Experience Sharing 9: Dandruff on newborn baby? Redness and skin cracking on their bodies?

Dandruff on newborn baby? Redness and skin cracking on their bodies?

Before the babies come to this world, they were actually living in a very moist environment - Placenta. Since they are not used to this dry and hot environment, although they will try to adapt, we have to do something to keep their skin as moist as possible. 

Some people might think that it is common for newborn babies to have some dandruff. I do not deny that. However, treatment might be necessary when you realize that other parts of the body are affected as well. We suggest parents always avoid self-diagnosis and seek for professional advice when you realize there is something you are not sure about your babies’ symptoms.

Seborrheic Dermatitis:

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common skin condition that mainly affects scalp. However, it can also affect oily areas of the body, such as face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears and chest. The symptoms include:

• Dandruff
• Patches of greasy skin covered with flaky scales or crust (The scales are usually thinner compared to Psoriasis, and it can be easily removed)
• Red patches on skin
• Itchiness

In baby, the Seborrheic Dermatitis affects only the scalp is known as Cradle Cap. It is usually appeared as yellowish/ white (Usually white patches appeared on Asian), crusty or oily scaly patches on baby’s scalp。It isn’t painful or itchy. Besides, it doesn’t affect the baby’s health.

                                                           Yellowish/ White, crusty or oily scaly patches

Seborrheic Dermatitis isn’t caused by bacterial infection, allergic reaction or hygiene issues. It doesn’t pass from person to person. Based on what we know so far, it is likely to be caused by fungus infection and irregular response of immune system. The risk factors of getting Seborrheic Dermatitis include:

• Stress
• Family history of Seborrheic Dermatitis, especially first line relative.
• Cool and dry environment.
• Less moisturised skin, which leads to oily skin.

If you notice Cradle Cap on your baby, please do not worry, the Cradle Cap usually clears up on its own within few weeks to months with or without treatment. You may use baby shampoo and gently massage the affected area. However, professional advice and treatment might be necessary if other parts of the baby are affected. 

Story Sharing:

Good day, I am Bruce's father. Bruce is a baby who was born in August 2018. Same as other parents, my wife and I were very happy when Bruce was born. However, this happiness only last for few weeks before we started to worry about Bruce’s skin condition.

Around one month after Bruce was born, his skin started to become red and dry. We didn’t take any action at that time as we thought it was just mild skin allergy reaction. We accepted advice from the maternity lady and used Eucalyptus Oil on Bruce (although Eucalyptus Oil is safe for baby and it is commonly used to treat skin redness, insect bite & skin itchiness, but its use on Seborrheic Dermatitis is limited). We also tried to put him in the bathtub containing Honey Suckle (which is known to have anti-inflammatory effect). Although Bruce’s situation improved after the use of these solutions, it came back after a short period of time with the symptoms worsen. Also, the maternity lady only stayed with us for one month, we felt helpless after she left.

Bruce’s symptoms remain the same for about 2 months. Even though we brought him to a few doctors in the area we live, there was no improvement. We felt like the preparation given by the doctors made Bruce's skin condition worse. The doctors suggested Aqueous Cream and Coconut Oil. Probably Bruce does allergic to the ingredient/s in the Aqueous Cream, every time we tried to apply the cream on him, he cried and he looked very painful. So we decided to use Coconut Oil alone. 
(85% of the content in Coconut Oil are fats, which can be used to seal the skin surface in order to prevent water loss. However, the symptom might be worsen if Coconut Oil is applied without a layer of moisturizing lotion before it.)

Around December 2018, we started to see broken skin on Bruce’s neck. Every time we apply cream on those areas, he cried as it was too painful for him. We have to know that he was only less than 4-month old at that time. 

When we were about to give up, my friend suggested me to come to the skin specialist pharmacy in Miri and seek for treatment. Although we have to travel a long distant from Brunei to Miri every 2 weeks for review and there are so many steps we have to follow to manage Bruce's condition, we think that all the hard work paid off and the result worth the effort. Now we are happy about Bruce’s condition.

About 2 weeks since the treatment started, Bruce wasn't crying when we tried put him in the bath and apply creams on him. Another weeks to month later, his skin returned to normal, he is having healthy skin right now and all the redness and broken skins are gone. Besides, he is now energetic and he grew a lot within this 2 months.

The traditional ways that many people think is useful might not suit all the people in the world, sometimes professional advice and treatment is necessary. 

Let me show you some of the photos regarding Bruce’s progression:
(Consent granted by Bruce’s parents to post the photos)