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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffThe following over-the-counter treatments and self-care tips can help you control and manage cradle cap.
- Gently rub your baby's scalp with your fingers or rough washcloth to loosen the scales.
- Wash your baby's hair once a day with mild baby shampoo. Loosen the scales with a small, soft-bristled brush before rinsing off the shampoo.
- If the scales don't loosen easily, rub petrolatum jelly or a few drops of mineral oil onto your baby's scalp. Let it soak into the scales for a few minutes, and then brush and shampoo your baby's hair as usual. If you leave the oil in your baby's hair, the scales may accumulate and worsen the cradle cap.
- Once the scales are gone, wash your baby's hair every few days with a mild shampoo to prevent scale buildup.
