Natural health: Cradle cap and swollen feet

My baby daughter has cradle cap. It’s quite thick and unsightly. I have been told this because she has very little hair on her head. Is there any natural treatment that would help?

Cradle cap is very common in little ones during the first year but generally doesn’t cause any concern or pain for the infant.

It is also known as seborrheic dermatitis, and is considered to be one of the eczema-related skin conditions. In some cases it is not only on the scalp, but also appears around the eyes and ears.

While it is not known exactly why some babies suffer more from this condition than others, it is unlikely that hair (or lack of it) is the cause.

Eliminating allergens from the diet often helps greatly to diminish or even clear this condition.

The most common food triggers are cow’s milk and other dairy products, wheat and other gluten-containing grains, and eggs.

This doesn’t mean that your child will need to avoid these foods for life, just steer clear within the first year.

Biotin, one of the B vitamins, is often lacking where cradle cap is concerned.

If you are still breastfeeding then you can take 10mg of biotin daily so that it can be delivered via your milk.

You should also avoid the potential allergens I mentioned earlier while breastfeeding your daughter, to determine whether or not these are triggering the cradle cap.

If your daughter is no longer nursing then you will need to find a form of biotin that she can take, and make sure that she gets 6mg daily.

Essential fatty acids are another consideration. A deficiency in these important fats is often an underlying issue.

You don’t necessarily need to get them into your daughter’s diet — they can be applied directly to the affected area to be of help.

Use evening primrose or starflower (borage) oil, and apply to her scalp twice daily for up to a month.

Again, if you are breastfeeding, then it is a good idea to take essential fatty acids — 2,000mg of evening primrose oil daily should do the trick.

Finally, take a look at any shower/bath products that you use for your daughter. Shampoo, body wash, soaps, and even toothpastes can all play a part in skin conditions.

Choose products that are as natural as possible, preferably without scent — even essential oils are over-used in many natural products.

I am 32 weeks pregnant and my feet and ankles have become very swollen. My midwife has told me that this is normal and it is not swollen enough to be of concern at this stage, and to rest up my legs when I can. Is there anything else that I should be doing?

Your midwife is quite right — swelling is very common during pregnancy, especially in the later stages.

Resting up your legs (make sure that your feet are hip level) for at least 15 minutes daily is important, and you can wiggle your feet back and forth to keep things flowing while you rest.

Watch your salt and sodium intake — this will increase your body’s tendency to retain water and swell up. Foods rich in potassium are a good idea — fresh fruit (especially bananas), dried fruits, unsalted nuts and seeds, green vegetables, seafood, and potatoes are all good dietary sources.

Taking vitamin C daily is a great idea, not only for helping to improve the flow of fluids and lymph, but also to prepare your tissues for post-partum healing. You will want to take between 1,000-3,000mg daily.

It can be very difficult to find the time to nurture yourself and take a break if you are pregnant and have other little ones at home.

Reach out to family and friends for help, as relief from being on your feet will make all the difference right now.

NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.