Infantile Cradle Cap - Symptoms and Treatments
What is cradle cap?What is the cause? No one really knows why some otherwise healthy infants develop cradle cap while others do not. Some authorities propose the mother, just prior to giving birth, had a hormone "rush" across the placenta and this energizes the scalp of the newborn and over stimulates the baby's oil-producing (seborrheic) glands while not being able to slough off the old cells. This messy crust builds up and it's called cradle cap. What we do know is that it's not caused by poor hygiene or allergies. It's not contagious, and it probably doesn't bother your baby at all, although if it gets severe it might itch. When this rash occurs on the scalp alone, it's known as cradle cap. Although it may start as scaling and redness of the scalp, it can extend to the face, neck and arm pits too, and when it does, pediatricians call it seborrheic dermatitis (because it occurs where there are the greatest numbers of oil-producing sebaceous glands). Seborrheic dermatitis is a noninfectious skin condition and is a form of eczema that's very common in infants, usually beginning in the first weeks of life and slowly disappearing over a period of weeks or months. Unlike atopic or contact eczema, it's rarely uncomfortable or itchy. How is it diagnosed? Cradle cap is diagnosed by physical examination. If it has not improved with simple treatment, other diagnoses should be considered and other tests may be necessary. How should it be treated? Generally, cradle cap does not need to be treated as long as it doesn't bother you or the baby. If your child's seborrheic dermatitis is confined to his scalp (and is, therefore, just cradle cap), you can treat it yourself. Don't be afraid to shampoo the hair. In fact, you should wash it (with a mild baby shampoo) more frequently than before. This, along with soft brushing, will help remove the scales. If frequent shampooing doesn't improve the cradle cap, or if the rash spreads to your baby's face, neck and crease areas, call your pediatrician who will probably suggest a stronger scale-dissolving shampoo and also might prescribe a cortisone cream or lotion. One percent hydrocortisone cream is a commonly used preparation. The following treatments can also be effective although they may need to be repeated to prevent reoccurrences: * Rub a little olive oil into the baby's scalp before bedtime. This will allow the oil to soften and loosen the scales. In the morning comb the hair with a fine-tooth comb, or soft brush. *Rub a small amount of Jojoba Oil into your baby's scalp. The oil will solubilize sebum or excess oily scalp build up and make it easier to brush or comb away. To learn more about other child health, hygiene and social issues, go to http://www.KidsHygieneAndHealth.com. Kaaryn Walker is the owner of http://www.KidsHygieneAndHealth.com, offering information, tips and support about childhood hygiene and health related issues. The web site also has an "Ask the Expert" section which allows parents seek answers from trained healthcare professionals and tips from other parents.
Related News
The Lie We Love - RH Reality Check
The Lie We LoveRH Reality Check, DC -Jan 7, 2009DNA testing showed the toddler to be Escobar's child. In a similar case from 2006, Raquel Par, another Guatemalan woman, reported being drugged while ... |
UPDATED: The Top 10 Evil Babies! - FEARnet.com
FEARnet.com |
UPDATED: The Top 10 Evil Babies!FEARnet.com, PA -4 hours agoWell, that’s another story, especially when those babies are so evil they’ve either been planted by Satan himself or have grown into a terrifying toddler... |
Babies and Mobiles part 4: quick-learners! - IntoMobile
Babies and Mobiles part 4: quick-learners!IntoMobile, CA -Jan 8, 2009So I’ve had a bit of a break since the last post I wrote about the relationship that Mobiles have with my Baby (soon to be Toddler) – you can check out the ... |
Ben And Jen And Babies Make 4! - TheCelebrityCafe.com
Ben And Jen And Babies Make 4!TheCelebrityCafe.com, NY -Jan 7, 2009The attractive Hollywood couple have one older daughter together, toddler Violet, age 3. Garner most recently was in "Juno," as a mother-to-be. ... |
Baby Swimming Lessons Add to Holiday Fun with Keycamp - PR Web (press release)
Lots of angles in making your house safe for tots - Boston Herald
My Superpowers Came In Handy Again. - Seattle Post Intelligencer
My Superpowers Came In Handy Again.Seattle Post Intelligencer -Jan 4, 2009I will help open doors for people with strollers/babies/toddlers. I will help babysit now and then. I will even change diaper blow-outs and have many times. ... |
Convertible Cribs - Cradling Your Sweet Ba - Meadow Free Press
Convertible Cribs - Cradling Your Sweet BaMeadow Free Press, ID -1 hour agoOften, convertible cribs change to toddler beds using the safety bed rails. Many come with conversion kits that make this watercolor for the consumer. ... |
Medical Center community classes - Star Community Newspapers
Medical Center community classesStar Community Newspapers, TX -17 hours agoFamilies of babies with special needs are encouraged to attend. Sign for Baby: Tuesdays, through Feb. 24, 7 n 8 pm $80 per individual, $120.00 per couple. ... |
Jardine Expands Recall of Cribs Sold by Babies R Us Cribs Pose ... - US Recall News (press release)
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Front Packs vs. Baby Back Packs
For ages caring parents have carried their babies with them as they completed errands, chores and daily tasks. In case you haven't heard, there are multiple benefits of carrying your baby with you for a good part of the day. Some of these benefits include:
Stimulating your baby's development.
