Cradle cap in adults shampoo

Cradle Cap in Adults: Treatment, Causes, Product Recommendations

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What is cradle cap?

Cradle cap is a skin condition that causes redness, white or yellow scaly patches, and dandruff on the scalp. It sometimes also affects the face, upper chest, and back. While not serious, cradle cap in adults is a long-term skin condition that requires constant treatment.

Cradle crap gets its name because it’s a lot more common in infants than adults, especially during the first few weeks of life. In adults, cradle cap is more commonly referred to as seborrheic dermatitis.

Cradle cap usually develops in oilier areas of your skin. It most often affects the scalp, but it can also occur on the eyebrows, nose, back, chest, and ears.

The symptoms of cradle cap in adults can be similar to other skin conditions, such as:

psoriasis
atopic dermatitis
rosacea

Symptoms may differ from person to person. Most often they include:

white or yellow scaly patches on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, or beard that flake off, commonly called dandruff
greasy and oily skin
affected areas becoming red and itchy
hair loss in affected areas

The symptoms may be exacerbated by stress, cold and dry climates, and heavy alcohol use.

The exact cause of cradle cap in adults isn’t known. It’s believed to be related to the overproduction of oil in the skin and hair follicles. It isn’t caused by poor hygiene and it tends to be more common in males.

A fungus called Malassezia may also play a role. Malassezia is a yeast naturally found in your skin’s oil, but it can sometimes grow abnormally and lead to an inflammatory response. The inflammation impairs the function of the outermost layer of the skin and causes scaling.

Other possible risk factors for cradle cap in adults include:

obesity
stress
environmental factors, such as pollution
other skin issues, such as acne
use of alcohol-based skin care products
certain medical conditions, including HIV, stroke, epilepsy, or Parkinson’s disease

Treatment for cradle cap in adults depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases can typically be managed with special soaps and shampoos and by avoiding things that trigger a flare-up. More severe cases might require prescription medications.

Dandruff shampoos

For mild cases, your doctor will likely suggest trying home remedies before considering medical intervention.

Most often, this will include over-the-counter (OTC) dandruff shampoos containing selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, or coal tar to reduce flaking and ease itching.

Examples include:

Selsun Blue
DHS Zinc
Head & Shoulders
Neutrogena T/Gel
Neutrogena T/Sal
Polytar
Medicasp Coal Tar
Denorex

At first, the dandruff shampoo should be used every day. Make sure to follow all instructions on the bottle. Rub the shampoo into your hair thoroughly and let it sit for five minutes before rinsing completely.

Once your symptoms are controlled, you might be able to reduce the number of times you use the shampoo to two or three times per week. Alternating between the different types of dandruff shampoos every few weeks may be even more effective.

Antifungal shampoos

Antifungal shampoos are often recommended as home treatment if your cradle cap is caused by Malassezia fungus. The most well-known brand of antifungal shampoo is Nizoral, which you can purchase online.

These shampoos contain an antifungal treatment known as ketoconazole.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil available at health food stores and online. Tea tree oil is well known for its antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects.

For cradle cap, try adding 10 or so drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo.

Shaving

Men may also find relief by shaving off their mustache or beard.

Prescription medications

If OTC shampoos and medications aren’t working, see your doctor to discuss prescription medications and shampoos.

Prescription antifungal shampoos contain a higher percentage of antifungal medications than OTC brands. Ketozal (ketoconazole) or Loprox (ciclopirox) are two options to discuss with your doctor.

Topical corticosteroids can also help reduce inflammation on the skin. They’re typically available as a shampoo or foam, but require a prescription.

Examples include:

betamethasone valerate 0.12 percent foam (Luxiq)
clobetasol 0.05 percent shampoo (Clobex)
fluocinolone 0.01 percent shampoo (Capex)
fluocinolone 0.01 percent solution (Synalar)

If corticosteroids have already been used for a prolonged period of time, your doctor may prescribe a nonsteroidal medication such as pimecrolimus (Elidel) or tacrolimus (Protopic). However, these medications cost much more than corticosteroids.

Avoiding triggers

Over time, you’ll probably learn what situations and actions trigger a flare-up. Your triggers likely won’t be the same as someone else’s, but the most commonly reported triggers include:

cold and dry climates
changing seasons
periods of increased stress
too much sun exposure
illness
hormonal changes
harsh detergents or soaps

Try your best not to scratch the affected areas. Scratching increases your risk for bleeding or infection and will increase irritation, leading to a vicious cycle.

Cradle cap is considered a long-term condition and will require lifetime treatment. But if you develop a good skin care routine and learn to recognize what triggers a flare-up, cradle cap is relatively easy to manage. Cradle cap isn’t contagious, so you don’t have to worry about spreading it to others.

Symptoms of cradle cap can come and go. You may even experience complete remission at some point. Remission isn’t a cure, however. During this time, you should continue to use your dandruff shampoo and antifungal treatments a couple times a week.

