Crusts on a baby's head, treatment by Komarovsky. Crusts on the head of newborns: causes and how to remove them

Often, while bathing, mothers notice dense crusts on the baby’s head. Surely relatives or friends will convince you that this is an absolutely harmless phenomenon, but they cannot really explain what it is.

At the same time, some advise combing them out with a comb, others recommend simply lubricating them with oil to soften them, while others argue that there is no need to touch such growths at all. So what are these crusts on a baby’s head, and what is the right thing to do to get rid of them?

What are seborrheic crusts?

Crusts on the scalp of a newborn are a very common occurrence. They occur in almost every second baby. They can be seen mainly in the area of the crown, fontanel and forehead.

Moreover, it does not matter whether the baby already has hair or whether its head is covered only with sparse fluff. The crusts may be yellow, light brown or white. They appear within the first two weeks after birth.

Often such formations on the head of a baby are called seborrheic crusts or seborrheic dermatitis. However, under no circumstances should this be considered a disease.

Important! Mothers need to know that the appearance of crusts is one of many other aspects of a newborn’s adaptation to new living conditions.

Moreover, such processes are inherent in nature itself and arise regardless of external circumstances. There is no need to be afraid of the appearance of such scales on the baby’s head: they will not cause harm to the body, and the child’s skin will not be damaged.

These growths do not cause any concern to the baby. You may hear the opinion that they interfere with normal hair growth or prevent the scalp from breathing. All this applies only to the advanced stage, when these “scales” begin to grow unnecessarily.

Almost the only inconvenience associated with the appearance of a yellow crust on a baby’s head is its rather unsightly appearance. Parents are often worried about this very fact, because it seems that the baby is poorly cared for and is not monitored for cleanliness. Of course, this is not true. Crusts are quite difficult to remove, and their presence does not indicate a lack of hygienic care.

Causes of crusts on a child’s head

The reasons for the appearance of a crust on a baby’s head lie in something completely different. The crusts themselves are formed as a result of mixing excess sebum with exfoliated skin particles and sweat. It is this mass that dries and turns into dense plates.

There are a lot of such records. Some fall off on their own or are easily removed by the touch of a comb, but most of them stick tightly to each other and the skin.

The main factors responsible for the appearance of crusts on a baby’s head are:

poor functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands;
soft skin;
unformed thermoregulation processes (interesting article: what temperature should be in the room for a newborn?>>>);
unstable water balance (read also: when can you give water to a newborn?>>>).

Agree, parents cannot influence any of these aspects in any way. Therefore, it is believed that the formation of a crust is an absolutely natural phenomenon.

The initial activity of the sebaceous glands in infants is explained by the influence of maternal hormones, which are transmitted to the baby during intrauterine development. There is no way to cancel these processes, but over time the child’s body will begin to function normally and the crusts will disappear on their own.

But this is not the only reason. Quite often, the appearance of growths on a baby’s head can be caused by improper actions of parents, which provoke irritation of the sebaceous glands and, as a result, lead to an excess of secreted oil on the skin. How this can happen:

Constantly wrapping the baby up, which leads to overheating and increased sweating. Constantly wearing hats is considered especially harmful;
A very wrong decision would be to try to remove excess sebum by washing your hair frequently. This, on the contrary, will have the opposite effect. After all, such fat is involved in creating the natural protective layer of the skin, and the body, in response to your actions, will increase its production;
Using shampoos that contain chemicals, dyes or fragrances will unnecessarily irritate the skin;
Eating salted or smoked foods by a nursing mother can also activate the sebaceous glands in the baby.

In rare cases, growths that appear on the baby's head, the so-called milk crusts, are an allergic reaction to the components of milk. With such a diagnosis, other signs of allergy (regurgitation, rash) should also be noticeable.

How to eliminate yellow crusts on the head of a newborn?

It is important to remember that the baby’s crusts are only on the surface of the skin and do not affect his health in any way. If you do not touch them, they will gradually disappear, but this should take 9 - 12 months. However, many mothers strive to get rid of them as early as possible.

Know! Let us warn you right away that you cannot remove such growths without prior preparation! This can cause infection or hurt the baby.

The removal process consists of several stages.

Before removing crusts from a newborn’s head, they need to be softened. To do this, lubricate the areas with growths with sterile vegetable oil (you can use Vaseline or salicylic ointment) and put on a cap. This procedure should be done an hour before swimming.
Then remove the cap and massage the scalp using a comb with natural bristles.
Now let's start swimming. To wash off the oil, you need to lather your hair with shampoo. During washing, the crusts will begin to fall off. It should be understood that it is impossible to remove everything at once the first time, so there is no need to reuse the shampoo. Read more about bathing in the article: How to bathe a newborn?>>>.
Finally, you need to dry your baby with a towel and comb him again, using minimal effort to remove the scales.

