(HealthDay News) -- Like adults, babies also develop dry, flaky scalps. The condition is known as "cradle cap" in infants.
Here are suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine on how to help clear up cradle cap:
- Use a brush with very soft bristles or your fingers to gently rub your baby's scalp each day. This will boost circulation and help scaly patches of skin fall off.
- Make sure you wash the scalp thoroughly to remove all soap.
- Wash baby's head each day with a gentle soap until cradle cap subsides. Then shampoo about twice weekly.
- Before shampooing, rub a bit of mineral oil into baby's scalp and cover it with a moist, warm washcloth to encourage scaly patches to fall off. Leave it on for up to an hour, making sure the cloth stays warm.
- If cradle cap doesn't improve or baby continues to react to scalp itchiness, see your pediatrician about a topical lotion or cream.
