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Seborrhoeic dermatitis - Management
What should I advise?
- Reassure the parents that infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis is not a serious condition, does not usually trouble the infant, and will spontaneously resolve within weeks to a few months.
- Try simple measures. Suggested methods include:
- Regular washing of the scalp with a baby shampoo, followed by gentle brushing with a soft brush to loosen scales and improve the condition.
- Softening the scales with baby oil first, followed by gentle brushing, then washing off with baby shampoo.
- Soaking the crusts overnight with white petroleum jelly or a slightly warmed vegetable or olive oil, and shampooing in the morning.
- If these methods do not achieve softening, a greasy emollient or soap substitute, such as emulsifying ointment, can be used, which helps to remove the scales more easily.
Basis for recommendation
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