How To Cure Cradle Cap And Eczema In Babies?

What if a baby has both cradle cap and eczema at the same time? How can I treat my baby?

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Mom’s Question:

Is it common with cradle cap AND eczema in babies? I mean to have both?

And how can I the cure cradle cap and eczema completely in my 4-month-old baby?

I am using baby oil for her hair and combing it. It takes away some of the cradle cap, but not all of it. I’ve also tried using a toothbrush.

I also found some liquid on her head. Is this common? I am using hydrocortisone cream for eczema. Now it seems to be under control. How do I prevent it from coming again?

Thanks,
Yamini

Treatments For Cradle Cap And Eczema In Babies

You are asking about both cradle cap and eczema in babies, two completely different conditions with different causes and treatments. So I try to answer both.

For a start, both these conditions are common!

Cradle cap affects some 10% of all  babies. After 3 months, the occurrence slowly falls. (Source)

Eczema is also common. Some 10-15% of all children have or have had eczema. (Source)

So your baby is not alone!

How to Get Rid of Cradle Cap

Since cradle cap is likely due to immature enzyme production in newborn babies, you can’t really clear it up once and for all until the baby is old enough. But you can use Borago oil to treat it. Very efficient! Learn more about treating cradle cap here.

Remember that cradle cap is extremely common in babies. Even if you don’t want to let it spread out of control, you might want to accept it to some extent. Trying to get rid of the cradle cap 100% is likely to fail and to cause irritation in your baby’s skin,  especially if it means that you will comb and brush excessively.

Treating Eczema in Babies

Eczema is a whole other business. Actually, science doesn’t really know why it occurs! Babies often get eczema because their skin is too dry. It can also be due to food allergies or being sensitive to detergents, for example.

The ways to prevent and treat eczema are similar. In addition to ointments for treatments (like you already do), here are some steps to take to prevent and mitigate eczema in babies:

Try to avoid soap as much as you can for your baby, since it really makes the skin dry.

Hot baths should also be avoided, as well as excessive sweating.

It is also good if you dress your baby, including any hats, in a material that breathes, such as cotton.

Use a good baby lotion if you have to. And watch for signs of allergies.

You can find several more suggestions on how to mitigate a baby’s dry eczema here.

I am not sure, from what you write if you are sure that your baby has eczema or not. It might be a good idea to show your baby’s scalp to a health nurse for accurate assessment and advice. You can also read more about eczema in children here.  

Good luck!
Paula

More On Cradle Cap And Eczema

• Eczema: The Itchy Rash That Kids Keep Scratching
• Baby Losing Hair Due To Cradle Cap
• Roun Rash On Baby’s Butt – Why?

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Paula Dennholt

Paula Dennholt founded Easy Baby Life in 2006 and has been a passionate parenting and pregnancy writer since then. Her parenting approach and writing are based on studies in cognitive-behavioral models and therapy for children and her experience as a mother and stepmother. Life as a parent has convinced her of how crucial it is to put relationships before rules. She strongly believes in positive parenting and a science-based approach.

Paula cooperates with a team of pediatricians who assist in reviewing and writing articles.