Raising your baby's social awareness.
Reducing colic and stimulating quiet awareness.
Freeing your hands to take care of daily chores or tasks.
Simplifying shopping trips without having to worry about placing your child in an unsafe shopping cart.
14 Steps To Reducing Your Infants Reflux
Many of the things listed below will help with your baby's discomfort and spitting up, eliminating the need for medication.
How to Have the Perfect Baby Boy Invitations
Baby boy invitations are the first thing you'll need to share the good news of the new arrival with all your friends. It's time to celebrate and baby showers are the perfect way to express love and thoughtfulness to the mother and baby to be.
My RAD Child
When I say RAD you may think of a child that is far beyond the normal. Well, mine is in a way. You see, in this case RAD stands for Reactive Attachment Disorder. If you haven't heard of this condition before, you're not alone!
Playing Baby Computer Games ? The New Parent-Child Tradition?
Imagine cuddling up with your small child to look at a picture book together that is interactive, musical, responsive and talks to you?
Four Problems and Solutions on Feeding Your Newborn
Parents always want to give their babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, there is nothing like breast milk. Although it's sound so easy to give breast milk to baby, for some women, there are always problems. Here are some problems that might happen and the best solutions you might want to try if you face such problems below:
Baby Shower for Mom and the Ladies
Baby Shower for Moms who just wanna have fun! This type of baby shower is not the only type of shower given today. Traditionally, baby showers have been thrown for mommy-to-be and the guest list was strictly women.
A Birth Announcement That Is Both Practical and Sentimental
The best birth announcement is both practical and sentimental. Welcome your new baby into the world in a very special way. Tell everybody your good news with a photo or a more traditional announcement. Sending out baby announcements has become a common tradition in our culture today.
Perfect Baby Shower Hostess Gifts
Picture this; you are invited to a baby shower. How do you show your appreciation for the hostess who had put the whole affair together? By giving her thank you gifts. This is the best way to show a little thanks to the person who put the whole affair together.
The Truth About Baby Bedding
Imagine your little baby in her nursery. So happy in the colorful new home you have prepared for her. Watching the Mobile. Lying down comfortably in her crib.
Comfortably in her crib. That depends on the bedding sets you use. Babies have very delicate skin. A baby's skin is so much thinner than adult skin. Some babies are very sensitive to their surroundings.
The first thing you have to take into consideration when it comes to baby bedding, is comfort. Will the fabric make baby's skin itch?
Ideally, the best fabric to use for baby bedding is cotton. Preferably 100% cotton sheets in summer, soft warm flannel for winter. Wool may be itchy but that depends on the baby.
Next, because babies have such sensitive skin, you must keep the crib bedding clean and dry. Babies urine and pass motion frequently in their clothes. If their nappies leak, the bedding gets stained.
