Having a baby causes you to have to learn a lot of things in a very short period of time. There are some infants who develop dry, scaly skin on the top of their head. This condition is often referred to as cradle cap. Cradle cap can cause your baby to have itchy skin and feel uncomfortable quite often. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to treat the cradle cap and make your baby feel more comfortable. Use the following guide to learn how to treat cradle cap in a safe way.

Take the Baby to the Doctor

If you notice that your baby's skin is red and scaly, you need to take him or her to the doctor right away. The issue could be a rash caused by an allergic reaction to something that the baby has ingested or something in his or her environment. The doctor will be able to assess if your child suffers from cradle cap or if there is another issue that needs to be addressed.

Wash Your Baby's Head and Scalp

The doctor will be able to give you a medicated shampoo to use on your baby's scalp. Take the time to lightly massage your child's head as you rub in the shampoo. The massaging motion will soothe your child's skin and help him or her feel more comfortable.    

Brush the Scales Away

Use a small soft bristle brush to lightly brush your child's scalp after their skin has dried. The brush will lightly pull the loose skin from your child's hair to reveal the healthy skin underneath. Be very gentle when brushing your child's scalp to ensure that you are not too rough and accidentally hurt them.

Soothe the Itch and Redness

Organic coconut oil can be a great, all-natural treatment for dry skin. Coconut oil is often sold in a solid form and is shelf stable. You need to apply a pea size amount of coconut oil on the tips of your fingers and rub it gently to melt it into an oil. Lightly rub the oil onto your child's head in small, circular motions. This will stimulate your child's skin, while soothing any itch and relieving redness.

If you find that your child's cradle cap does not improve over a few weeks, you need to take him or her back to see the doctor. Your child may have a skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis and need special creams to treat the issue.