Cradle Cap in Adults: Treatment, Causes, Product Recommendations

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

What is cradle cap?

Cradle cap usually develops in oilier areas of your skin. It most often affects the scalp, but it can also occur on the eyebrows, nose, back, chest, and ears.

The symptoms of cradle cap in adults can be similar to other skin conditions, such as:

psoriasis
atopic dermatitis
rosacea

Symptoms may differ from person to person. Most often they include:

white or yellow scaly patches on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, or beard that flake off, commonly called dandruff
greasy and oily skin
affected areas becoming red and itchy
hair loss in affected areas

The symptoms may be exacerbated by stress, cold and dry climates, and heavy alcohol use.

Other possible risk factors for cradle cap in adults include:

obesity
stress
environmental factors, such as pollution
other skin issues, such as acne
use of alcohol-based skin care products
certain medical conditions, including HIV, stroke, epilepsy, or Parkinson’s disease

Dandruff shampoos

For mild cases, your doctor will likely suggest trying home remedies before considering medical intervention.

Most often, this will include over-the-counter (OTC) dandruff shampoos containing selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, or coal tar to reduce flaking and ease itching.

Examples include:

Selsun Blue
DHS Zinc
Head & Shoulders
Neutrogena T/Gel
Neutrogena T/Sal
Polytar
Medicasp Coal Tar
Denorex

Antifungal shampoos

These shampoos contain an antifungal treatment known as ketoconazole.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil available at health food stores and online. Tea tree oil is well known for its antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects.

For cradle cap, try adding 10 or so drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo.

Shaving

Men may also find relief by shaving off their mustache or beard.

Prescription medications

If OTC shampoos and medications aren’t working, see your doctor to discuss prescription medications and shampoos.

Prescription antifungal shampoos contain a higher percentage of antifungal medications than OTC brands. Ketozal (ketoconazole) or Loprox (ciclopirox) are two options to discuss with your doctor.

Topical corticosteroids can also help reduce inflammation on the skin. They’re typically available as a shampoo or foam, but require a prescription.

Examples include:

betamethasone valerate 0.12 percent foam (Luxiq)
clobetasol 0.05 percent shampoo (Clobex)
fluocinolone 0.01 percent shampoo (Capex)
fluocinolone 0.01 percent solution (Synalar)

Avoiding triggers

Over time, you’ll probably learn what situations and actions trigger a flare-up. Your triggers likely won’t be the same as someone else’s, but the most commonly reported triggers include:

cold and dry climates
changing seasons
periods of increased stress
too much sun exposure
illness
hormonal changes
harsh detergents or soaps

Try your best not to scratch the affected areas. Scratching increases your risk for bleeding or infection and will increase irritation, leading to a vicious cycle.

How to Use Coconut Oil to Cleanse Your Baby's Cradle

Once you get used to your daily life with your adorable newborn, you may notice a few crusty, yellow or white, scale-like spots on his head. These spots can be under the hair, behind the ears, on the forehead, in skin folds, or even on the eyebrows.

But if you see this, don't panic. Your child didn't get it because you didn't bathe him enough, or because of something else that you think you did wrong.

Probably just a case of a cradle. While it's harmless, it's annoying. Here's how coconut oil can help.

Will the cradle harm my baby?

Cradle clam is almost always harmless. It is not contagious and will not harm your baby. It doesn't even itch, so if you don't want to do anything about it, you don't have to.

However, many parents do not like the look of yellow scales on their child, so they get rid of them. One of the popular remedies they try is coconut oil.

What is a cap?

Cradle cap is officially called seborrheic eczema or seborrheic dermatitis. This is the same thing that causes dandruff in adults.

It is difficult to prevent cradle cap because pediatricians are not entirely sure where it starts.

One theory is that it has something to do with hormones that are passed from you to your baby before the baby is born. These hormones can cause excessive sebum production in your baby's sebaceous glands and hair follicles.

Alternatively, it could be related to the type of yeast that grows in your child's hair.

But the good news is that, unlike the adult version, this condition doesn't last forever in babies. It is most common in newborns and children under 3 months of age, but usually resolves on its own between 6 months and 1 year of age.

Does coconut oil really help with the cradle?

Many parents swear that coconut oil is a natural remedy for cradle caps, although scientifically the evidence is a bit anecdotal.

However, it is true that coconut oil helps moisturize dry and flaky skin, which can ease cradle flaking and nourish your baby's scalp.

This is why coconut oil is often used to reduce the symptoms of eczema. That is why it is often used in skin moisturizers, soaps and shampoos. Coconut oil also has natural antibacterial properties that can also help treat minor skin infections.

Is coconut oil safe for baby skin?

Unless your child is allergic to coconuts, coconut oil is safe.

Also, do not use coconut oil on your child if there is an allergy to coconut oil in the family.

If you use it, get virgin coconut oil. It is natural because it comes straight from fresh coconuts and is less processed than other oils. This means that there are usually no added chemicals or fragrances that can irritate your newborn's sensitive skin.

So how do I use coconut oil on my baby's cradle?

