Cradle Cap in Babies: Natural Treatment and Home Remedies for Dermatitis

If your baby's scalp is dry and flaky, resembling dandruff, or is oily, thick and has yellow-brown scales or crusts, it is cradle cap. Medically, cradle cap is called infantile seborrheic dermatitis, and is extremely common. Below are a host of cradle cap remedies and treatment guidelines for getting rid of cradle cap.

Cradle Cap is a Common Pediatric Condition

What is Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap results in scaly crusts on the baby's scalp. Although not serious, it can cause thick crusting and formation of yellow scales. By and large, the condition resolves on its own in a few months. However, in case it persists or becomes severe, you must consult your pediatrician.

Cradle Cap in Babies

Clinical manifestations of cradle cap are: 

• Dryness of the scalp
• Scaling or crusting of the scalp; occasionally, scales may be present on the eyelids, ears, nose or groin.
• Greasy skin covered with scales (yellow-brown)
• Dandruff
• Mild redness

What Causes Cradle Cap?: Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis

The condition is extremely common in newborns. It isn't contagious and usually does not bother the baby. The cause of cradle cap is not precisely known; however, there are certain contributing factors:

• Hormones passed from the mother to the baby before birth is a contributing factor. The maternal hormones trigger an abnormal production of sebum in the glands, thereby, resulting in crusting.  
• Yeast called malassezia that multiplies in the sebum along with bacteria may also case crusting and scaling.

Cradle Cap Treatment: How to Treat Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap, more often than not, does not need any treatment. It resolves on its own in a few weeks time. You must wash the scalp once daily, using a mild baby shampoo; and brush the scalp very gently with a soft-bristle brush to get rid of the crusts.
In severe and persistent cases, a prescription anti fungal shampoo may be required; rarely, cradle cap may resemble infantile eczema or ringworm, you need to speak to your pediatrician for that.

Avocado Oil Helps Manage Cradle Cap

Natural treatment for Cradle Cap: Natural Remedies

1. Rub olive oil or almond oil or avocado oil in to the baby's scalp, very gently. Let it soak into the crusts for some time, then brush the scalp gently, and shampoo the hair as usual.
2. Do not leave the oil in the baby's scalp and hair, the crusts will build up, the pores will get clogged, the flakes will stick to the scalp and thus greatly aggravate the condition.

While application of lotions can help relieve the dryness and dermatitis, it may also be associated with sudden hair loss in your baby. Eventually however, your baby will gain all her hair within a few months.

Leg Cramping during Pregnancy: Treating Leg Spasms Naturally

Resting your feet and sinking in to the mattress should be a welcome relief from the strenuous day, however, leg pain due to spasms in the calf muscles during pregnancy can be a major source of discomfort. Leg Cramps can be treated promptly with simple home remedies and exercises. Here is a bit of information about treating leg spasms during pregnancy naturally.


Leg Cramps at Night are Fairly
 Common during Pregnancy



Leg Cramps in Pregnancy: Leg Spasms during Pregnancy

Leg cramps manifest as painful spasms through the calves that are felt particularly at night. Leg spasms may radiate up and down the calves during the day, but they are more evident at night when fluid accumulation and exhaustion are at their peak Calf cramps during pregnancy become more obvious during the 2^nd and 3 rd trimesters and learning to deal with them is important.

Night leg cramps are painful, sudden, involuntary contractions of muscles of the leg. By and large, the calf muscles are involved, but, muscles in the thighs and feet may cramp as well.

What Causes Leg Cramps During Pregnancy? Leg Cramps at Night Causes

Common etiological factors for leg cramps during pregnancy include:

• Excessive and sudden weight gain
• Inadequate intake of water
• Compression of blood vessels in the legs due to the blooming uterus
• Pressure on the nerves going from the trunk to the legs
• A deficiency of calcium and / or magnesium
• Pregnancy hormones

Leg Cramps While Sleeping: Leg Spasms at Night

In case you get a cramp while sleeping, stretch your calf muscles immediately. Straighten the leg, heel first, and gently move the toes towards the shin. At first it will hurt, but gradually, the spasm will go away. Massaging the muscle or warming with a hot water bottle helps as well. Restless leg syndrome has been covered separately in another topic.

How to Treat Leg Cramps During Pregnancy?: Natural Treatment for Leg Pain

Here are some simple tips that will help you manage leg cramps effectively,

• To relieve leg cramps and relieve leg pain during pregnancy, straighten your leg and gently flex the ankle and toes to and fro.




Stay well Hydrated


• Before retiring for the night, stand 2 feet away from a wall and place your palms flat against it. Lean forwards, and hold the stretch for 15 seconds, and then relax. This exercise technique helps allay spasms successfully.
• Sit comfortably on the floor, with your feet stretched out in front of you. Now, gently, push the toes away from the body and hold for 10 seconds. Release. Then, brig the toes close to the body and hold for 10s seconds. Release. Repeat this about 5 times; and perform this exercise twice daily.
• Ensure that your water intake is good; you must drink 12 glasses daily.
• Incorporate foods that are good sources of calcium (milk and its products and fish) and magnesium (fresh fruits and vegetables and nuts). Supplements are advocated as well; however, it is vital that you confer with your gynecologist before embarking up on any supplementation.
• Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged intervals of time.
• Don’t exert yourself; take sufficient rest. Lie down on your left side to augment blood circulation in the legs.

Remedies for Leg Cramps during Pregnancy: Home Remedies for Leg Spasms during Pregnancy

Here are some simple home remedies and natural treatment options for the effective management of leg pain during pregnancy,  

• Before bed time, soak your feet and legs up to the calves in warm water for about 15 minutes. Follow this up with a foot rub. This is decidedly soothing and will keep leg cramps at bay. What’s more, soaking your feet in warm water also induces peaceful sleep.
• Massaging the feet, ankles and calves with warm sesame oil or essential oils is vastly beneficial. Use firm pressure up the legs and gentle strokes down the legs. Around the ankles, make gentle circles; they feel good and relaxing.
• Stretch the calf muscles frequently through the day. Revolve the ankles and wriggle your toes when you sit. Take a short walk daily, unless your gynecologist has informed you not to.