptoms of cradle cap can range from a mild case which results in a dry flaky scalp to a severe case which results in a thick yellow waxy crust that builds up on the scalp and can even spread to the face, neck, ears, chest, armpits, groin, and the skin folds between the buttocks.

Changing the mother?s diet can help with her child?s cradle cap, increasing foods which are high in biotin such as liver and eggs in her diet and taking evening primrose oil supplements can help. The infant may have an allergy to certain foods which may cause the cradle cap, implementing an allergy elimination diet may help. Milk, wheat, and eggs are the most common foods to cause an allergic reaction.

Mother?s can massage a small amount of warm olive oil with a few drops of evening primrose oil into the affected areas of their infant?s cradle cap to loosen the skin cells. This should be done before bed, left overnight and washed off in the morning using a mild infant shampoo. Adding a few drops of evening primrose oil to the infants feed can also help.

The following supplements may help if your child is suffering from Cradle cap.

Aloe vera (topical)

Borage oil (topical)

Evening primrose oil (topical)

 

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