There are a lot of things that need to be clarified about cradle cap.The reason is that there needs to be more knowledge about this skin condition.
Seborrheic Dermatitis is the parent disease known as dandruff in adults, and we call it cradle cap when it shows up in children.
However, in children, the symptoms are more and slightly severe than adult dandruff. One of the myths about cradle cap is that they cause hair loss. So, is it true or just a false statement?
Well, this article is all about delivering information about this skin condition and looking for whether it causes hair loss or not.
Spend a few minutes from your busy parent schedule on this article to find the answer to frequently asked questions about this skin issue.
What does it look like?
Have you seen those annoying flakes on the scalp in adult dandruff? Those flakes with slightly bigger sizes are also visible in the cradle cap.
It mostly affects the scalp and face, but it sometimes spreads to other body parts, including ears, elbow creases, armpits, diaper areas, and skin folds.
In a moderate scenario, it causes:
- Yellowish or white flakes on the scalp
- Dry skin
- Patches and scales on the skin
- Greasy skin
- Redness
These symptoms are visible in a mild form. If it itches or bothers your child, you should look for its treatment.
Does cradle cap lead to hair loss?
The short answer is “No”. However, this statement is half true and half false. The reason is that it can indirectly contribute to hair loss.
The flakes increase the urge to scratch to remove them. Scratching frequently or picking flakes to remove them can lead to hair loss.
That’s why most people consider that it causes hair loss. It cannot directly damage hair.
However, indirect hair loss is temporary, and you don’t have to worry about it. If you are still concerned about it, I recommend reading the following treatment method to eliminate those yellowish flakes quickly.
How do you get rid of the cradle cap?
If the symptoms do not bother you or your child, then it is completely okay to leave this condition as it is because it will fade out within a few weeks.
The symptoms may disrupt the cute look of your baby. If you want to see your baby as beautiful as it was before the cradle cap, see the methods below to get rid of it.
Give your baby enough bath
Taking enough baths is crucial to keep the body clean, whether the skin is unaffected by any disease. Giving a bath to your baby will help remove flakes and keep the body clean to avoid further complications.
Before doing this, you must identify how many baths your loved one needs. For newborns, 2 baths within a week is enough because they don’t get dirty often. For children over 1 year of age, a daily bath is okay.
However, it still depends on how often they sweat or get dirty. Use tepid water and keep the bath timing short.
Use a shampoo
Shampoo is the ultimate treatment. Still, do not use adult dandruff shampoo because it is strong for sensitive skin.
Baby shampoo is a good option since it is made for delicate skin. However, it cannot treat this skin condition because it is not made to address these types of issues.
It will not be very effective for cradle cap-prone skin. To address this issue, use a medicated shampoo specifically created for treating seborrheic dermatitis symptoms. Use it for a few weeks to get the desired results.
Is it ok to brush out the cradle cap?
During treatment, you might need to brush out some flakes that are not removing otherwise. To do so, use a cradle cap brush which is specifically created to remove flakes from the scalp. It is completely safe and can be used before or during a bath.
To do so, use this brush gently on the scalp. The soft bristles will keep your baby’s skin safe. It will also help your baby relax. Brushing during the bath is recommended to remove flakes easily.
What to avoid?
You must avoid some factors when dealing with seborrheic dermatitis in your baby. Read them carefully to avoid flare-ups.
- Do not expose the skin to irritants and allergens
- Do not expose the skin to heat and sunlight for a long time.
- Avoid sweating. Bath your baby to avoid bacterial infection.
- Do not scratch. It can damage hair follicles and skin tissues.
- Do not use harsh products and chemicals. Only trust medically approved or prescribed products.
Conclusions
Now you know that cradle cap is not a cause of hair loss. Scratching to remove flakes can lead to hair loss.
That’s why you don’t have to spend money on haircare products. Just ignore the flakes or get treatment to get rid of them quickly.
