Description

Cradle cap causes crusty or oily scaly patches on the scalp of the baby. The condition is not painful or itchy. But it can cause thick white or yellow scales that aren't easy to remove.

Cradle cap usually resolves spontaneously within weeks or a few months. Home care measures include washing your baby's scalp daily with a mild shampoo. This can help to loosen and remove the scales. Don't scratch cradle cap.

If the cradle cap is not stopped or seems severe, your baby's doctor or other health care professional may suggest a medicated shampoo, lotion or any other treatment.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of cradle cap include:

  • Patches of scaling or thick crusts on the scalp.
  • Fat or dryness of the skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales.
  • Scales of the skin.
  • Mild inflammation.

Similar scales can also be present in the ears, eyelids, nose, and groin.

Cradle cap is common in newborns. Usually not spicy.

Cradle cap is the common term for seborrheic dermatitis in children. It is sometimes confused with other skin conditions, atopic dermatitis. An important difference between these conditions is that atopic dermatitis may be very spicy.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor or other health care professional if you:

  • Have you tried the treatment of cradle cap at home with success.
  • The patches spread to your baby's face or body.

Causes

The cause of cradle cap is not known. One factor may be hormones that pass from the mother to the baby before birth. These hormones can cause the sebaceous glands and the hair follicles to make the excess oil. This oil is called sebum.

Another factor that may be a fungus known as malassezia (mal-uh-SEE-zhuh) that grows in the sebum along with bacteria. Antifungal treatments often help control the symptoms. This supports the idea that the malassezia is a cause. An example of a treatment antifungal ketoconazole is.

Cradle cap is not contagious and is not caused by lack of hygiene.

Risk factors

Cradle cap is very common in babies. There are No known risk factors.

Prevention

Wash the baby's hair every few days may help prevent cradle cap. The use of a baby shampoo, unless your doctor or other health care professional suggests a stronger product.

Diagnosis

A health professional can diagnose the cradle cap looking at the baby's scalp.

Treatment

Cradle cap may not need medical treatment, as it often disappears if the use of home-based care tips below. If these home care tips don't work, talk with your baby's doctor about products that might help, such as a low-potency hydrocortisone cream or a shampoo with 2% antifungal ketoconazole medicine. Make sure that the shampoo does not get in eyes of your baby, because it can hurt.

If you want to test the type of cortisone, or antifungal creams that you can buy at the drugstore without a prescription, talk with your baby's doctor or other health professional in the first place. Some of these products may be too harsh for a baby's skin. Dandruff shampoos containing salicylic acid are not recommended for use in babies, either because the active ingredient can be absorbed through the skin.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The following home care tips can help you manage the symptoms of cradle cap:

  • Gently rub your baby's scalp with the fingers or with a cloth to loosen the scales. Do not scratch.
  • Wash your baby's hair once a day with baby shampoo. Loosen the scales with a small, soft-bristled brush or a fine-tooth comb before rinsing off the shampoo.
  • If the balance does not loosen easily, rub petroleum jelly or a couple of drops of mineral oil on your baby's scalp. Soak in the scale of a few minutes or hours, if necessary. Then, brush and shampoo hair as usual. Be sure to rinse well. If left in the oil, the cradle cap can make them worse.
  • When the scales are gone, wash the baby's hair two or three times a week with a mild shampoo to avoid build-up of tartar.

Preparing for your appointment

What you can do

If your baby's cradle cap does not improve with home care measures, or starts to spread, making an appointment to receive medical attention. Your baby's doctor or other healthcare professional want to know:

  • The time that your baby has had cradle cap.
  • What have you done to treat it.
  • How often you shampoo your baby's hair.
  • What are the products that I have tried.
Symptoms and treatment of cradle cap