Arp is a dandruff-like condition that many babies have on their scalp. Fortunately, caring for your baby’s scalp and becoming scar-free is both easy and enjoyable. And most importantly, it can be done without a lot of harsh chemicals.

Many babies get scars in the first few months and in some children it is a recurring phenomenon. Arp is a buildup of dead skin cells on the scalp which is quite harmless but can cause mild itching. Many parents also want to treat the itching as the yellow-brown scales can make the baby see the dirt on the scalp – especially if the child does not have much hair yet. Although arp usually subsides on its own over time, it is a really good idea to get the process started and avoid any potential disruption.

How to treat arp

Although young babies do not need to be bathed every day, many parents and their children enjoy an evening bath as part of the pampering routine. The evening bath (or any bath) is an excellent opportunity to treat arp and it can actually be a really relaxing time.

Tip: Remember to have everything ready before you start bathing. As you know, babies cannot be alone in the bath, so a little preparation is essential for a stress-free and enjoyable treatment.

1. Wet or wash baby’s hair and scalp. The first step is to soften the scales a little.
2. Apply a little oil or a gentle shampoo/conditioner to baby’s scalp without rinsing.
3. Use a comb or brush to gently comb baby’s scalp. Move in different directions and in gentle circles. The goal is to slough off dead skin cells from the skin – not to tear or irritate the living skin. Be gentle and work the surface without applying strong pressure. If you use a comb, it is beneficial to lay it sideways so that you are almost combing with the side of the comb’s teeth.
4. Dry baby’s scalp thoroughly with the towel and make sure the scalp gets air. A constantly wet scalp will only lead to more scarring, so hold off on the hat if you can. Consider using a hair dryer on the coolest setting to speed up drying.

Tip: Instead of taking a bath, you can easily treat the scalp while the baby is sitting in a recliner or lying on a play mat. Place a towel under your head to prevent the chair or carpet from getting greasy or stained.

You will need the following:

You can use cooking oil or a baby-friendly shampoo or conditioner to soften the hair. If you use a cooking oil, make sure it is washed off properly. Also, a good comb or plastic brush is essential when loosening the arp. The most important thing is that the bristles or the teeth of the comb are not so rounded that they cannot grip.

Intensive treatment of arp

If the baby is severely affected and you want to speed up the treatment, it can be a really good idea to leave a little oil or conditioner on the baby’s scalp overnight or for a few hours. It will help soften the scales. In the morning (or when you have waited as long as you want) you can comb the scalp following the same instructions as above.

Remember that if you are in any doubt about the correct treatment for your child, you should always ask your doctor for advice.

Good luck with the treatment!