Disposable diapers are way more convenient as compare to cloth nappies. With cloth nappies, the nappies leak every time the baby urines which can be nightmarish for an exhausted new mother to clean up after. Disposable diapers allow the baby to stay dry after a few rounds of urine, but once baby strains her face and you know she has just moved her bowels, do change her diaper.
When baby dirties herself, clean her up right away. Leave her in dirty nappies longer than necessary and she will probably develop a nappy rash. Babies with nappy rash itch, cry a lot and are generally miserable. Keep a tube of diaper rash cream at hand to treat the problem, just in case.
You can get these baby products at very affordable prices at Cheapest Sale Baby Products.
A vinyl cover over the mattress itself keeps the mattress from getting soaked through. Remember to cover it with clean cotton bedding and to change it whenever it gets dirty. You do not want baby to suffer from skin allergies from dirty bed linen.
For safety sake, get baby to sleep face up or on the side. Don't let baby sleep lying on its stomach. A BBC article about cot deaths links cot deaths with the baby sleeping on its stomach. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/520993.stm
Finally, since baby is going to spend most of her time in the crib, even while she is awake, give her something to look at. Cotton baby bedding with friendly patterns, little animals, or other interesting pictures keep her occupied, and stimulate her mind. Plain white crib bedding sets without any patterns are really boring. They do not give baby anything to look at. To make matters worse, plain sheets show up stains glaringly. Patterned bedding sets are more forgiving in this aspect. Besides, babies would find pattern bedding more interesting.
Luxury Baby Bedding - What to Look For Before You Buy
When buying luxury baby bedding, perhaps first decide what style and fabric you like best. When you decide what luxury baby bedding you want, mix and match colors and patterns on your baby's bed. Different flower fabrics mix well with solid or stripe materials, for example, but keep them all in the same color family.
Sweep Away Colic Baby Crying with White Noise
It doesn't make sense does it? You do everything possible as a new parent to keep your baby healthy and happy. So why is it, your baby decides to start screaming inconsolably right around dinner time? Just when you need it least.
Human Milk Bank Donor Helps Premature and Sick Infants and Children
Lisa Fozo (37), a Fair Oaks resident, wanted to breastfeed so much that when her two sons didn't latch on, she pumped her own milk and bottle fed it to them. With her first child, Alex, (5) she had an excess of milk and had to discard it. But when she had her second child, Kyle, (15 months) Mercy Hospital of Folsom referred her to Karen Evon, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Evon is also part owner of Maternal Expressions in Folsom, a maternity and breastfeeding specialty store. Evon advised Lisa to donate her surplus milk to the Mother's Milk Bank in San Jose, California.
Is It Colic, Infant Reflux, Or GERD? Learn How To Tell The Difference
It can sometimes be difficult for a parent to understand whether the baby has colic or reflux (and even GERD) since some of the symptoms (eg. poor sleep, constant crying) can be similiar. It's also extremely important to rule out reflux as a cause of this crying, as it's becoming widely acknowledged that many cases of colic are actually undiagnosed and untreated cases of reflux. In these cases, simply treating the reflux may eliminate the colicky behavior.
Should I Call The Doctor If My Baby Has A Fever
Sooner or later, your new baby will develop a fever. It would be a rare child who does not come down with some kind of illness that elevates their temperature. Babies can get fevers for a variety of reasons, and understanding the whys, can help you determine if you should call your doctor.
White Noise for Baby Stops Colic Crying Fast
It's true. Colic is MUCH harder on the parent than the infant. My daughter survived six months of colic unscathed. My husband and I are a different story. We have deep psychological scars that send us scurrying for the nearest exist every time we hear a baby cry.
When Not To Begin Potty Training
Potty training can be a stressful experience for you and your child. It's best to start potty training when your child has an established daily routine and is not dealing with any additional stress. Potty training should be the only major change in your child's life.
The Personality Traits of a Pisces Baby
Your Pisces Baby..
Baby Sleep Tips
Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be a challenge for new parents. Here are some tips so that both you and your baby can get a good night's rest.
10 Ways to Make Toilet Training Fun & Exciting
Blue & Yellow Make Green - Put a few drops of blue food coloring in the toilet and show your child that the color turns green when he or she pees!
|
