Lifestyle and home remedies

The following over-the-counter treatments and home care tips can help you control and manage cradle cap.

• Gently rub your baby's scalp with your fingers or a washcloth to loosen the scales. Don't scratch.
• Wash your baby's hair once a day with mild baby shampoo. Loosen the scales with a small, soft-bristled brush or fine-toothed comb before rinsing off the shampoo.
• If the scales don't loosen easily, rub petroleum jelly or a few drops of mineral oil onto your baby's scalp. Let it soak into the scales for a few minutes, or hours if needed. Then brush and shampoo your baby's hair as usual. If you leave the oil in your baby's hair, the cradle cap may get worse.
• Once the scales are gone, wash your baby's hair every two to three days with a mild shampoo to prevent scale buildup.