My two-year-old child still has traces of cradle cap on her head which recurs every time I remove it. Is this a problem? Should I just ignore it or how should I treat it?
Conventional remedy
Cradle cap is a common skin condition of infancy and toddlerhood. It consists of thick, yellow patches on the scalp, forehead and behind the ears. It is also known as seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp and often appears within the first few months of life. It can recur and may appear periodically in children up to five years old.
The condition is relatively harmless and usually disappears over several weeks or months. However, in recurring cases it can make the skin more vulnerable to infection, and can lead to bacterial or yeast infection. For the child it may be itchy or irritating in addition to looking unsightly.
Occasionally, the condition can spread to other parts of the body, for example the creases of the neck, armpits, nappy area and face.
Treatment includes keeping your child's scalp clean by washing daily with a mild baby shampoo.
For more severe cases, a medicated shampoo prescribed by your doctor should help resolve the problem. A secondary infection may need an antibiotic cream.
Applying oil to the plaques and removing them may work but it may also aggravate the condition.
Care should be taken not to scrub too hard when washing your child's hair. Stronger shampoos can have a drying effect, which does little to alleviate the problem.
Dr Muiris Houston
Alternative remedy
Cradle cap is very common in babies and young children. It is an unsightly condition that causes flaky patches or crusts of skin on the scalp, although the scalp itself is often greasy.
Traditional remedies usually involve applying olive oil to the scalp and combing it through. Olive oil can be a bit too harsh for a baby's scalp. A gentler alternative is to use almond oil instead. Add one drop each of geranium and eucalyptus essential oils to 10 millilitres, or two tablespoons, of almond oil (for babies under two years of age double the amount of almond oil). Mix this well and rub into the child's scalp once a day until the cradle cap goes. Geranium will balance the skin on the scalp so that it is neither too dry nor too greasy. Eucalyptus will keep the area disinfected and help with any itching.
Another option is to add one drop of tea tree oil to a 50 millilitre-size bottle of baby shampoo. Use this daily, making sure that the bottle is well shaken before use, and be careful to avoid the eyes when rinsing away. Use this every day for a week or until the scalp is clear and then occasionally as the need arises.
Ciara Mulkeen
•Ciara Mulkeen, who is based in Dublin, is on the register of qualified aromatherapists held by the International Therapy Examinations Council in the UK. Tel: 0044-208-9944141 www.itecworld.co.uk
•The advice in this column is not intended as a substitute for advice received directly from a medical doctor or alternative practitioner. You should receive a thorough diagnosis before embarking on treatment