Cradle Cap Spreading to Face?

Hi E.,
You might consider asking for a referral to a dermatologist. My daughter never had cradle cap, but after asking multiple times about the bumps/redness on her cheeks and being told it was dermatitis, and about the bumps on her upper arm and being told the same thing, she was diagnosed with Keratonin Pilaris last month (at 16 mos old). KP is an inherited skin condition (not contagious). But I was so stressed out by what I might be doing or not doing to cause the "dermatitis" that it makes me angry that they were so dismissive and that it took so long to diagnose her correctlyl. Go for a specialist. I think you will feel better!
K.

Hi, E., It sounds as if your daughter has eczema. I would suggest that you take her to a dermatologist for a second opinion. In the meantime you can start with changing her soap to a milder one like cetaphil or aveeno. Just to help her. You didn't say whether or not she was scratching her face but I'm pretty sure she is irritated in some way. If you are giving her formula you may have to change her formula to a soy-based product as milk-based products tend to irritate the skin. I'm surprised the doctor told you to use selsun blue as it is quite strong. A milder way to treat craddle cap is to put olive oil on the scalp and brush it with a soft brush which lifts the patches. Then rinse her hair with a mild shampoo. I hope this helps.

Skin conditions like cradle cap are evidence for dysbiosis, or wrong organisms living in the body. The baby gets the correct organisms, human form lactobacillus, at the time of birth through the birth canal if the mother has them. If born c-section or the mother is deficient herself, the baby is born deficient. Then the bad yeasts, viruses and bacteria take over, building up toxins and causing many chronic diseases later in life.

How do you fix it? Give her the good, human form lactobacillus called HMF (Human Microflora). She needs the neonate form for newborns. After age 18 months she needs the HMF powder form. As we get older, the bacteria population in our gut changes. Cow form lactobacillus, like what you find in stores or in yogurt, is great for young cows, but doesn't colonize humans. The bacteria are species specific. HMF can be found on my web site.

By replacing the good bacteria for about 1 1/2 years, you ensure your baby's good health for the rest of her life.

L. S. Cheek, MD
www.sevenpillarstotalhealth.com

My now 2 year old daughter had the same thing when she was about 2 months old. The only thing that ended up happening was Burt's Bees Apricot Oil. I would rub it into her scalp and skin right after her bath each night and her hair really didn't dry all that oily. It was actually pretty soft. I was afraid it would look "slicked back" like Grease. Hee hee. But, it didn't and it smelled great too! You can get it at Rite Aid and Walgreens I know for sure. It was gone within about 6 weeks. Hope that helps!

start using aveeno moisturizing baby wash to clean, avoid hot water in the tub, bathe only like every 3 days if possible, then follow with Aquaphor baby moisturizer (it's kind of like vaseline but way better). As for the cradle cap put vaseline all over her head then brush all the dead skin of with a bristle brush then wash. I also think a dermatologist would be a good idea, they can perscribe a steroid if really neccesary. My little one had to get on one and after about 8 months her issues went away.
Good luck.

We never had cradle cap as badly as you do, but three of my children got cradle cap. Their cradle cap got better immediately after I rubbed olive oil on it and then washed out the olive oil with baby shampoo. We also stayed away from milk, but that was because I have tummy issues from milk. Olive oil after baths also prevented eczema outbreaks for one of my children.

My baby boy is almost 4 months old with the same problem. His started on his scalp and then moved to his eyebrows and ears. Then it spread to his back and elbows. I called my pediatrician and she recommended Weleda Calendula cream for over the counter options. She has something stronger available in her office, but I don't remember the name. Anyway, I had just bought Aveeno moisturizing wash and lotion for dry skin and exzema, so I've been using that for the past 3 days. I figured I would give the Aveeno at least a week before going out to buy the other product. I am seeing improvements already. His skin is much smoother and softer. So I will continue the Aveeno for two weeks. If the problem is still not gone, I will try the other product. Hope this helps.

It's Sephoria (i'm sure I have mispelled it) but that is what it is, we have an excellent Pediatrician, she suggested medicated Selsun Blue in the sair only, (NOT directly on the face, only in the hair) and it will clear it up in about a week! I had it with a 3 of my children, it really works!

My daughter had very similar skin issues and has benefited from prescription Elecon cream. If I apply it at the first sign of an eczema outbreak it will clear up quickly.

Also make sure you are using very gentle, fragrance free soaps and lotions.

Good luck!

Hi E.,
I have had success using 1%hydrocortizone cream on my 3 month old's cheeks and eyebrows. Hope this helps!

Hi E.,
Have you read the article in the Washington Post about baby toiletries? The article talks about over 50% of baby toiletries we use contain carcinogens. Your baby may be having a reaction to something like that. I would be very careful with the selsum blue since it is formulated for adults.Any thing that is put on the skin is absorbed in 30 seconds.So if you don't want in a baby don't put it on a baby.
Here is the link to the article in the Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009...
In the article is another link that lists specific products,
like baby washes, lotions and baby wipes by brand name.
My grandbabies have been using an organic brand that is vegan certified and cradle cap is elimiated. Products are easy to get, very reasonable and most importantly they work.
You may email me if you'd like more information and the list of brand name products from the article.

E.,
It really breaks my heart to hear that your doctor is telling you to use Selsum Blue on your daughter's face. Like another writer said, Linda C., your daughter like many other children posted on this link have stomach ailments that need to to be treated or will pose as more severe problems later on. My oldest son, now 12, had the same condition you are talking about and I was told he had acid reflux and eczema. Got the cream, medicine and sent on my way. At the age of 10, he was diagnosed (by me thru much research b/c no dr. would listen to us) with Celiac Disease and a milk allergy - severe! It began with eczema as a baby and gradually he could not tolerate milk. Then he began to be lethargic, constipated to the point he was in the emergency room three times b/c it was so bad. The doctors did not see any problems with him b/c he was gaining weight and "looked" healthy. He was not. He developed asthma. Now after he has been off of wheat, rye, barley (due to being diagnosed w/ celiac) and milk, he no longer has any eczema, reflux, fatigue, constipation or asthma. Please try to settle the issues NOW! You may try switching to soy milk. No dairy or casein. But you have to be consistent. If you are not, it doesn't do any good. I found that out! The earlier you do this, the stronger your child will be and the stronger their immune system will be. Please contact me if you have any questions. A.

Hi E.! I see you have a solution, but I just wanted to add my 2 cents:0) I also have a 4 month old who has bad cradle cap which was causing horrible skin problems on his face. The doctor said that the cradle cap can cause eczema on the face to be worse (he only has a couple other spots on the rest of his body). I used hydrocortizone and Aquaphor (made by Eucerin company) on his face and it significantly improved in a matter of 24-48 hours. You may want to try the hydrocortizone in conjunction with cutting out the dairy, because the skin problems can be very itchy to the little babies. It may give your daughter some relief while you're adjusting your diet.

Hi E.,

Sorry to hear about your baby. The same thing happened to my son. When he was around that age. I used creamy desitin on him all over like lotion and I swear that it cleared up and hasn't come back and he's two. It sounds strange but it definitely worked for my son. Hope it works for your little one too.

Hi E.,
My son had baby acne and the dry patches on his chest, legs and back. My pediatrician, who has since retired, suggested A&D ointment and it really helped clear it up. I know I am late in responding, but maybe it will help you also.