Cradle Cap and Wheat Intolerance: Infancy Conditions

Infancy and childhood presents many conditions such as allergies. Two common conditions that babies suffer from is Cradle Cap and Wheat Intolerance. Both cradle cap and wheat intolerance in babies is controllable and there is no reason for the parents to become anxious.

Cradle cap in infants is not uncommon. Cradle cap appears on the scalp of the baby and is an oily, crusty yellowish flaky skin. It is believed that cradle cap results due to an excess of mate
al hormones in the baby. With the excess of hormones an increase in the production of sebum occurs. Sebum is responsible for trapping flaking skin on the scalp instead of allowing the skin to shed as it normally would. Parents can let the condition clear up by itself, however, few choose to, as the condition is not attractive, and many parents feel that it is a reflection of them not properly caring for the baby.

When new parents bring their child home from the hospital, they are sent home with a care package. In the car package is a baby hairbrush. This hairbrush is designed for not only gently brushing the baby's hair, but is used as a tool during bath time to wash the head and scalp of the baby and to prevent and eliminate cradle cap. These brushes can also be purchased in stores that sell baby items.

There are several ways to try to remove cradle cap. However, you must remember that babies must be treated with tender loving care, and nothing done should be upsetting to the child. One of the best methods to get rid of cradle cap is to take a warm flannel and use it while giving the child a bath. Gently rub the area of the scalp that has the cradle cap. It is important to be gentle and not to force down on the babies scalp especially the baby's soft spot.

Another method is to rub the babies scalp with olive oil or an approved baby oil and leave the oil on the babies scalp ove
ight. In the morning rinse the babies scalp and gently rub with a warm flannel to help get rid of the cradle cap.

Once you begin to take measures to get rid of the cradle cap, you will find that within a week there is a difference and the condition will continue to improve. Cradle cap is not pretty. However, cradle cap is common especially among children in infancy. For new parents, it is often an embarrassment, but, it is an embarrassment that something can be done about to eliminate the condition.

Wheat intolerance is a non-allergic negative reaction to eating wheat. In wheat intolerant babies, the negative reaction may not show until several hours to days after consumption of wheat. The baby may cry and squirm due to the negative reaction of wheat causing bloating, headaches and joint pain. For wheat intolerant babies, their physician will speak with the mother on how to manage the condition.