Seborrheic dermatitis (buffalo poop on a newborn's head): What you need to know

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi My Linh - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Baby buffalo or seborrheic dermatitis is most common in 3-month-old babies, but it can last up to a year or longer. Most cases of buffalo pox go away by the time a child is 1 year old, but some cases persist until the child is 4 years old. Seborrheic dermatitis in babies is a harmless condition. Parents can help their children get out of this situation with a few simple steps.

Currently, doctors do not know the exact cause of buffalo dung on babies' heads or plaques on babies' scalps. They think the rough patches appear when the oil glands on the baby's scalp overproduce. This could be due to maternal hormone influences left over from when the baby was in your womb.
Rarely, buffalo pox on a newborn's head is due to a weakened immune system, but the baby will have additional symptoms.

Your baby's skin may be oily, with white, yellow, or darker scaly patches on the scalp. The color of buffalo poop depends on the color of the baby's skin. Over time, these scabs can come off.
Sometimes the baby's scalp is red with no scabs or flaking. Looking at buffalo shit on a newborn's head, many people think that it causes itching for babies, but in fact this does not happen. In rare cases, children may experience hair loss at the site of buffalo poop. The hair will grow back after the buffalo shit disappears.
Infantile buffalo pox or seborrheic dermatitis can also appear on other parts of the body besides the scalp. Common places are: on the face, behind the ears, diaper area, armpits.

When your baby has buffalo pox, you will be able to treat your baby at home by:
Wash your baby's hair clean Keeping the scalp clean can help solve this problem, as washing your baby's hair will wash away excess oil from the baby's scalp. . Use baby shampoo or buffalo dung shampoo. You should not use anti-dandruff shampoo on your child unless your doctor recommends it. Not all shampoo products are safe for babies.
Consult your pediatrician how often to wash your baby's hair. You can wash your baby's hair every day instead of every few days. However, repeated washing can dry out the scalp and make the condition worse. Shampooing is quite safe, just be careful not to get soap in your baby's eyes.
Brush your baby's hair After washing your baby's hair and scalp, you can gently brush your baby's hair with a soft infant comb. At this point, the scales are no longer attached to the scalp, so they are easier to peel off. You can choose to buy specialized combs for combing buffalo dung on babies' heads. If not, you can also use a new toothbrush and gently brush your baby.
Apply oil Please consult your doctor when you want to apply a little vaseline, baby massage oil, olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba or almond oil, paraffin oil on the scalp and leave it for a few hours. buffalo loose, then wash with diluted lemon juice. Doing so 3-5 times the layer of buffalo dung will gradually thin out. Some parents do this and the baby's baby's buffalo poop improves markedly. Applying oil both makes buffalo dung not stick to the scalp and nourishes the skin at the affected site. Whatever oil you use, test a small amount on your baby's scalp before applying it to see if there's any irritation.
Do
Apply a thin layer of oil to the scalp Gently massage the oil for about 1 minute If your child still has fontanels on his head, use caution when applying the oil in this area Let the oil soak for about 15 minutes Wash off the oil with gentle baby shampoo You can use this method once a day. As long as your child is not allergic to the oil, this is a safe method for her.
Topical In case your baby has severe dermatitis, the doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream, a cream containing hydrocortisone or zinc. When applying this treatment, you should not use it on your own, but need a doctor's prescription.
Try essential oils Consult your doctor before using any essential oils on your baby. Using antibacterial essential oils can help fight buffalo shit caused by yeast, and anti-inflammatory essential oils can soothe the scalp. When choosing essential oils, you can choose lemon or geranium essential oils. Some people suggest tea tree oil, but it may not be safe for babies and should be avoided in babies under 6 months of age. Do:
Dilute 2 drops of essential oil with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil (oil used to make essential oils, eg coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil) Apply essential oil to the affected area. Leave on for a few minutes. Brush to loosen the poop on the baby's head. Wash off all oil with shampoo. If it has become a complication of impetigo, it is necessary to see a specialist doctor for appropriate treatment instructions.

The condition of buffalo poop on the baby's head is usually not dangerous, but if the baby's scalp is very red, infected, irritated or has spread to the face and body, you should take your baby to the doctor.
Sometimes seborrheic dermatitis resembles infant eczema, but it's easy for your doctor to tell the difference between the two. Eczema in babies is often itchy, but buffalo poop is not. If you are worried about your child's condition, take your child to the doctor for proper advice and a more effective way to treat baby buffalo.
Note:
Do not try to scrub with your hands vigorously to remove "buffalo poop" on the baby's head. Absolutely do not arbitrarily apply medicine to the baby, because if the child has "buffalo dung" accompanied by atopic dermatitis or has a strep or staphylococcal superinfection, it is imperative to take the baby to the doctor.

It is necessary to keep the baby's scalp clean and dry. Wash your hair daily with baby shampoo to remove sebum and dead cells, you can brush your hair with a soft brush On warm days, don't wear a hat for your baby because it can cause gas and moisture on the scalp. Wear soft cotton hats for your baby. Proper and adequate care for babies not only begins after birth, but parents need to prepare all aspects from the prenatal period, especially in terms of knowledge and psychology.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : consists of leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.