Cradle cap commonly forms in folds or the skin areas excessively exposed, which is characterized by dandruff and yellowish shingles in the head skin of infants. Where does this disease come from? What are the causes and symptoms of cradle cap? And, how to eliminate the pathology? Let’s discover together necessary information of cradle cap.
What is Cradle Cap?
Cradle cap is a phenomenon featured by skin disorders due to oil inflammation and accumulation. The disease directly affects the scalp and results in itchiness, redness and dandruff mainly in the head skin of little kids.
Like other skin diseases such as hornbills, leeches, eczema, urticaria and dermatitis, cradle cap doesn’t threaten the life of the patients but it causes discomfort and loss of aesthetics for children.
The Major Reasons of Cradle Cap
Until now, there is no scientists that have discovered exactly what the disease was caused by. However, there are some pathogens that may cause as mentioned below:
- Due to the growth of the yeast called Malassezia along with external bacteria in the oily skin areas.
- The frequent weather changes, especially when the weather turns to winter.
- Some neurological conditions such as Parkisonism.
Some Indications of Cradle Cap
Common symptoms of catching cradle cap in your child including:
- Wide-spread or thick plagues on the scalps.
- White scaly skin easily turns into yellow.
- The scales are tightly attached to the hairs leading to the pores clogged and hair loss.
- Oily head skin, itching and even soreness in the scalps appear.
Cradle cap is not a life-threatening illness but it can be uncomfortable and unsightly. When it comes to adults, cradle cap will become a matter of concern whenever they experience their children catching the pathology. However, they will not have to worry about the problem because it is claimed that treating cradle cap by using a combination of self-care steps at home and over-the-counter medications.
Home Remedies for Cradle Cap
- Coconut oil
Coconut oil is one of the most popular natural ingredients commonly used to make masks for skin nourishing. It is considered as a kind of organic drug which effectively treat cradle cap.
In the composition of coconut oil, vitamin E, enzymes and lauric acids are primarily presented with effective moisturizing, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. To use the remedy, mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with distilled water at a ratio of 90:10 and get the mixture applied over the affected areas daily for 4 weeks before the bedtime. Leave it overnight and rinse off with warm water and a soft towel the following day to get your skin well- moisturized while the amount of bacteria and sebum are also effectively removed.
- Honey and salt
Function as a natural sanitizer, the mixture of salt and honey is one of the effective remedies for cradle cap. What you need to do is mix 2 teaspoons of pure honey with half a teaspoon of salt to make a puree mixture. Apply the combination on the head skin twice per day in the morning and evening. Only wipe the mixture off after 1 hour applied. The method is extremely efficiency if applied regularly for 3 weeks,
- Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is the popular natural ingredient used to improve several familiar skin problems. Typically, women use aloe vera to make masks for skin whitening and moisturizing. In addition, Aloe Vera has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-inflammation and allergy effects to heal the wounds quickly and cleanse dead skin cells.
Wash the prepared Aloe Vera leaves and then, cut them into small pieces. Peel the outer part of the leaves and rub the mucus inside on the head skin damaged by cradle cap. Do the home treatment for your child several times a day within 3 or 4 months to receive the best outcomes.
- Black beans
Not only is nutritious kind of food, black bean is also an effective medicine used to cure cradle cap in the ancient time. The treatment can be done by getting the black beans roasted and simmering them in the kettle for 5-10 minutes. After that, take the water to drink. Add sugar if it is difficult for you to drink.
It is advised to drink the water from black beans every day, especially in the morning. Implement the therapy within 2 to 3 months to see how it can work wonder.
- Honey
Being considered as a naturally antibiotic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and fungicidal properties, honey can help remove harmful bacteria and enhance the skin regeneration. In addition, the large amount of vitamin E presented has skin moisturizing effect with the anti-inflammatory substances necessary for the treatment of cradle cap.
Using honey to cure cradle cap is very simple. Mix 1 teaspoon of purified honey with a little chlorine-free distilled water with the ratio of 90% honey per 10% water. Place the mixture directly over the scalps so that the damaged skin areas can absorbs all the prepared ingredients. 1 hour later, rinse the skin off with lukewarm water. It should be done at night, and regularly every day for 4 weeks.
