Cradle Cap Research Paper

Your baby is not even a couple of months old and you notice that there is dandruff like formation on her soft scalp. This is reason enough for you to break into a sweat. Hang on. Before you get all worked up, let us assure you that this condition is very common and absolutely harmless. We give you more information on Cradle Cap.
Symptoms of cradle cap
Cradle Cap is common in infants, though it is possible for toddlers to get it too. You might notice patches of greasy flaky scalp on your baby’s head that might look like dandruff. There might even be certain areas on the scalp that might look like scales and the affected area might even turn red. Cradle cap can sometimes spread to the area behind the ears and even the face, if left untreated. In extreme cases, cradle cap can even lead to a dermatological condition called eczema.
What causes cradle cap?
Well, hygiene or the lack of it, has nothing to do with cradle cap. In fact, its causes are not known. Experts however are of the opinion that an over-active sebaceous gland
might trigger it, but there isn’t enough evidence to back that theory.
Treating cradle cap
Even though cradle cap is not considered to be a serious illness, seeing dandruff-like flakes might leave you feeling very uneasy. There are many ways in which one can deal with cradle cap. Here is a step by step approach to fighting the problem in infants.
1. Shampoo and rinse: Regular shampooing will help reduce cradle cap. In fact if you start washing your baby’s hair really early, you might never encounter this problem. Oily skin can worsen cradle cap, so it is very important to regularly wash your baby’s hair with a mild shampoo suitable for babies. Roughly about two or three shampoo sessions a week should be enough to keep cradle cap at bay. Keep in mind that you should not over-do the shampooing by washing your child’s hair daily, as that may drain out the moisture from her scalp.
2. Graduate to a medicated shampoo: If regular shampooing isn’t curing cradle cap, you might want to take your child to a doctor and get a prescription for a medicated shampoo. Never buy any medicated product for your infant without a prescription from the doctor.
3.
Exfoliate the scalp: Shampooing alone may not help you get rid of cradle cap. You might also have to gently flake it off using a baby hair brush. Make sure that the baby brush you use has soft bristles. Do not insist on scrubbing the flakes off at one go. You will have to keep brushing her scalp more frequently, but each time as gentle as gentle can be. Take extra care not to pick or bruise the scalp while vigorously brushing as it might lead to an infection.
4. Oil Massage: Apart from regular shampooing, another very effective method to treat cradle cap is the regular oil massage. You can use any oil like coconut oil or olive oil to massage your baby’s scalp. If you are not too sure about using a medicated shampoo on your baby’s delicate body, this might be your perfect alternative. Leave the oil on the scalp for a few minutes and wipe it off using a small terry towel. Brush the scalp afterwards. This might be effective in treating the
problem.
5. Wait a while: As mentioned earlier, cradle cap is not really a dangerous condition. It does not hurt to wait for a little while for it to clear off. Most of the time cradle cap will flake off by itself after regular rounds of shampooing, oiling and brushing the scalp. Consider it only as a part of your baby getting adjusted to this world and its many problems. You might be tired of answering those concerned questions from whoever you meet. You might even get judgmental looks from older matriarchs. Stop bothering about all that and trust your instincts. Believe that you are doing the very best possible for your baby. To keep the inquisitive eyes at bay, you can always opt for a nice hat for your baby, but make sure you don’t leave it on for too long because it might make your baby sweat, leaving her feeling uncomfortable.