Interesting! The crusts will disappear gradually as a result of several such sessions, which are recommended to be repeated no more than 1 - 2 times a week.

If, while taking measures to prevent the appearance of growths and carrying out all the necessary hygienic procedures, the crusts on the baby’s head do not disappear and even begin to spread further, then it is necessary to consult a doctor who will prescribe treatment.

Of course, crusts on a baby’s head are not a disease, but it would be wrong to completely ignore them. The best solution can be considered gradual and careful removal of growths in combination with the prevention of their occurrence.

Yellowish crusts on the baby's head are seborrheic dermatitis, which occurs due to the secretion of sebum, which is qualitatively changed in the baby due to natural hormonal imbalances. A rash does not always indicate any pathology, but it cannot be ignored. Crusts may appear on the eyebrows and other parts of the body. Such seborrheic crusts appear both in the first days and closer to the year. Seborrheic dermatitis, as a rule, does not require drug treatment and disappears on its own. Cases with complications of the disease, when the disease affects large areas of the body, are treated with special means.

Seborrheic crusts from the head can spread to the face - mainly eyebrows and cheeks

Main features

Many mothers know well what seborrheic dermatitis looks like in a baby, since it is common. Let's list the main features:

Grayish or yellowish scales covering partially or completely the scalp of the baby. The greatest concentration of scales occurs in the parietal region. They accumulate in a dense layer, popularly called a cap, shell, or cradle cap.
Crusts also form on other parts of the body. Rarely, they can appear on the neck, face, and behind the ears. Dermatitis in a newborn affects the buttock, axillary and groin areas.
The formation of seborrheic crusts is not accompanied by inflammatory processes and does not cause irritation, which makes it possible to distinguish them from atopic dermatitis. Details about atopic dermatitis are described in our other materials (we recommend reading:).
The scales look unassuming, but do not cause itching. The child does not react to them in any way, he does not experience discomfort.

The manifestation of this type of dermatitis occurs between the ages of one week and 3 months. The lifespan of scales depends on the individual characteristics of the child. Most often they disappear without a trace by the age of one year, but in some children they persist for up to 2-4 years. Localized under the hairline, the crusts do not make it difficult to comb hair and do not bother the baby.

The crusts on the baby's head do not bother them, but they look unsightly - like severe dandruff in an adult

What are the causes of scales?

Doctors have not identified precisely established causes leading to the formation of seborrheic crusts. Only assumptions are voiced, among which are the following:

Formation of the baby's endocrine system. Developing inside the mother's womb, the child's body receives the necessary hormones from her. After childbirth, the resulting hormones begin to be withdrawn, which leads to a predictable malfunction of the endocrine system. The work of the sebaceous glands intensifies, excess sebum appears on the skin in the form of small scabs, and a crust forms on the head. Since the hormonal background of children can be different, in some children it does not appear at all.
Negative external stimuli. The crust is formed due to wearing a headdress for a long time. Sweat and heat provoke seborrheic dermatitis. In addition, scales on the baby’s head form from frequent washing. Using the wrong detergents causes the top layer of the epidermis to dry out. Dry skin becomes the culprit of a malfunction of the sebaceous glands.
Quality of mother's diet. It is believed that seborrhea on the head is the baby’s body’s response to the mother’s poor diet (we recommend reading:). Perhaps, with mother's milk, the baby receives certain elements that affect the endocrine system. The same version applies to artificial feeding, when the child is given a formula that is poorly tolerated by his body. Early introduction of complementary foods also provokes the disease.
Activation of the opportunistic fungus Malassezia furfur. The fungus constantly lives in our skin. Hormonal imbalance gives impetus to the rapid proliferation of the fungus, which leads to the appearance of yellow rashes.
Weakening of the immune system. The version is based on the fact that every baby is born with a weak immune system. If the child’s protective functions are weakened, the fungus described above begins to multiply and the functioning of the sebaceous glands is disrupted. The baby's low weight, infectious disease, and heredity also affect the stability of the immune system.

Frequent wearing of caps creates a moist environment favorable to seborrheic dermatitis. At home and in the warm season, the child should walk without a headdress

How to identify seborrheic dermatitis?

Only a specialist can correctly diagnose the disease. A dermatologist, by comparing the signs, is able to distinguish the disease from ringworm, atopic dermatitis, an infectious skin disease, and psoriasis. The diagnosis is based on an external examination and test results, which include:

microscopy and mycological examination of scales;
skin biopsy;
research on the state of the child’s hormonal levels.

