It is not so common to get flakes on the face and eyebrows. If you see this condition, you must understand that cradle cap is probably spreading.
It could be difficult for new parents to tackle this issue for newborns and children. But, with proper guidance, it is as easy as feeding your loved one.
I have written this guide to ensure you get the best information to care for your baby. Before starting this guide, let me tell you something important.
This condition is not contagious and not harmful. It usually starts from the scalp.
If that has happened to your child and now it is spreading on his/her face, it is better to look for the treatment.
If it is not itching and distressing your child, then this condition is normal.
How to treat cradle cap on face?
Starting from the scalp, it can spread to other body parts like elbow creases, diaper areas, forehead, ears, and skin folds. In most cases, it just sticks to the scalp and fades out on its own without causing any kind of damage.
While picking flakes, hair may also get removed but don’t worry about it. This hair loss is temporary. If your baby has it on the face, it is normal and can be treated easily.
Leaving it as it is is completely safe and will fade out within a few weeks on its own.
If you have decided to take care of it manually, see the cradle cap treatment based on the three steps below.
Massage the affected area
It's time to remove those bothersome flakes manually. Note that you must carefully do this to avoid pain.
I recommend giving a gentle massage for some minutes to remove flakes. You can use coconut, almond, mustard, or olive oil to moisturize the baby’s skin. After getting one, use it during massage and gently rub your hands in a circular motion. This will make overall treatment more effective. If some flakes are stuck hard, don’t rub your hands vigorously. Leave them as they are, and let's move on to the next step to kick them out. To keep your baby comfortable during this process, consider using a Baby Walk Assistant to support them.
Bath your baby enough
This is the rest of the treatment when implemented alongside a medicated shampoo which I have mentioned in the next step.
For any skin condition, it is important to keep the affected area clean. This helps avoid infection and further complications.
Bath your baby as much as appropriate. If your baby is between the ages of 6 months, give him/her two baths a week.
If the skin is dry, sticking to only one bath per week will be better. For children above one year, a daily bath is okay. Overdoing can also cause issues.
If you successfully manage your baby’s bath routine, this will help clean the face and other body parts and loose flakes.
A medicated shampoo for finalizing treatment
This is the point where you need nothing more for the removal of those pesky flakes over your loved one. Note that this method alone is enough.
A dermatologist-approved shampoo for cradle cap, containing Pyrithione Zinc and extracts from natural items, is the best treatment.
Squeeze a small amount of shampoo to your hand and rub your baby’s face and other affected areas. It is better to use it in a bath.
Gently massage the affected area for some minutes to get the best results.
Rinse with water thoroughly to remove residues. Use a towel to pat dry. Don’t rub it vigorously whether your baby is affected by cradle cap or not. Use it two times within a week for optimum results.
Factors to consider alongside treatment
You are done with the treatment if you follow the upper methods properly.
Still, following precautionary measures and avoiding triggers is recommended to prevent complications and get the best out of ongoing treatment.
- Avoid scratching. This can damage your baby’s delicate skin.
- Keep bath timing short.
- Hydrate the skin often to avoid dryness.
- Avoid excessive heat. Sweating can increase the chance of bacterial infection.
- Reduce stress. Baby can also get stress, and the best way to reduce is to massage with oil. This helps make physical and emotional bonds and reduces hormones responsible for stress.
Conclusions
Cradle cap should not be taken seriously if it does not itch or distress the baby.
This is quite common. If it spreads, then looking for treatment is better. This article describes the way you should treat cradle cap on face.
Moisturize your baby often to ensure that your baby’s skin does not get dry. Keep your baby clean and give him/her enough baths.
Use a medicated shampoo to finalize the treatment.
During the treatment, one must follow the described preventions and best practices for better results and avoiding flare-ups.
