What is this medication for?
Topical olive oil is used to soften and remove flaky, scaly patches on the scalp. It helps with conditions like cradle cap in babies (where the scalp gets flaky) and scalp psoriasis (where thick, scaly patches form due to an overactive immune system). Olive oil softens these flakes and makes it easier to wash away.
Olive oil is also used to treat dry scalp by sealing in moisture, to prevent further dryness of the scalp.
How should I take or use this medication?
Cradle cap or scalp psoriasis
1. Gently massage a small amount of olive oil onto the scalp.
2. For scalp psoriasis, your doctor may recommend mixing some Cocois ointment with olive oil
before applying to your scalp.
3. Leave the olive oil on your scalp for the duration your healthcare professional recommends.
4. Gently remove the flakes with a soft brush or towel.
5. Wash hair as usual to remove olive oil with a shampoo.
Dry scalp
1. Wash hair as usual with shampoo.
2. Apply olive oil to scalp and leave on.
What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?
As olive oil is used when needed to soften the flakes on the scalp, or moisturize your scalp, it is not necessary to apply it on a fixed schedule. Please check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure.
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You or your baby is allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You or your baby’s scalp is not getting better but flakes appear to be spreading to other areas of the body (e.g. the face)
- The skin under the flakes becomes infected or inflamed
If you have any question about this medication, please discuss with your healthcare professional.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
Topical olive oil is usually well-tolerated. Common side effects may include mild redness or irritation of the skin where the oil is applied.
If the side effects do not go away, become bothersome or worse, stop the use of this medication and consult your healthcare professional.
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:
They are available in English, 中文, Melayu and தமிழ்: Drug Allergies
How should I store this medication?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
How do I throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
Disclaimer
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side-effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (NHG Health, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore