Hello!

Hi Mums, my 2 year old has developed what looks like cradle cap along with an outbreak of a pimply rash on his nose and cheeks. The muck on his scalp is scaly and builds up on the roots of his hair and when I try to remove it whole chunks of hair are coming with it. Does anyone have any ideas how to get rid of this? Thanks!


Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • Yep, second the pharmacist advice – they have some really solid advice most of the times.


  • I use olive oil on my boy leave it on the scalp all day and wash off gently at night during bath time


  • I’m glad you spoke to pharmacist as I was going to say I don’t think it could be cradle cap in a 2yr old & suspect something more like a dermatitis. Glad to hear things are clearing up for your little man


  • I rubbed baby oil on my little mans head, left it for 15 minutes or so, and brushed his head gently with a soft comb. The oil seemed to loosen the flakes and they came off easily with the comb.


  • Rub olive oil in the hair and let it sit for a while before washing it out


  • I was told vitamin e oil and comb it out, but it may be worth checking wiht the doctor / health nurse or see your local pharmacist to see if it is linked with the pimply rash you described and ask them for the best treatment for his case.


  • Coconut oil works really well.


  • I was told my maternal child health nurse to rub in Olive oil and then very gently remove the bits with baby comb.


  • Coconut oil or olive oil!


  • If your kids has cradle cap avoid all off the shelf hair washes and just wash it with warm..


  • Thanks for the suggestions! I found out that cradle cap in older kids and adults is a form of dermatitis (seborrhoeic dermatitis – cradle cap is what they call it in infants). And that it can cause redness or dryness on the face. We had used olive oil on my son when he had cradle cap as a little bub but it doesn’t seem to be working this time around. So we asked our pharmacist for some suggestions and our treatment was apple cider vinegar in his hair and Moo Goo Scalp Cream in his hair and on his face (this cream is made for cradle cap/ seborrhoeic dermatitis – was so excited to find this).

    Two days later it has cleared up!!! He has a couple of teeny bald patched on his head but these are hiding under his hair and should grow back (fingers crossed). Ongoing treatment is to make sure we wash his hair and scalp thoroughly at bath time.


  • Yep, exactly what the other lady said, apply olive oil. It gently lifts and releases the cradle crap clump. Bit messy for bedding, but works well. Not sure about the pimples. Have you added any extra new additions to his diet that may be causing both things?


  • My son had cradle cap when he was a baby. We would rub a small amount of olive oil into his scalp each night. Makes the sheets a little oily but it cleared up his cradle cap and it didn’t come back.


Post your reply
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your answer and join MoM:

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join