What To Put On Newborn Dry Scalp

Make Sure Bath Water Is The Right Temperature

Bath water should be approximately the same as your babys body temperature: 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If its one or two degrees above or below, thats completely fine.

This water temperature will be most comfortable for your baby. Its also the ideal temperature for your little ones sensitive skin. Use a bath thermometer to easily and accurately check that the water is not too hot and not too cold, but just right!

Cradle Capon Your Babys Bum

In some cases, cradle cap might even extend to your babys bottom. You might mistake it for diaper rash, and its best to treat it the same way: Keep the skin clean and dry, use plain water or mild wipes, and apply a gentle diaper cream or lotion. But since so many things can cause a diaper rash, its best to ask your doctor.

When To See A Doctor

Depending on the condition, dryness of the scalp can last for several weeks. If you do not see any improvement even after trying the home remedies, or if you find inflammation or redness on your babys scalp, seek your doctors advice. They may prescribe prescription-strength shampoos and steroid creams. Do not use steroids on your own without consulting a doctor.

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Proper Bathing And Skin Care For Your Newborn

A newborns skin is soft and delicate. Proper skin care and bathing can help maintain the health and texture of the babys skin while providing a pleasant experience for both of you.

Contrary to popular thought, most babies dont need a bath every single day. With all the diaper changes and wiping of the mouth and nose after feedings, most babies may only need to be bathed 2 or 3 times a week or every other day.

Baths can be given any time of day. Bathing before a feeding often works well. Many parents prefer to bathe their baby in the evening, as part of the bedtime ritual. This works well especially if bath time is relaxing and soothing for the baby.

Sponge baths are needed at first. To prevent infection, bathing in a tub of water should not be done until the babys umbilical cord falls off, and a baby boys circumcision heals.

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Say Goodbye To Your Babys Dry Scalp And Cradle Cap

You love your child more than anything in the world, so it can be concerning to notice they have dry scalp or cradle cap. Just remember that these conditions are not contagious, have nothing to do with hygiene, and are almost certainly not causing your child any discomfort.

Simply follow the 11 tips above and use Mustelas line of gentle, natural, and safe products, like Foam Shampoo For Newborns and Cradle Cap Cream. Your babys scalp will be back to normal in no time!

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When To See A Doctor For Baby Dandruff

Did you know that cradle cap can show up on different parts of the body besides your babys head? It usually starts on the scalp but can sometimes move to the face, groin, and armpits too. Its also itchy and uncomfortable for newborns.

Itchy skin can cause incessant scratching. That, in turn, can cause an infection. As a responsible parent, you should check your babys scalp often to make sure theres no oozing or discoloration present. If you see anything that looks abnormal or unhealthy, call your doctor to set up an appointment immediately.

Why You Should Not Apply Lotion On A Babys Dry Scalp

A dry scalp happens when the oils beneath the babys skin are excessively overproduced. This overproduction causes dead skin around the area to build up. A build-up of dead skin shows on the surface as whitish or reddish dry skin.

Quite obviously, lotion is also oil. When applied to the oily babys scalp, it adds to the already overproduced oil. As a result, the increase of oil on the babys scalp causes more buildup of dead layers of skin. Therefore, it is counterproductive to apply any lotion in the treatment of dry baby scalps since lotion compounds the situation. Rather than applying lotion, moisturize the babys scalp in the following ways.

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Why Newborns And Older Babies Have Peeling Skin

A newbornâs skin is delicate, especially right after birth, and its likely that your infantâs skin may be peeling. Flaky or peeling skin is normal at this stage and doesnât require any special treatment.Basically, in your newbornâs first few days and weeks, the top layer of skin sheds. This skin peeling tends to be more common for babies who were born past their due date.Itâs not just during the early newborn phase that you may notice peeling skin. Childrenâs skin is typically thinner and more delicate than adult skin and this means that it can lose moisture faster and dry out more quickly. Therefore, donât be surprised if at some point you see dryness, flaking, or peeling skin in your older baby or toddler. If your baby has a skin condition like atopic dermatitis , you may also notice more frequent dryness, flaking, or peeling.

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When To See The Doctor

Its easier to distinguish dry skin from other skin conditions. When you apply lotion for dry skin, notice that the skin becomes soft and supple. If your newborns skin still doesnt become soft after taking care of it every day and doing everything you can to get rid of dry skin, then its time to visit the doctor.