What is the treatment?

Yellow crusts, which cause concern for the mother, do not pose a danger to the baby’s life.

Treatment of seborrhea does not involve serious medical measures; in most cases, it simply disappears over time. Reducing the density and dryness of the crusts will help you quickly get rid of the unpleasant formation.

Lubricate the scales on the baby's head, behind the ears, on the forehead and eyebrows with cleansing oils. Pharmacies offer different types of oils: almond, primrose, peach, jojoba, olive. Oils are sold in regular bottles and sprays.
Treat places where rashes accumulate (behind the ears, on the eyebrows, on the forehead) with cleansing gels, creams, emulsions. Under their influence, the crusts soften, you don’t have to comb them out, just rinse the child’s head well and remove the residue with your hands. In addition, the composition of gels and creams includes substances that regulate the functioning of the sebaceous glands. The secretion of excess fat decreases and a “shell” does not form. French-made drugs work well: D.S. Uriage and Mustela Stelaker. Apply at night and rinse thoroughly in the morning.
Wash the baby with antiseborrheic shampoos. Shampoos are applied to damp hair and rubbed in until a thick foam is formed. After holding for 5 minutes, wash your baby. Use the Friederm brand, which contains antifungal agents.
Use dermatological creams. The drug should be rubbed into dry scalp up to 2 times a day, do not rinse. The best baby cream is Bioderma Sensibio DS+. Acts against microbes and restores normal functioning of the sebaceous glands.

Use any of the medications only after a doctor’s prescription, and no more than twice a week. Duration of treatment is 1-2 months. If you are afraid of artificial compounds, turn to traditional medicine, which has its own, long-established methods of combating seborrhea. We offer the most common method of folk getting rid of an unpleasant phenomenon.

What folk remedies help?

The main folk method of treating the disease is the use of vegetable oils: sea buckthorn, sunflower, olive. Oils soften the crusts, then carefully comb them out. The process goes like this:

Generously lubricate the affected area with oil and leave it on for 20 minutes. Before the procedure, do not moisturize your baby’s hair; the skin should be dry.
To soften the crust well, you should put a thin knitted cap on the baby’s head.
Take a soft brush and carefully remove the crusts from the head and behind the ears.
Wash your baby's hair and head with shampoo to remove any remaining oil.
If there are still scales left after washing, you need to take a clean brush and comb them out.

The same folk method, which helps remove scales, is suitable for treating dermatitis on the eyebrows and behind the ears. If your treasure has long hair, cut it before the procedure to prevent it from getting in the way. Monitor the effect of the cream or shampoo. If an allergic reaction occurs, immediately wash off the product, stop using this shampoo or gel, and try a different brand.

Crusts softened with oil or cream can be painlessly removed using a soft brush.

What is absolutely forbidden to do?

A warning to impatient mothers and those who are concerned about the aesthetic appearance of your child: it is strictly forbidden to pick off scabs or remove them from dry skin. Such removal only provokes the formation of new scales. By carrying out a “barbaric” procedure, you can injure the skin. The resulting wound will cause infection and the situation will worsen.

What complications does seborrhea cause?

Complications do not appear on their own, there are always provoking factors - improper care, the effects of diet, drying out of the scalp lead to complications of dermatitis. Then the crusts on the head turn into a depressing state. Remember the manifestation of alarm signals:

Expansion of the area of the scaly “shell”, transition from the head to other parts of the body. Redness and itching appear. Hereditary predisposition to atopy leads to the development of atopic dermatitis.
The slightest wound or abrasion in the area of seborrhea causes skin infection, which can lead to secondary infection with streptococci and staphylococci. The rashes become pustular in nature, the area of affected skin increases, and dermatitis spreads to the axillary, buttock and groin areas. The baby will have to be given antibacterial medications.

One of the complications of seborrhea can be atopic dermatitis if the baby is predisposed to it (more details in the article:)

Is it possible to prevent the formation of crusts?

Having successfully eliminated the unpleasant process, mothers are looking for remedies that can prevent the problem from recurring. Dr. Komarovsky, explaining why dermatitis appears, focuses on diet. A well-known pediatrician suggests that nursing mothers balance their diet by reducing the proportion of carbohydrates and fatty foods that affect the fat content of milk. Simple preventive measures will help you avoid encountering the problem again:

Install a humidifier at home. The device will maintain the necessary humidity in the room, which is especially important for children with dry skin and those prone to allergies.
After washing your baby's hair, use moisturizing products (gels, lotions) from the children's series. Treat not only the head, but also the space behind the ears. They will protect the skin from peeling and dryness.
Accompanying milk crusts with itching, redness and diarrhea indicates that the baby has an allergy. Go to the doctor, he will analyze the condition and develop a gentle diet for you and the baby.
Dress your treasure according to the weather, do not wrap it in a hundred clothes. Touch the crown and feet of the newborn: if they are dry, it means he is dressed correctly; if they are hot, lighten his outfit. In addition, overheating causes weakened immunity.

