Dry, flaking skin on eyelids of 3 month old

Anonymous
I don't know if this is cradle cap related, but my newborn has very dry skin on her eyelids. It actually flakes off and can get into her eyes at times. She also has some dry patches in her ears, behind her ears, and on her scalp (cradle cap I think). My firstborn didn't have this issue, and California Baby Sensitive lotion isn't working.

We have her 4 month check up soon so I'll ask about this, but anyone have this issue? What helped? TIA
Anonymous
I think it's cradle cap (called dandruff for us adults). The reason I think so is because I have this same problem in the same places. So much fun! I bet your doc says to wash her with a dandruff shampoo 2-3 times a week. I wash my scalp, face, neck and ears with Nizoral shampoo twice a week but I bet that's too strong for a baby. That's really the best stuff for dandruff beyond the scalp. Maybe Selson Blue would be fine.
Anonymous
Please don't put any dandruff shampoo anywhere near the baby's eyes. That would burn like holy hell if any got in there.

Put aquafore on the dry patches for a few days and during her bath gently wipe her eyelids. But very gentle though because the skin around the eyes is super sensitive.

I actually got rid of my baby's cradle cap with just aquafore. I applied it to his scalp and put an infant hat on him and left it for an hour (be prepared to throw the hat away because it'll ruin it). Then I took a comb and brushed out the flakes. It didn't come back.
Anonymous
Another thought is that it may be some very mild excema. Especially if it's slower to the eye brows and behind the ears. The aquafore will help that as well.
Anonymous
Another vote for cradle cap. My son had this. While his cradle cap wasn't horrible, it was very persistent, and over the weeks it "traveled" down his body, to include places like his eyelids, behind and even in his ears, and some on his ankles of all places. He grew out of it (can't remember when). We used olive oil on his head and let it sit a few minutes, then gently massaged off with a damp washcloth. Nothing for what was on his body as it wasn't bothering him; it just looked bad.

He did develop mild eczema at about 7 months, so I don't know if all the little skin issues are somehow related. He's outgrown that now too, though.
Anonymous
Thanks everyone. The Aquafor was too strong and made her eyes red. I will maybe try plain vaseline or will call my doctor to see. I don't want to drag her in just for this, because it isn't bothering her, but I'll ask at her next check up in a few weeks.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. The Aquafor was too strong and made her eyes red. I will maybe try plain vaseline or will call my doctor to see. I don't want to drag her in just for this, because it isn't bothering her, but I'll ask at her next check up in a few weeks.


That stinks...sorry to hear that! I wouldn't try vaseline if the Aquafor was too strong. Aquafor is like "vaseline light".
Anonymous
hmm. we had bad cradle cap (or cradle crap as I called it) and used aquaphor and the mildest hydrocortisone, but I wouldn't mess with that around the eyes. fwiw, it doesn't look good, but usually is just cosmetic and doesn't bother babies like eczema does. we did get a cradle cap lotion from Mustela that helped too and was pretty gentle.
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