Coconut Oil for Cradle Cap: Good or Bad?

Baby seborrheic dermatitis, also known as cradle cap, is the phrase used to describe the scale-like patches that may emerge on a baby’s scalp during the early weeks of its development. 

But the question here is, is coconut oil for cradle cap good or bad? Read this blog to discover the truth from a pediatrician. 

What Causes Cradle Cap?

Before jumping on to whether coconut oil will work for cradle cap or not it is essential that you understand what causes it. There is no exact known cause of cradle cap, but various factors are believed to work together to cause this honeycomb-looking skin condition. 

Hormonal changes in the baby’s body during the first few weeks after birth can trigger the sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum, the oily substance that keeps your skin moist and healthy. 

But when there is an overabundance of sebum on the scalp it can cause a naturally occurring yeast on the scalp to grow at a much faster rate. The overproduction of Malassezia yeast, when it reacts with sebum, can cause a reaction that leads to inflammation and the formation of those iconic yellow flakes. 

Thankfully, there’s no evidence that the seborrheic dermatitis is painful, or uncomfortable for your baby. It’s also not contagious. But this doesn’t mean you can’t take actionable steps to remove it.

Symptoms of Cradle Cap In Babies?

Cradle cap on babies is recognizable by seeing a characteristic appearance of the scalp. These signs often include: 

• The appearance of thick, yellow, or brownish crusts or scales on the scalp
• These scales can also occupy other areas like the forehead, eyebrows, and back of the ears. 
• The skin areas may seem red and slightly inflamed
• Mild itching might be felt in a few cases. 
• Cradle cap is usually not painful or uncomfortable for toddlers. 

Along with these symptoms, you may also notice redness in other parts of the body such as behind the ears, in the skin folds, and around the diaper area. The redness mostly appears in the areas where the sebaceous glands are more active. 

Can You Use Coconut Oil for Cradle Cap?

The answer to this question is a little complicated. Coconut oil is one natural substance with a reputation for moisturizing the skin, but it might only work for some. Let’s take a closer look at whether or not using coconut oil will benefit the cradle cap.

Coconut oil comes with some impressive benefits and healing properties. When it comes to the skin, coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and emollient properties that can repair the function of the skin’s barrier, adding another layer of protection against environmental pollutants and debris. 

But all jars of coconut oil are not the same, as explained by a New York-based board-certified dermatologist:

“Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of mature coconut fruit, which are found on specialized palm trees called cocos nucifera (coconut trees),” Suzanne Friedler, MD, shared with Eating Well magazine. “There are different mechanical and chemical processes that are used to manufacture coconut oil—for use in skincare, unrefined (virgin or extra-virgin) cold-pressed coconut oil is what’s recommended.”

Is Coconut Oil Good for Cradle Cap?

The purest coconut oil can help moisturize your baby’s scalp, but there are specific precautionary guidelines to consider before you can use coconut oil for a cradle cap:

• Test out a small amount on your baby’s head. This is the easiest way to understand how your baby’s skin reacts to coconut oil.
• If a bad reaction occurs, stop immediately. A wrong reaction could be a sign of a coconut allergy. If the reaction escalates, seek medical attention.

But is coconut oil good for cradle cap? The internet is full of blogs claiming coconut oil is one of the best natural remedies to get rid of cradle cap. However, according to Dr. Eddie, coconut oil can do more harm to your baby’s cradle cap than good. 

Wondering why he said that? Here is your answer, cradle cap is caused by the overproduction of Malassezia yeast on the scalp which is triggered by excess sebum. So when you put coconut oil on your baby’s scalp and leave it on for some time. It provides a breeding ground for the yeast to thrive, this causes the yeast to grow at a much faster rate and worsening cradle cap. 

It’s always better to stay away from something that is risky and try something that will be helpful in treating the condition and its root cause. 

Cradle Cap Treatment

If your baby is experiencing cradle cap and you are searching for ways to get rid of those sticky scales here is what you should be doing.

Cleansing the Scalp

The first and most important thing that you should do to help lose those scales is to use a cradle cap shampoo for babies. Cleanse your baby’s scalp at least 2 to 3 times a week for mild to severe scaling. 

And when the flaking gets better you can use it once a week to prevent any oil buildup or future flare-ups. Here is how you should use it.

• Wet your baby’s scalp and hair.
• Apply a small amount of medicated shampoo on their scalp.
• Use your fingertips to gently massage it on the scalp.
• Leave the shampoo for a minute or two before rinsing it off.
• Make sure that you wash the scalp thoroughly without leaving any residue behind.
• Pat dry their scalp with a soft towel.

Using a Cradle Cap Brush

To get rid of the loose flakes and to soften the stubborn scales you may want to consider a cradle cap brush while shampooing your baby’s scalp. These are specially formulated brushes and combs with soft-bristles that help remove the loose scales.

The best thing about using a cradle cap brush is that it will also promote circulation in the baby’s scalp, and help them relax and sleep well. 

Use Happy Cappy Instead of Coconut Oil for Cradle Cap

Coconut oil can help cradle cap, but finding a curated shampoo (created by a pediatrician!) that can relieve the condition’s symptoms and target its root cause can make for a happy baby and parent.

Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and Body Wash is a pediatrician-developed and clinically-tested shampoo suitable for use on babies sensitive skin. What’s unique in this cradle cap shampoo?

It is made with an FDA-approved active ingredient, pyrithione zinc. For decades, this ingredient has been named safe and effective for relieving flaking and scaling of the scalp associated with seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis is the technical name for cradle cap. 

This baby shampoo for cradle cap is free from skin-irritating chemicals such as fragrances, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates that could harm your baby’s skin. Instead, it contains 95% natural ingredients that help cleanse and nourish your baby’s scalp. 

Let us help you help your baby’s skin feel better. Grab our cradle cap shampoo and browse our other Happy Cappy products for relief, soothing, and prevention* today! (*Happy Cappy Medicated shampoo can reduce recurrence of flaking, scaling, and irritation associated with seborrheic dermatitis.)

Key Takeaways

• Cradle cap is a common skin condition in babies that causes thick, greasy, yellow flakes and scales to appear on the scalp.
• Some other common symptoms associated with seborrheic dermatitis or cradle cap are inflammation, redness, and mild itching.
• It is not contagious or harmful to the baby.
• Coconut oil can help moisturize and nourish your baby’s scalp and soften the scales.
• However, it can be harmful to the baby if they have a coconut oil allergy and can worsen the condition by triggering the overproduction of Malassezia yeast on the scalp. 
• Use a shampoo for cradle cap and a cradle cap brush to help your baby get rid of those scales, and soothe other symptoms associated with cradle cap and 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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