Everything You Need to Know About Using a Cradle Cap Brush for Adults?

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Most people think of cradle cap as something that affects infants (baby cradle cap), but in reality, adults can get cradle cap too. Though it can be uncomfortable, cradle cap isn’t too serious and is usually treatable at home with over-the-counter remedies.

Here, we’ll cover what a cradle cap is and how to use a cradle cap brush to combat flakes and scaly patches.

What is Cradle Cap?

Simply put, cradle cap is a skin condition that causes redness, white or yellow flakes, scaly patches on the skin, and dandruff on the scalp. When it appears in adults it is commonly known as seborrheic dermatitis. Most doctors will use this term when they diagnose it instead of cradle cap.

Though it usually occurs on the scalp, you may also notice these symptoms on your eyebrows, nose, back, chest, and ears. Though it can be uncomfortable and possibly embarrassing, treating cradle cap at home isn’t difficult.

Symptoms of Cradle Cap

Seborrheic dermatitis is often confused with other common skin conditions such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea. This is why we have listed down some of the most common and prominent symptoms of cradle cap to help you identify it.

Redness
Irritation
Itchy skin
Flaky skin
Thick scaly patches
Yellow or white greasy scale on the scalp.
Oily skin.

The redness associated with seborrheic dermatitis usually appears on areas that are rich in sebaceous glands like the face, around the nose, behind the ears, chest, and in skin folds.

Cradle Cap Causes

There is no exact cause for seborrheic dermatitis in adults. Researchers believe it is caused by various factors that work together to give you those pesky flakes and scales. Some of the most common reasons are:

Overactive sebaceous glands
Excess sebum on the skin
Overabundance of Malassezia yeast.

When due to reasons such as hormonal changes, dry skin, or genetics the sebaceous glands in our skin start producing excess sebum, it becomes easier for Malassezia yeast to thrive on the skin.

When this yeast and sebum come together they can lead to the iconic irritation, itching, and flaking associated with seborrheic dermatitis.

Is It Ok to Brush Out Cradle Cap?

If you’re experiencing cradle cap, you may be wondering, “Is it OK to brush out cradle cap?” The answer is yes, it’s ok to brush cradle cap, as long as you go about it gently. Depending on how intense your cradle cap is, you may want to use a brush to help alleviate your symptoms.

How to Use Cradle Cap Brush in Adults?

Using a cradle cap brush is easy.

While you’re in the shower, shampoo your hair.
Then, while your hair is still wet, you can use the cradle cap brush to gently massage the scalp and comb any loose flakes or dry skin away.

Whether or not you want to use a brush is up to you. One pro of doing so is you can more easily remove the excess flakes that taunt you to pick at them. Always avoid picking at the larger flakes which don’t easily come out when brushing – leave them to heal as they are supposed to.

Using a brush may not help you in dealing with the root cause of cradle cap but it still helps you loosen those embarrassing flakes that stymie your confidence. At the end of the day, using a brush for cradle cap is a pretty easy and inexpensive way to help calm some of your symptoms.

Which Brush is Best for Cradle Cap?

Finding the best brush for cradle cap is simple. Choosing a soft-bristled brush designed for babies can usually do the trick. The brush designed for babies is equally safe to be used on your sensitive, irritated skin.

Even though you can use any comb or brush to remove the scales it is best to use a special cradle cap brush as it has close bristles and is made with skin-friendly material that helps remove those loose flakes without irritating your skin or causing hair loss.

How to Get Rid of Cradle Cap?

If you want to get rid of the redness, itching, and irritation stemming from cradle cap then you can do the following.

Cradle Cap Shampoo

You can soothe the symptoms by cleaning your skin and scalp with a medicated shampoo for cradle cap. Use it daily when the scaling is intense and then taper the use to 2 to 3 times a week when the condition starts getting better.

Leave it on your scalp for a few minutes before rinsing–this will help the shampoo penetrate into the skin, and with time improving the itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Use a seborrheic dermatitis shampoo that contains pyrithione zinc as an active ingredient.

Zinc pyrithione is known as very effective in reducing the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis that we refer to as cradle cap and prevent recurrence of the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.

Home Remedies

You can also apply coconut oil or other natural moisturizers to your scalp to hydrate the skin and hair, which can help alleviate symptoms as well. Just be careful to use appropriate kinds and amounts – some natural remedies are not all they’re cracked up to be.

If you leave oil on your scalp, especially after shampooing it can make your condition worse as Malassezia yeast thrives on oils. So just to be safe it’s better to use a medicated shampoo instead of using oils.

Consult Your Doctor

If over-the-counter cradle cap shampoo isn’t working for you, check with your healthcare provider. There are chances you may be experiencing some other similar condition. Or your doctor may prescribe another OTC shampoo with some other active ingredient.

Treating Cradle Cap With Happy Cappy

If you’re looking for a skin-friendly solution for your cradle cap then try Happy Cappy Products. Our Cradle Cap Bath Bundle contains a Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and Body Wash and a Cradle Cap Beanie Brush to help you get your flake-free* and itch-free* scalp. (*associated with seborrheic dermatitis)

Conclusion

Cradle cap commonly known as seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition in adults that causes flaking, itching, and irritation. Adults can use a cradle cap brush to remove the loose scales and flakes on the scalp.

Use a brush that is specially formulated for babies as it is soft-bristled and can help accomplish the loosening of flakes with less chance of irritating your scalp. Use the cradle cap brush while shampooing your scalp rather than dry brushing to easily remove the flakes.

In conjunction with with cradle cap brush, use an anti-seborrheic dermatitis shampoo at least 2 to 3 times a week to wash your skin and scalp and to eliminate the symptoms of flaking, scaling, and irritation associated with seborrheic dermatitis.

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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What kind of brush to use for cradle cap?

Always choose a soft-bristled silicone brush or a fine-toothed comb specially formulated to remove cradle cap flakes.

Is it ok to peel off cradle cap?

Never pick or peel off cradle cap as it will only worsen the condition. It can also lead to other complications such as infection. So it is best to leave it alone or use a cradle cap brush to only remove the loose scales.

Should I use coconut oil on cradle cap?

Even though coconut oil can help soothe the scalp and provide nourishment, remember that Malassezia yeast thrives on oil. So if you leave oil on your scalp for a long time or leave any residue behind it may only make the condition worse.

How to use a silicone brush for cradle cap?

Wet your hair and scalp
Apply an anti-seborrheic dermatitis shampoo on your scalp.
Massage it with your fingertips and leave it for a few minutes.
Use a brush for cradle cap to remove the loose, excess scales.
Rinse off your scalp thoroughly with water.

Can you use a toothbrush on cradle cap?

Using a toothbrush is fine to remove your flakes however, it is best if you use a specially formulated cradle cap brush. Because it will be easier to use and will do the work easier.