Cradle Cap Home Treatments

The medical term for cradle cap is infantile seborrheic dermatitis. Cradle cap is quite common and will not harm your baby's health. You can recognize cradle cap by its white or yellow scales. These scales, which can become thick, can be found on the infant's scalp. You can get rid of the cradle cap on your own at home.

Shampoo and a Brush

Cradle cap will go away on its own over time. If you want to speed up the process, you can use a mild baby shampoo. Wash your infant's scalp once per day. This will get the scales softened. Use a soft bristle brush and brush lightly back and forth over the scales. Since the scales are soft, they will begin to fall off. Continue this for several days until all scales are gone.

Comfrey Leaves

You can buy dried comfrey leaves and cut 2 oz. of the dried leaves into small pieces. Add them to a pot that is filled with 1 3/4 pints of water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the water so that you collect the leaves. Throw the leaves away and set your liquid in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. After your baby takes a bath, warm this liquid up to room temperature. Dip a wash cloth in it and work it into the baby's scalp. Let it sit until it dries. Do this once a day for up to one week, but you should see an improvement after just two or three days.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Another option is to purchase an undiluted bottle of organic apple cider vinegar. This product has three purposes with regard to cradle cap. It will eliminate any odors caused by the cradle cap. Even more importantly, it will eliminate the cradle cap. Just as significant, it will keep the cradle cap from coming back. Apple cider vinegar is easy to apply. Just soak a cotton ball in the vinegar and dab it on the cradle cap scales. Do this once in the morning and once in the evening. Within two weeks the cradle cap should be completely gone. You can continue using the apple cider vinegar once per day to keep the cradle cap away.