The treatment commonly advised to cure cradle cap seems to be contradictory. For example, one common suggestion made by dermatologists is to apply oil, vegetable or mineral, liberally to the scalp and allow it to soak in overnight or for lesser periods of time. But this suggestion seems to conflict with the fact that Malassezia yeasts thrive in oily environments.
It is also suggested that the softened scales should be brushed away with a soft brush, toothbrush, comb or cloth. This is again risky; this can worsen the condition and bring about temporary hair loss if it is not done very gently. Another popular treatment is applying petroleum jelly e.g., Vaseline liberally overnight. Then the softened scales may fall off during the night, or can be brushed off in the morning.
cradle cap can also be cured by making a paste from sodium bicarbonate otherwise known as baking soda and applying it on the affected area for 10 minutes or so. However, it is the use of shampoo that is the most widely recommended treatment for the skin disease. It is suggested very often that use of mild shampoo can help lift the scales.
But this again is not without any disagreement. Some sources are against its frequent use while others recommend it. Though mild baby shampoo is often recommended for treating cradle cap, it is never specified what actually meant by "mild". Baby shampoos often contain detergent surfactants, perfumes, quaternium-15 and other eczemagenic irritants: all these are not congenial for the skin condition.
Giving injection of biotin either to the baby or to the breastfeeding mother has also found to clear cradle cap swiftly and completely. Research also shows that injection of B-complex worked well on the skin condition. In this case, injection directly into the vein rather than into the muscle is suggested. Even easy solutions like massaging the scalp with small amounts of borage oil twice a day has also been found effective in treating cradle cap.