The measures described are relevant both after cured seborrhea and at the moment when you get rid of it. If your treasure is diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis, don't be alarmed. Milk flakes are not dangerous, they are just a temporary phenomenon that can be successfully treated with simple remedies. A competent approach to treatment is a surefire tool for quickly getting rid of an annoying “spot” on a child’s appearance.

In the first months after birth, the mother suddenly begins to notice that yellowish crusts appear on the baby’s crown, unpleasant in appearance. Faced with this for the first time, some young parents panic, considering such raids a sign of illness. Although crusts on the head of a newborn are quite natural, and their appearance is not associated with the disease, but with the peculiarities of caring for the baby.

It doesn’t matter whether the baby was born with hair or bald, a phenomenon such as crusts on the baby’s head will appear if the mother does not follow a number of rules for caring for the baby. Basically, the problem is related to the physiology of the little person - in children, the main thermoregulatory functions develop closer to 5 years.

In infants, the skin has not yet learned to “breathe” correctly, and under certain conditions the sebaceous glands actively clog the pores. Therefore, such formations are classified as seborrheic crusts, popularly called “cradle caps.”

You can avoid their occurrence if you eliminate 2 main reasons:

Overly caring parents prefer to wrap their babies up for fear of catching a cold. Even in a well-warmed room, the newborn is thoroughly wrapped up, putting a warm cap on his head. The steamed glands begin to actively work, and sebaceous secretions, appearing on the scalp, turn into crusts.
Paradoxically, a crust on a baby’s head can form from frequent bathing of the child using detergents based on chemical components. Excessive exposure of the baby's skin to such cosmetics leads to a malfunction of the sebaceous glands, which is why seborrhea develops.

If none of these factors are observed in caring for a newborn, it can be assumed that the plaque that appears is associated with allergic manifestations. This reaction can be caused by food products that are included in the diet of a nursing mother, or in milk formulas for artificial infants.

How to remove a crust on a newborn's head

Despite the fact that a crust on a baby’s head is a natural phenomenon, it should not be ignored. The development of seborrhea always involves bacteria that can infect hair follicles. It is believed that by the age of one year the yellow crust on the baby’s head will go away on its own. But is it worth waiting a few months for the baby to get rid of this unaesthetic growth?

What measures should be taken?

Having made sure that the plaque that appears is not caused by an allergic reaction, but by the conditions of caring for the baby, the mother should take a number of measures described below.

You need to learn how to dress your child according to the ambient temperature. At home, at +24°C, the baby should remain without a cap. This will allow the head to “breathe”.
Daily bathing of a newborn is not forbidden, but it is better to avoid cosmetics (even if they are included in the “children’s” category). You should choose regular soap, but use it no more than once a week. It is enough to wash the baby in herbal decoctions.
Babies born with hair need to be brushed regularly. For this, mother buys a special baby comb made from natural materials. This will prevent a crust from appearing on the newborn's head.

In addition to this, you will have to take a number of actions, which are the main algorithm for combating milk crusts.

How to remove crusts on a baby’s head - step-by-step instructions

An hour and a half before bathing, the plaque is lubricated with oil - cosmetic for children or vegetable. You can also apply salicylic ointment or Vaseline. Put on a warm cap, which is removed after 1 hour. This will help soften the sebaceous formations. Then the baby is carefully combed, trying not to injure him.
During bathing, the baby's head is washed with baby soap, rinsing thoroughly. You should lather your hair only once per bath. It is better to repeat the following procedure after a week.
When the hair is dry, you need to comb it first with a blunt-toothed comb, then with a soft brush.

How to comb when there is a crust on the baby's head

In the process of the described actions, you should not be zealous - even small milky crusts on a baby’s head cannot be removed in one go. But, having started to fight them, the mother starts the mechanism of their rejection.

When a crust appears on the baby's head, the mother thinks about how to remove it using modern newborn care products. Among the large number of commercially available ones, the most harmless but effective are the following:

BabyBorn baby soap contains special oils that make it easy to deal with seborrheic crusts.
STELAKER cream from the trending manufacturer Mustela gives excellent results. It is designed specifically to combat breast milk crust in newborns.
Biolane shampoo will also make the disposal process easier. Its composition moisturizes the skin, helping to soften sebaceous formations.

