We love caressing this divine skin that our babies have . So soft, so smooth, just perfect. A newborn baby will continue (for several months) to have to adapt to this new environment, outside of this peaceful life that was his in his mother's womb. Because the skin must also adapt, it may go through some adjustment phases and be subject to cradle cap , a phenomenon without any seriousness which nevertheless remains slightly unsightly. Here are our tips for preventing and remedying them.
1- What are cradle cap?
What we call cradle cap are the skin manifestation of seborrheic dermatitis (or dermatitis) in infants. They get their name from their resemblance to milk films that have been left to dry. A common pathology in babies, it is completely benign and reveals white or yellowish crusty patches linked to an accumulation of dead skin on the scalp, sometimes on the forehead, eyebrows or temples. Adherent, however, they do not cause any itching or discomfort for the infant. As common in boys as in girls*, they often appear before the age of 6 months and are eliminated with appropriate care.
2- How are they formed?
If the name suggests a link with milk, this is not the case. These crusts are not due to the ingestion of milk by the infant, but to excess sebum, produced by the sebaceous glands located at the roots of the hair. This dysregulation of sebum causes the development in large quantities of a yeast-type fungus called malassezia, present naturally in oily areas of the skin. This excess of fungus will cause an inflammatory reaction and accelerated renewal of scalp and skin cells, which explains the significant desquamation causing these scabs .
You should also know that babies tend to sweat at the head level, a phenomenon which can be explained because the surface area of a baby 's skull is very large in relation to the rest of their body.
3- How to fix it?
When the first cradle cap appears, do not dry scratch the plaques with your nails, a comb or a stiff brush, the scalp could risk bleeding without the problem being eradicated. The scabs must be softened before any intervention!
To do it gently, nothing better than vaseline ointment. Applying the ointment to the entire scalp, or affected areas, about 2 hours before bathing will help the scabs to come off. Once in the bath, wash your baby 's hair with The washing gel for my baby which is gentle, hypoallergenic and specifically designed for babies ' skin, then gently pass a glove over the scalp to remove the vaseline and rinse thoroughly with some water.
Once out of the bath, brush your baby 's scalp with a soft, flexible brush to gently remove the scabs. If you are breastfeeding, know that breast milk, among its many properties, also has moisturizing properties and will soften the crusts. Collect a little of your milk then massage your baby's scabs . All you have to do is gently run a brush through the hair to remove it.
4- Prevention tips
Prevention of this mild symptom is in daily cleaning and brushing of the scalp. Opt for gentle products specially formulated for the delicate skin of little ones, such as Baby Wash . This hypoallergenic and fragrance-free cleansing gel gently cleanses while preserving the skin's natural balance. By ensuring regular hygiene and gently massaging the scalp with this cleansing gel, you can reduce the risk of cradle cap.
It is recommended to rinse thoroughly and apply a suitable moisturizer to maintain the suppleness and hydration of your baby's skin. We recommend the moisturizer for my hypoallergenic baby, it contains organic sweet almond oil , known for its soothing, softening and protective properties. It nourishes the skin and forms a natural barrier to protect it from drying out. It also has a fluid and milky texture , which penetrates quickly.
Need more tips for caring for your baby? Read our article which deciphers the “ 3 causes of diaper rash ” then the one on the “ 10 good actions to adopt ” to avoid it!
Sources :
Baby's cradle cap: symptoms and causes | ameli.fr | Insured
https://www.allodocteurs.fr/archives-d-ou-viennent-les-croutes-de-lait-2093.html
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