If you see that your neonate is having an area on its body covered with crusty, scaly, greasy spots, no need to be worried about it. This is a skin condition known as cradle cap. The medical name of the disease is seborrheic dermatitis. It is somehow common among the babies of two to three months of age. Except in rare cases, it vanishes within a few months or two to three years even without any medical treatment.



Though it is not infectious and does not irritate the baby, it is imperative to manage cradle cap well so that it does not take any ugly turn. There are a number of ways in which it can be treated. Some of the easiest and most effective methods are discussed here.

Commercial lotions: since cradle cap is a harmless skin condition, no extensive research has been made on it. Yet, some pharmaceutical companies supply commercial lotions to mange the disease. In most of the cases, they effectively to keep the skin condition under control.

Shampoo: if you do not like the idea of using the commercial lotions, you can use shampoo as a means of managing cradle cap. Mild baby shampoo can be mixed with adequate quantity of water and applied to the affected area.

Oils: another effective means of keeping cradle cap well within control is to use oils. Any type of oil, vegetable or chemical can be used liberally on the affected area and the oily scales can be removed after a few hours.

Paste of herbs: in order to manage cradle cap well, paste of homely herb can be used on the affected area. But in this regard, you must know the herbs that work properly without causing any harmful reaction.

These and some other remedies are there that can be used to keep cradle cap under control. Since the disease vanishes automatically, it is not necessary to undertake any rigorous treatment. If you are not sure how to use the alternative medicines, it is safer to use the commercial lotions.