Treatment of a crust on a baby’s head with “STELAKER” cream

You can look at other products for babies. For them to be useful, you must carefully read the labels and take into account the composition of the drug. Some of them can give the opposite result, aggravating the situation, and then the seborrheic crusts on the baby’s head will have to be eliminated with medical procedures.

Crusts on a baby's head - treatment

If mother’s attempts to remove seborrhea crusts did not bring any effect, or the products used caused an allergic reaction, it is best to seek help from a pediatric dermatologist. You should not delay visiting a doctor - bacteria that develop in such growths multiply very quickly. As a result, bleeding ulcers may appear on the baby’s head.

Examination of a child by a dermatologist

The doctor will examine the baby, prescribe laboratory tests and use other diagnostic methods to determine the causes of the formation of seborrheic crusts that cannot be removed. Then only the appropriate treatment will be carried out.

Antihistamines are prescribed for internal use if the cause lies in allergic manifestations.
Inflammatory processes are stopped with appropriate medications.
If necessary, the dermatologist will also prescribe probiotics, with the help of which the baby’s intestinal microflora will be restored.
A special shampoo is selected, which contains medications.

The mother may also have to make some appointments if she is breastfeeding her newborn. At the same time, you need to immediately assume that the course of therapy will be long and largely depends on the mother’s desire to strictly follow all the doctor’s instructions.

What not to do

Trying to speed up the process of removing crusts, some parents begin to actively scrape off the growths with their nails or, even worse, use metal combs with sharp teeth. This should not be done under any circumstances - such actions lead to serious injuries to the scalp. Which, in turn, will provoke infection, allowing seborrheic bacteria to penetrate the blood.

If crusts form on a baby’s head, you need to understand the reasons for this phenomenon. They have a light shade: white or yellowish. Such scales are held quite firmly on the skin. Most often they are localized in the forehead, crown and behind the ears. To remove crusts, use special or improvised means. Considering that newborns and infants have delicate skin, you should begin cleaning it after consulting a doctor.

What are seborrheic crusts?

This phenomenon is a physiological process. This is a separate type of seborrhea, in which there are no pronounced symptoms. Such scales have other names: milk crusts, gneiss. The nature of the physiological process differs from dry and oily, as well as mixed seborrhea. For comparison, in the first case the skin is too dry, in the second, on the contrary, it is excessively oily. With combined seborrhea, the symptoms are mixed. Scales or seborrheic crusts appear on the baby's head and face a few weeks after birth.

This phenomenon is not considered a sign of disease. The scales do not cause any discomfort to the child. Outwardly they look unattractive. However, they only create discomfort for parents when examining the child’s head. In most cases, seborrhea of this type develops in children of the first year of life. By the end of this period, new scales are not formed, and existing ones are easily removed.

It is a mistake to believe that gneiss is the result of insufficiently careful care.

Causes of crusts

Internal factors that provoke the formation of characteristic plaques are noted:

the function of the sebaceous glands is not fully formed - they work too intensively, as a result, an excessive amount of secretion is released, but this happens only in those areas where more glands are localized;
activation of yeast-like fungi, which are found on the skin of any person, and therefore are not pathogenic microflora, but against the background of increased secretion of sebaceous glands, the results of their vital activity are more pronounced, because under such conditions crusts form, and the immunity of infants is not yet fully formed , therefore there is no barrier to plaque growth;
changes in hormonal levels;
increased sweating as a pathological process that develops as a result of other diseases, and even with regular overheating, plaques begin to form in the child, which is also a consequence of increased sweating, but in this case this process is the result of external factors that are easy to eliminate;
regular, as well as extremely infrequent, washing contributes to the formation of plaques, this occurs due to the lack of a protective film on the outer integument; with frequent contact with soap or shampoo, the skin does not have time to recover, which leads to disruption of natural processes, and if the child is rarely washed, the secretion produced sebaceous glands, is not removed, it accumulates, resulting in crusts;
the use of aggressive cosmetic care products: shampoos, gels, liquid soap, in this case the skin becomes dry and the already imperfect functioning of the sebaceous glands is disrupted;
lack of fluid in the body, if the child is breastfed, you can give him a little water - 1 tsp;
violation of a woman’s diet during lactation; sweet, salty, spicy and fatty foods should be prohibited (during the first months of the child’s life);
stress, and even short-term nervous overstrain can lead to the appearance of negative signs, since the central nervous system is not yet fully formed;
errors when introducing complementary foods, which provokes the development of allergies;
dysbacteriosis while taking antibacterial drugs;
metabolic disorders, as a result the functioning of most body systems changes.

