|
Apart from the loss of hair, the condition you describe seems to be what is known as "cradle cap", a form of seborrheic dermatitis. However, with any problem in a child so young, you should always consult a doctor instead of trying to treat it yourself. Home remedies are not always safe for babies, and more importantly, if you diagnose the problem incorrectly and apply the wrong treatment, the real problem will continue to worsen, becoming more difficult to treat. Cradle cap can be treated quite easily, and most home remedies are safe and effective, but since there is hair loss as well, the problem may be something entirely different, such as a fungal infection. Cradle cap is unlikely to cause hair loss unless it is very severe. You should therefore visit your doctor at the earliest.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a mild form of eczema, which causes flaking and scaling of skin, particularly in areas such as the face and scalp, which produce a lot of sebum. In babies, this is known as cradle cap, and tends to tends to be quite common, although the severity and duration of the problem can vary. The causes of the condition are not very clear, but it is thought that cradle cap is the result of excessive production of sebum. Due to the excess of sebum, dead skin cells stick to the scalp instead of falling off normally. Then, as the sebum dries, the dead skin cells begin to fall off in clumps, flaking or peeling. There is also a chance that fungi play some role in cradle cap, although there is no hard evidence for this yet. In some cases the condition causes irritation, but usually, the baby does not experience any trouble whatsoever.
It is important to treat cradle cap and not just wait for it to disappear on its own, as it sometimes persists well into later childhood, and in rare cases, into adulthood. It is thought that more severe forms of dermatitis and eczema sometimes begin as cradle cap.
Traditionally, most people advised oiling the baby's scalp overnight in order to get rid of cradle cap. This seems to work in some cases, but in others it may worsen the condition, as the problem is already being caused by an excess of oil. Instead, applying petroleum jelly overnight is a safe and often effective treatment. Still, as already mentioned you should consult your doctor rather than try to treat the problem yourself.
|
