Yup, coal tar. I don't know if all of them use the same thing, but this is a pretty high end shampoo, so I'm guessing that most dandruff shampoos have something at least that nasty. I don't want to put that on my baby's head, let alone in his eyebrows!! Especially considering that I don't even use soap on my babies' sensitive skin, but just bathe them with warm water and a washcloth.Then I remembered that my mom had had a soft plastic brush that she always used to loosen the crud off the baby's head (again just using the gentlness of warm water). So I went hunting for one...I looked in every store in town (and I lived in a big town at the time!) and I was not able to find anything appropriate, so finally I figured out something else:
A soft bristle toothbrush.I even labeled it so that nobody accidentally scrubs a toilet with it ☺
So that's what works for me! See more "works for me wednesdays" by clicking the icon below.
ACV! My second child had cradle cap so bad it covered his forehead down to his eyebrows. It was more than just dry flaky skin, it oozed and got crusty. I, too, was told to use dandruff shampoo by the doctor (this was back when we went regularly). After quite awhile of nothing working I used ACV. Worked like a charm.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason it takes me awhile to remember this trick with each kid. I remembered this time *before* he started to get it. Yay me!
(translation: ACV = apple cider vinegar)
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Thanks for this idea! My daughter has been having this issue and I can't stand seeing it on her head but I don't like picking at it either. (And thanks to Mommy Bee for the translation on the other commenter!) :)
ReplyDeleteOur pediatrician always reccommends baby oil and a comb. But I can see not wanting to put even baby oil near their eyes. I'm surprised to find that just a soft bristled toothbrush and water work.
ReplyDeleteCoal tar! lol. That's great. I remember my sister had dandruff shampoo like that when we were teenagers.
ReplyDeleteAnyway. I also used a toothbrush with Bug when he had cradle cap. Most parenting books say using a baby brush is effective...but I didn't find that to be the case. The toothbrush bristles are just a little bit firmer and worked wonders (followed by vacuuming, of course! :D) Interesting about using ACV. I don't know if I would like to cover up precious baby smell with it though. Only if the cradle cap was bad enough, I guess!
I have one of those brushes you describe. I think the hospital gave it to us. Along with the thermometer that lied to me one night and told me that Willem had a 107 degree temperature!
ReplyDeleteBelle has some serious cradle cap going on right now, but I've been leaving it alone because she has enough hair that its not obvious. I think that I will let it go away on its own. But if one of these days, I decide I want to do something about it, I just may try that brush, some water and maybe the apple cider vinegar rinse I use on my hair.
Thanks for the tip and clueing me into "Works for Me Wednesday." I like it.
You and I are on the same wave length I swear!
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for one of those really soft brushes that they use in the hospital. I had one and my hubby thought it was "old" so he threw it out! ugh!
I don't use soap on the newbie either.
The other ingredient you will find in dandruff shampoo is salicylic acid. You also find it in acne medications, wart treatments, and I think I've seen it used for athletes foot. It really just peels the top layer of skin off.
ReplyDeleteI've used a paste of baking soda, same idea as the gentle tooth brush.
Though it seems like my kids cradle cap never really 'went away', both of them get crusties on their scalps. I'm sure it would be less if they let me wash their hair more than once a week....
Harrison has super dry skin and his scalp gets yucky in some spots but I just pick it off. My babies love to have their heads rubbed so it works for both of us. You can use olive oil too. If it's not really bad a nice gentle baby lotion is always nice to rub into their hair and scalp. I do that and then use a toothbrush to work it into the scalp.
ReplyDeleteGood job finding something that works. I just had my baby in the bath, got his head wet and used a regular comb. It took it all off.
ReplyDeleteI didn't do anything with my 2nd and 3rd kids so they both have issues on their heads. I tried to get my 2 yr old into the tub to remove hers but she is too big to let me do it.
Don't forget that most of the time a cow's milk allergy presents itself as "cradle cap". Just food for thought especially if the cradle cap is still present at 2+ years.
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