Symptoms

The main sign is the appearance of scales on the baby's head. In most cases, symptoms characteristic of other types of seborrhea are absent, for example: itching, peeling, redness. Mostly plaques are localized on the head, less often on other parts of the body. Sometimes a child experiences symptoms of complicated seborrhea of this type: peeling, redness, increased number of plaques, dandruff. In such cases, the use of special cosmetics is required.

Under the scales you can find a greasy spot, which is a consequence of changes in the functioning of the glands. It is a mistake to believe that the formation of scales on the skin contributes to hair loss. In reality, plaques have no effect on the intensity of hair growth or hair loss. The crusts protrude somewhat above the outer integument.

Is treatment necessary?

The need for third-party intervention in the formation of scales on the scalp arises if their number has increased significantly. In most cases, there is no need to perform special manipulations: use cream, comb, oil, and other methods. Considering that seborrhea of this type is a physiological process, there is no need to try to take part in it.

The scales will disappear naturally, although not immediately, but closer to the end of 6 or 9 months; less often, such crusts remain on the skin for up to 12 months. The plaques do not linger longer than this period. On the contrary, constant intervention can lead to the problem getting worse, since one of the reasons for this phenomenon is considered to be excessive skin care.

Expert opinion

When a crust forms on a baby’s head, Komarovsky explains this as a natural process. It does not cause discomfort to the child. Normally there are no other signs. Milk seborrhea causes more inconvenience to parents because it looks unattractive. When touched, unpleasant sensations may occur, because the plaques are quite hard, sometimes itchy, and they are also located in the area of sebaceous secretions. This means that there is no urgent need for treatment. It is enough to wait until they pass on their own.

What complications does seborrhea cause?

Crusts on the head most often appear in small quantities and gradually disappear on their own, but sometimes a severe form of seborrhea of this type develops. It is accompanied by a number of signs:

the localization of the lesion changes, the area of the outer integument with scales increases, and a kind of shell may form from such growths;
plaques fester, which is due to close contact with the skin in areas where there is the greatest accumulation of sebaceous glands, the functioning of which is disrupted;
redness appears in the area where the growths are localized;
deformation of the outer integument in the area where scales are localized can cause the development of an inflammatory process;
when itching appears, the child will touch the plaques, given that they are quite dense and firmly attached to the skin; when such growths are abruptly removed, wounds form.

Cosmetics against seborrheic crust in children

There are a large number of methods to combat this unpleasant phenomenon. The simplest is the use of special cosmetics, the action of which is aimed at removing crusts. You can consider purchasing shampoo, gel, cream, foam, oil and other forms of preparations. They are specialized, so they are not used in the absence of seborrhea in infants.

Such products contain useful substances, which helps to avoid increased dryness of the outer skin. Other positive qualities of special drugs:

maintaining skin pH balance;
absence of aggressive components;
the products do not irritate mucous membranes and eyes;
Plaques are removed and the skin is cleansed at the same time.

It is important to follow the instructions for use, since different drugs are intended for use for different periods. Paste-like substances are applied for a long period of time, for example, overnight. Then they are washed off along with the peeled crusts. These drugs are often used after cleansing the scalp. The composition may include emollients that help change the structure of the scales and their separation from the outer integument. However, it is important to ensure that the baby does not develop an allergy to the components in the products.

How to remove crust on a baby’s head if regular shampoo doesn’t help?

Special preparations are often based on the following substances: ketoconazole, zinc, selenium and salicylic acid. They are quite effective and are over-the-counter, which means you can purchase them without a doctor’s advice if you notice white or yellow growths on your head. However, such tools do not always fulfill their task. This may be due to various factors:

the child’s individual reaction to the components in the composition;
severe form of seborrhea of this type;
insufficiently high concentration of active substances;
violation of instructions for use.

In these cases, it is possible to remove the crusts from the baby’s head if more effective means are used. However, they are prescription drugs prescribed by a doctor.

The disadvantage of such products is that they have an aggressive effect on the scalp, so they are used for a short period and subsequently replaced with milder drugs.
How to remove seborrheic crusts on the head using oil?

Fatty substances are effective. The oil promotes faster detachment of scales from the outer integument, so it is often used in its pure form or as an auxiliary component. However, intensive treatment with fatty substances should not be carried out, as this may aggravate the problem of growths. It is recommended to use almond or special baby oil.

To remove scabs on a child’s head, you need to follow the instructions for using this product:

the fatty substance is applied to the scalp, this can be done with fingertips or a cotton pad, and it is important to use the minimum required amount of oil, at the same time a gentle massage of the scalp is performed;

leave the oil for 15 minutes, during which time it will have time to soften the scales;

To remove growths, use a baby comb, its teeth are soft enough not to injure the skin, the procedure is performed without effort, as this will lead to the formation of wounds; if some crusts are not removed, it is recommended to re-process them or use another method;

To cleanse the skin of oil and remaining flakes, you need to wash your hair with shampoo, and it is advisable to leave it for 2-3 minutes, then the fatty components will dissolve better, then the foam is thoroughly rinsed off.