If the skin is dry, peeling, or itchy with redness, it could be eczema. Eczema can be bad for your newborn and make things worse for them if not treated at the right time. Visit your pediatrician and dont start treatment by yourself under such circumstances.

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Dry Scalp In Babies Treatment

Dry scalp in infants usually clears out on its own within a few days or weeks. However, there are at home solutions to get rid of it. However, take care that you don’t end up giving an allergic reaction to your baby. A doctor’s advice would be recommended before trying any remedy. Here are some ways to treat dry scalp in babies at home:

1. Olive oil/coconut oil massage

A massage on the head with olive or coconut oil can actually help in reducing the dryness. The flaky skin will start vanishing if you apply these oils gently everyday after giving a bath to the baby.

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2. Use anti dandruff shampoos for babies

You can also try using anti dandruff shampoos, if the pediatrician allows it. Dandruff is another reason for dry scalp. So, eliminating it can actually help your baby overcome this problem. So, if you see baby dandruff signs, you can use those shampoos.

3. Hydrocortisone cream, if recommended by doctor

It is safe to use hydrocortisone cream for a shorter period of time. You can talk to the doctor and only then try this way. Hydrocortisone cream can remove cradle cap, dryness and inflammation.

4. Try changing the shampoo timings

You can also try changing the shampoo timings to see if there’s any change in the stage of baby dry scalp. Sometimes, reducing the number can help, while cradle cap demands more head washing too.

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How To Get Rid Of Cradle Cap:

How Should Cradle Cap Be Treated

Cradle cap will go away on its own and does not need to be treated. If you want, you can wash the hair with a mild baby shampoo and gently brush out the scales to help control it. However, shampooing your babys hair too often will also cause dry scalp.

Baby oil or mineral oil may help soften the scales. When applying the oil, rub only small amounts into the scales. Then shampoo and brush out the oil about an hour later to avoid more build-up.

If your baby has dry, scaling, thickened skin over the forehead, cheeks and behind the ears, this is called seborrheic dermatitis. An unscented moisturizer can be used 2 to 3 times a day on the skin. A mild hydrocortisone cream is safe and usually effective. If this doesnt help, see your doctor. This will usually improve by 4 months of age.

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Cradle Cap Signs And Symptoms

Cradle cap tends to appear between the 2-6 weeks of life. You may notice:

• Greasy, patchy scalp. The skin on your babyâs scalp may look greasy. They may have white or yellow patches of scales on their scalp. Over time, the scales may flake off.
• Changes in scalp color. Sometimes, the skin on your babyâs scalp may just look a different color, rather than scaly or flaky. Cradle cap doesnât feel itchy to your baby, although it looks like it might be.
• Hair loss. Itâs rare, but a baby may lose hair where they have cradle cap. The hair should grow back after the cradle cap goes away.
• Cradle capon other parts of the body. Aside from the head, it can also show up the face, behind the ears, the diaper area, and the armpits.

What Should I Use On My New Babys Skin

Baby-friendly shampoos are also beneficial for your new little one. Make bath time a little less drying by adding a drop or two of bath oil to the water before getting started. Mustelas bath oil preserves the skin barrier to help keep babys skin hydrated. Plus, you can also use it as a cleansing oil when their body is wet.

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Begin Treatment Right Away

The sooner you start addressing cradle cap the sooner it will go away. That means you have to begin treatment as soon as you notice flakes. To stay safe, consult with your pediatrician if youre worried about ingredients or frequency. However, most home remedies are gentle and effective on sensitive baby skin.

Discover Newborn Dry Skin & Diaper Rash Care Below

Newborn babies have incredibly delicate skin, so a little extra care may be needed to help keep their skin looking and feeling healthy. You may notice from time to time that your baby has developed dry skin around their bottom. Always speak to your pediatrician for the best ways to manage dry skin at home.

There are some skin characteristics1 that are common in newborns, for example dry, flaky skin. The sensitive nature of a babys skin as it adjusts to the world outside of the womb means it can easily be irritated by soaps, the weather, and the contents of their diaper, which can sometimes lead to diaper rash.

If youre wondering what to do for diaper rash, and newborn skin issues, like dry skin and dry lips here are some tips that may be useful. Also, its good to remember that many of these tips can be great to use as part of your daily skin care routine for your baby, even as they grow out of the newborn stage.

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Does Baby Oil Help Treat Dry Scalp

Baby oil and other mineral oils may be a good options to treat scalp problems in babies, like cradle cap. This scalp irritation is similar to dandruff. Massage baby oil into your babys scalp to help loosen and remove dry, scaly skin. Similarly, baby oil may help prevent and get rid of dandruff in children and adults.