Here are a few simple steps:

Give your child a regular bath with warm water.
Take them out of the bath and wrap them in a towel to keep them warm.
Warm up a small amount of coconut oil in a bowl and then test it on the inside of your wrist to make sure it's not too hot.
Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to baby's scalp and gently massage the oil for a minute or so. (Just be careful of their weak point).
Let the oil soak in for 10-15 minutes.
Then return the child to the bath and wash the oil from his hair with a mild baby shampoo.

Are there any precautions I should take when using coconut oil?

When using coconut oil on your child, make sure you do the following to be as safe as possible:

Make sure you buy the best and purest virgin coconut oil you can find. Double check the ingredients to make sure they are clean. You don't want chemicals or dyes added to your newborn's skin.

Wash your hands before touching your child's hat. If you accidentally damage their scalp, you can let germs get in.

If you notice any skin reaction after using the oil, stop immediately. Your child may have a coconut allergy, symptoms of which include hives or a rash. Your baby may also wheeze, vomit, have diarrhea, or have an anaphylactic reaction (although this is very rare). If your child develops severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Do not use too much. Using too much oil can make it difficult to remove the oil from his hair, and you don't need to rub your child's head too hard to get all the oil off. Using a small amount will also allow you to check if it is causing irritation or an allergic reaction.

Are there other home treatments I can try?

There are several other things you can do for the cradle, including:

Wash your child's hair often with a mild baby shampoo. Poor hygiene does not cause cradle cap, but washing your hair can help get rid of it faster as it will help remove some of the scales and prevent excess buildup. However, washing your baby's hair too often can dry out his skin and worsen the condition of the cradle, so check with your pediatrician about how often to bathe him.
Brush through hair with a soft brush after bath. It can also help prevent buildup by gently removing some scales. Just make sure to brush slowly in one direction and stop if their scalp becomes red or irritated.
Use olive oil on the scalp. This works in a similar way to coconut oil, providing a moisture barrier to your baby's scalp.
Try a special baby shampoo designed to fight cradle cap. Check the ingredients with your pediatrician before using them to make sure they are not too harsh on your newborn's sensitive skin. For example, strong adult dandruff shampoos can be toxic when absorbed through a child's skin.
Find out if your pediatrician recommends further treatment. In more severe cases of cradle cap, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream, hydrocortisone, or zinc cream. However, never use them without a prescription.

Do not use hydrogen peroxide, undiluted apple cider vinegar, or essential oils unless directed by a physician. They can irritate and worsen the condition of the cradle.

Finally, never scratch or pick at the rash on the cradle. This can cause irritation or worse, infection.

Conclusion

The cradle cap is not very pretty, but it is almost always harmless and will disappear with time. So if you've tried many home remedies, including coconut oil, and nothing works, don't despair.

However, if you are particularly concerned, talk to your pediatrician. In some rare cases, cradle cap can lead to a fungal infection, but if it does, your child will be prescribed a cream to help.

What is the difference between baby shampoo and adult shampoo

When bathing a child in the first months and years of life, parents prefer special children's cosmetics: shampoos marked "0+". But why? How do these shampoos differ from adults, except that they do not irritate the baby's eyes? Now we'll tell you.

Features of children's hair and scalp: how they differ from adults

Children's hair is much thinner and more delicate, and the scalp still does not produce enough oil (up to about 7 years).

Children's hair follicles are located closer to the epidermis, and the cuticles have fewer layers. Therefore, the child's hair is more easily damaged under the influence of external factors, it is quite brittle and falls out easily.

"Adult" hair, with which a person will live until old age, grows only at puberty (12-14) years. Their structure and color may differ from the previous ones.

Adult shampoos can dry out baby's skin and upset its pH balance. His delicate skin and fragile immune system can also respond to an adult multi-component shampoo with an allergic reaction and irritation. Therefore, all children are advised to wash their hair with special baby shampoos.

What is in baby shampoo?

As mentioned above, children's skin is prone to drying out. Therefore, children's shampoos must have a certain level of acid-base balance (pH): 4-6. Such an environment is considered slightly acidic and safe for sensitive skin and fine hair.

Shampoos for children are made on a mild soap base with the addition of plant extracts (wheat, calendula, lavender, chamomile). Some of these herbs prevent inflammation and are natural antiseptics (chamomile, calendula), some help the baby relax and get ready for bed (lavender).

Another beneficial ingredient that is sometimes included in baby shampoo can be Panthenol, which helps to strengthen the hair and scalp.

What ingredients should not be in baby shampoo?

It is preferable to choose shampoos with a minimum content of surfactants (sulfates), as well as preservatives (parabens). However, a small number of them have the right to be. Many children's shampoos use surfactants that are different from adult cosmetic surfactants, namely amphoteric surfactants.

What exactly should not be in a cosmetic product for a child:

chemical dyes;
artificial flavors;
other synthetic ingredients that are added to adult detergents (triclosan, propylene glycol, diethanolamine, phthalates).