If a certain amount of shampoo remains on the hair or scalp, this can lead to dandruff and dry outer skin.

When should you see a doctor?

In most cases, you can independently detect the crusts and carry out the procedure for removing them. However, there are a number of conditions under which it is recommended to visit a doctor, which will eliminate the risk of further development of seborrhea:
there is no experience in performing manipulations to remove plaques;

growths appeared on non-hairy areas of the skin;

the lesion is enlarged, the number of plaques has increased significantly;

home remedies do not help stop the spread of scales;

hair falls out in areas where crusts are localized on the skin, and other signs appear: itching, redness, peeling;

secondary infection of the areas where the growths have formed has occurred, while the temperature increases, swelling may develop, and redness may intensify;

immunity is quite weak.

What is the treatment?

To eliminate the signs of seborrhea, you should use any of the following:

Shampoos are recommended to be used first, since often this measure is enough to normalize the condition of the skin;

they use special products: gels, creams, emulsions, in this case not only the scalp is cleansed, but also the functioning of the sebaceous glands is restored, dryness is eliminated, the advantage of these drugs is that there is no need for mechanical action, since the scales are softened under the influence of active substances, they will need to be removed by hand while washing your hair;

different types of oils are used: jojoba, olive, almond, etc.;

dermatological creams, the action of which is aimed at restoring a number of processes in the structure of the skin: normalizing the functioning of the sebaceous glands, providing an antibacterial effect, etc., they are used along with special means, which eliminates the risk of the formation of scales again.

What folk remedies help?

Milk crusts on the head are removed using different methods:

they use vegetable oils, not cosmetics, they are applied to dry scalp, after treatment you need to leave the product for 20 minutes, thermal exposure is allowed, for which the child is put on a knitted cap, then the scales are removed by combing, and the oil is washed off with shampoo;

a rich cream is used, the best product for children, the principle of application is the same as in the case of vegetable oil, but it is not necessary to use a cap, since the cream is characterized by a dense structure, which provides an enhanced effect.

What is absolutely forbidden to do?

It is forbidden to remove growths without preparation - directly from dry skin. In this case, wounds will appear and secondary infection may occur. In addition, this method will provoke the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the child, since the plaques are attached quite firmly to the scalp. Mechanical impact without moistening with fatty components or special means can lead to the formation of even more crusts.

Preventive measures

You should not wash your baby's hair too often using shampoo or soap. In an alkaline environment, the skin becomes dry, which leads to disruption of the sebaceous glands, and at the same time contributes to the appearance of crusts on the newborn’s head. They also create a comfortable microclimate in the room: they normalize the humidity level (within 50-70%), the air should be slightly cool (+20...+22°C), which will avoid overheating of the child. It is recommended to change your diet.

The appearance of yellow crusts on the baby's head makes every mother worry.

But don’t worry, you just need to understand this problem and understand that this is not a disease, but the formation of a tiny organism.

So, let's look at the reasons for the unusual symptoms.

Seborrheic crusts are a type of dandruff.

In an adult, its appearance is provoked by dry skin on the head; in children, it appears due to excessive secretion and accumulation of sebum.

The localization of the crusts is fronto-parietal, but since the sebaceous glands are located throughout the body, their appearance can be found on the eyebrows, behind the ears, on the temples and even on the cheeks of the toddler.

When a lot of scales accumulate, a crust forms and looks like a yellow cap. The common people called this problem “baby’s cap.”

Causes of crusts

The appearance of crusts is primarily due to the physiology of the baby.

His body is at the stage of improvement, so the sweat and sebaceous glands do not work smoothly, which promotes the growth of yeast, which every person normally has and is part of the microflora.

For adults, the appearance of seborrheic dermatitis is an alarming signal, but in a newborn it is a variant of the norm.

If your baby has reappeared after the crusts have disappeared, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Also, the appearance of yellow formations can be caused by a number of factors:

Dietary disorders of a nursing mother or incorrectly selected formula.
Overheating of the baby or frequent wearing of a cap. As a result, the child sweats a lot, the discharge remains on the baby’s head and mixes with sebum.
Allergy to products used in infant hygiene. As a result, irritation and rashes appear, the skin becomes dry, which leads to the formation of more and more scales.
Frequent hair washing removes the oily layer covering the baby's body. The sebaceous glands, trying to protect the body, begin to work more productively, which leads to increased production of sebum.