Symptoms Of Cradle Cap

Cradle cap usually looks like a pale yellow, oily or waxy scale or crust at the back or on the top of your babys head. Sometimes the scale can spread to your babys eyebrows and behind their ears. Some babies even get it on their torsos.

The scale or crust is difficult to peel off. Underneath the scale or crust, you might notice inflamed or irritated skin. On children with lighter skin, the inflammation might look red. On children with darker skin, the inflammation might look brown, purple or grey.

Cradle cap wont bother your baby because it isnt itchy or painful.

If the rash is itchy and doesnt go away, it might be eczema.

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What Is Baby Dandruff

Baby dandruff is a lot like adult dandruff. Its primarily caused by dry skin and could be the result of various factors, from sunburn to the shampoo used on your babys scalp. Weather conditions could also cause it. So, if you suffer from dry skin and that blustery breeze is making you flake, your baby may also be feeling the same effects. Its often nothing to worry about, but its good to keep an eye on especially since, if accompanied by an itchy rash, allergies could be to blame.

Cradle Cap Can Regular Washing Help

Infantile seborrheic dermatitis, more commonly known as cradle cap, is a dandruff-like condition that many babies develop. Its neither harmful nor contagious, and the look of it may bother you more than your baby.

The causes of cradle cap are not precisely known. Some studies suggest its caused by the hormones that rush through the baby and mother before birth. The hormones can cause an overproduction of sebum, which is found in the oil glands.

Others say that a yeast called Malassezia is to blame. Malassezia naturally grows in the sebum along with other microbes. Some pediatricians treat cradle cap with an antifungal serum for this reason . The AAP has additional advice regarding cradle cap.

Many doctors will recommend you wash your babys hair and scalp more regularly when cradle cap is diagnosed. Keeping the hair and scalp clean could help remove excess oil.

Editor’s Note:

One of the best ways to remove the scales is by softening them before a bath using an oil or petroleum jelly. After the bath, gently brush your babys hair with a soft brush.

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Ways To Take Care Of Your Babys Dry Scalp

• If your baby has a dry, flaky scalp, it is best to avoid washing their hair too often. Shampooing helps remove dirt from the hair, but it also strips away the essential oils from the scalp, making it dry and flaky. So, it is best to wash your babys head less frequently.

• Always use mild baby shampoos that do not contain harsh chemicals. Read the labels carefully and avoid products containing sulfates and parabens, as these are known to strip the hair of moisture, making it dry and frizzy.

• If your babys dry scalp is due to dandruff or if they have a cradle cap, consult your pediatrician and use an anti-dandruff shampoo that might help fight dandruff or any scalp infection.

• The key to treating dry scalp is to keep it moisturized. Mineral oils might help provide the needed moisture to the scalp. Olive oil is best suited to apply for dry scalp. As well as olive oil based shampoos. Apply olive oil to your childs scalp and massage it gently. Next, take a soft hairbrush and brush off the flakes. Leave the oil on the scalp for ten minutes, and then rinse it with a mild shampoo. Repeat this once or twice a week based on the intensity of the condition.

• Always cover your babys head with a cap or a scarf when outdoors.

• Make sure you bathe your baby at the optimal temperature . Also, avoid giving them long showers.

Some Tips To Prevent Dry Scalp

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to help prevent dry scalp.

• Use a Moisturizer

If you apply a moisturizer whilst your babys hair is still damp, it will help trap the moisture and prevent your little ones skin from becoming dry and scaly.

• Use a Humidifier

Using a humidifier in your babys nursery can help prevent dry skin particularly in winter. Humid air will steal moisture away from their skin, and a humidifier will help balance this out.

• Consider Changing Formulas

Sometimes dermatitis in babies is caused by a formula allergy. Changing to a hypoallergenic formula like Nutramigen or Alimentum could help alleviate the symptoms.

• Add Omega-3 Oil

Most people know that fish oil is one of the so-called Wonder Foods. Less know that it can be added to formula milk to help with dry scalp.

Omega-3 Fish Oil has a lot of anti-inflammatory properties, and it will be particularly helpful if your babys dry scalp is itchy and irritable. Adding 500 mg once-a-day to your childs formula could really help.

Of course, youd be wise to consult your pediatrician for a recommended brand of fish-oil first.

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