Homeopathic Remedies for Cradle Cap

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We’ve all been there: You notice that your precious newborn has scaly, crusty patches on her scalp. Well-meaning visitors offer a whole lot of advice on how to make that better. However, you know you can use homeopathic remedies to clear that up!

So Gross! What is Happening to My Baby?

Cradle cap usually happens in the initial two months of a child’s life and will generally clear up within a few months. It is a harmless, non-contagious, painless, and non-itchy condition. It is neither of allergic origin nor a bacterial infection, and it isn’t caused by poor hygiene. Cradle cap usually arises as a result of excessive production of oil/sebum production in the oil glands and hair follicles. Remember, your baby has had a lovely coat of vernix all of her life, and the skin has an additional job for the first time. Homeopathic remedies for cradle cap are very mild and do not have any side effects. They can be safely used for infants.

The cradle cap presents as large scales of white, yellow, or brownish crusts on a baby’s scalp. The cradle cap mainly consists of scales, dead skin cells, and sebum (skin oil). Redness may also be present. The hair may come out with scales that tend to grow back in a few cases. The scales may also appear on the face, eyelid, nose, ear, neck, armpits, and groins. The scaling may vary from mild to severe. In severe cases of cradle cap with cracks and bleeding, there are chances of getting a bacterial infection. So, you want to keep an eye on it.

Homeopathic Remedies for Cradle Cap

There are several ways to give a newborn homeopathic remedies. One is to crush the pellets between two spoons and put the dust in their mouth. My favorite way is to dissolve the pellets into water and drop the water into their mouth. It doesn’t have to be complicated. I recommend giving the chosen remedy 1-2 times daily until it improves.

Kali sulph – Yellow Scales on Scalp

Kali sulph is an effective homeopathic remedy for cradle cap, in which yellowish scales on the scalp are present. The scales are copious and moist or sticky in most cases. Remember Kali sulph is our yellow remedy. Discharges that are yellow point to it.

Graphites – Scales on Scalp, Eyelids and Behind Ear

Graphites is a homeopathic remedy for cradle cap when scales are abundant on the eyelids and behind the ear in addition to the scalp. A sticky fluid may come out, causing hair to stick together. The scales may clear on washing but form again. The scalp may be cold to the touch. Graphites also helps clear off dirty, crusty, scabby spots on the scalp in cases of cradle cap.

Natrum mur – For Greasy, Scaly Cradle Cap

Natrum mur works well in cases of cradle cap when the scalp is highly greasy, oily, and scaly. The scales are primarily white. Redness over the scalp may be noted. Nat mur is also helpful in cases where scabs form on the scalp, neck, and armpits.

Arsenicum album – Scales on the Scalp that Extend to Ears and Neck

Arsenicum is an effective homeopathic remedy for cradle cap with scales or scalp scabs extending to the ears and neck. The scales are dry, and the scalp is rough and looks dirty. All the hair that caused all that heartburn may come out of the scalp with scabs and scales.

Petroleum – Yellow-green Crust on Scalp

Petroleum is a natural homeopathic remedy for cradle caps with yellowish-green-colored crusts on the scalp. The scalp may be entirely covered with crusts. These crusts get entangled with hair and stick to it. They are difficult to detach and tend to bleed. The scalp is also raw and red.

Calcarea carb –Thick Scabs that Bleed

Calcarea carb is a homeopathic remedy for cases of cradle cap with thick scabs that bleed when picked. Thick scabs on the head may spread to the face. Scales of yellow-white color also appear on the scalp. This baby may have profuse sweating on the scalp and neck, and the perspiration may have a foul odor.

Calc carb is an excellent baby remedy, and I would probably start with it in most cases.

Free Advice, Anyone?

As all new parents can attest to, they have abundant free advice. EVERYONE has an opinion to share. Sometimes, that advice is good and worth its weight in gold! Sometimes, well, we get to practice keeping our thoughts to ourselves. If you are told to rub oil (olive, coconut, or castor oil) into the baby’s scalp and leave it overnight, then wash it out in the morning, that is good advice. It will soften the crusts and help them to lift off without hurting the baby. That is not good advice if you are told to pour vinegar on the baby’s scalp. Tell your crazy aunt, “Thank you for your advice.” Then, give your baby a homeopathic remedy.