Symptoms

Seborrheic formations have a number of characteristic features:

The mother notices the first crusts already at 2-3 weeks of the baby’s life;
scales appear not only on the baby’s crown, but also on the temples, forehead, eyebrows, and behind the ears;
the formations are yellow or gray in color, have a greasy texture, and their accumulations resemble flakes that have covered the head;
Normally, these crusts should not bother the baby;
the scales easily stick to the comb and hair, especially after they get wet;
crusts should not leave damage on the baby's skin.

If the baby behaves restlessly and at the same time has pustules, abrasions, scratches, then you should definitely consult a specialist.

Treatment

Treatment of seborrheic crusts can be carried out at home independently, without the use of medications.

You can also use special products designed to eliminate scaly formations after consulting a pediatrician.

Pediatric doctors most often prescribe foams or shampoos for infants.

The product should be applied to areas covered with crusts, slightly foamed and massaged into the skin for three to four minutes, after which you can bathe the baby and pat the hair dry with a towel.

The most popular drugs for seborrheic crusts are shampoos: Kelual D.S., Nizoral, Friederm tar and others.

Sometimes, with large areas of damage, shampoos may not give the desired result. In this case, after consultation, the doctor may prescribe treatment with ointment for seborrheic dermatitis. Thanks to its texture, the product is well absorbed and effectively fights dry crusts.

Modern manufacturers have also developed a cream for scalp crusts, which acts quickly and relieves the baby of scaly formations in the shortest possible time.

How to comb out crusts from the scalp of infants?

Parents often do not want to wait for the scabs to come off on their own. In this case, a mechanical method of removing scales will come to the rescue.

Combing out crusts takes place in several stages:

Hydration. Two hours before bathing, apply a small amount of oil to the affected area of the head. You can use sunflower, olive, almond, Vaseline or any other, the main thing is that there are no allergic reactions. Apply carefully, do not press too hard. While the mixture is absorbed, you can wear a hat or cap, this will help protect against stains. After the oil softens the crusts, the cap should be removed. Next, you need to take a soft brush and massage the baby’s skin, paying special attention to places where there is a large accumulation of “flakes”; you need to move in different directions so that the scales peel off well.
Bathing. In order for the oil to be washed off better, you need to lather your hair with shampoo and leave it on while your baby is bathing. Next, the product needs to be washed off. At the end of the water procedures, you should lightly blot the baby’s hair with a towel, and under no circumstances rub it. If the temperature in the apartment allows the child’s hair to dry on its own, then you should not use a hairdryer. It will only make things worse by drying out the delicate skin.
Combing. After bathing, the softened crust needs to be combed. It is better to choose a comb from natural materials, with rounded ends, so as not to injure the baby. After all the manipulations, the scales should be easy to remove and stick to the brush, from which they should be removed immediately, and only then continue combing. The crusts can get tangled in the hair; they should also be carefully picked up with a comb and removed.

If the child begins to protest, try again next time, since you won’t be able to get rid of the crusts in one go.

This procedure can be performed no more than twice a week. If you do not use detergents, then softening and combing can be done at least every day until the seborrheic formations are eliminated.

Do not try to pick off scales with your fingernails. This can damage the baby's delicate skin and cause him pain.

Crust care

To prevent crusts from constantly growing, you need to properly care for them:

do not ignore the appearance of seborrheic crusts in infants;
according to doctors, scaly formations must be treated;
moisturizing the scalp with special creams and combing can prevent dandruff from drying into a hard crust;
using oil for steaming will prevent scales from growing;
Observance of the temperature regime will prevent the appearance of new formations.

When will the crust on the baby's head go away?

If seborrheic dermatitis is uncomplicated, it usually goes away on its own by 8-9 months of the baby’s life with proper care of the baby and does not require the use of special means. But you should understand that each child is unique, and everything depends on how quickly the work of the little body normalizes.

Why doesn't it work?

Taking the necessary tests and a doctor will help determine exactly what caused the persistence of seborrheic crusts in the baby.

The recovery process is individual for each baby, and therefore many factors influence the time it takes for the scales to disappear:

whether parents properly carry out the baby’s hygiene;
how often they wash and what products they use;
whether the problem is being treated and eliminated;
whether there is an allergy in the baby’s body;
How does a nursing mother eat?
if the baby is artificial, then how correctly the mixture was chosen.

Failure to comply with at least one of the above factors can cause the formation of new crusts and various complications, as well as an obstacle to eliminating old ones.

Thus, seborrheic crusts in infants are normal and do not pose any danger. Only their unaesthetic appearance forces many mothers to take measures to eliminate the problem. The main thing in this matter is regularity and patience, then success is guaranteed.