Your newborn baby is adorable and perfectly healthy. But after a few weeks, you notice some scaly white and yellow patches on the top of your child’s head. Should you call the doctor?
Not to worry. These flaky, sometimes greasy scales mean your baby has cradle cap, a common condition in infants — similar to dandruff in adults. And while cradle cap doesn’t look pretty, it’s harmless and will eventually disappear on its own.
Of course, you may still want it gone as quickly as possible. Here’s how to get rid of cradle cap.
What Is Cradle Cap?
Cradle cap (medical name: seborrheic dermatitis) is a rash that usually occurs on the top of a baby’s head. You may also notice seborrheic dermatitis behind your baby’s ears, on the face, neck folds, armpits, or diaper area.
The condition usually develops between three weeks and two months and typically goes away between six and 12 months. Cradle cap is extremely common. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 70% of 3-month-old babies have cradle cap.
Cradle cap isn’t contagious. Although it looks irritating, it rarely causes your baby discomfort or even itchiness. It may feel flaky or greasy.
What Causes Cradle Cap?
Doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes cradle cap, but it’s not the result of poor hygiene, allergies, or an infection. There’s no way to prevent cradle cap from developing.
Possible causes include:
- Heredity — Babies with cradle cap may have relatives with eczema or asthma.
- Hormones from the mother’s body — These may remain in the baby’s body after birth. These hormones may cause oil glands to produce too much sebum (skin oil). The dead skin cells stick together in the sebum instead of sloughing off.
- Malassezia — a yeast that most people have on their skin. When the yeast combines with too much sebum, it forms cradle cap.
Cradle Cap Symptoms
A baby with cradle cap may have the following symptoms:
- Red, moist skin in various creases and folds. This often occurs behind the ears or in the skin folds of the neck.
- Scaly, flaky skin on the scalp. This is white or yellow and resembles fish scales.
- Yellowish, greasy, crusty patches on the scalp, surrounded by a red rash.
Cradle cap doesn’t:
- Cause pain or itching.
- Interfere with feeding.
- Interrupt your baby’s sleep.
Your doctor can tell if your baby has cradle cap by looking at it. They won’t need to run any tests.
How to Treat Cradle Cap
You don’t need to treat cradle cap. The condition will go away on its own in a few weeks or months. However, many parents find the flaky scales unpleasant and prefer to speed things along.
Here are some do’s and don’ts for cradle cap treatment at home.
Do:
- Shampoo frequently — Washing your baby’s hair every other day can help reduce cradle cap. You can use a soft baby brush to loosen and remove scales without harsh scrubbing. Caveat: If your baby has eczema, a rash, or another skin condition, ask your doctor how frequently you should bathe them.
- Soften the scales — Apply a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly (never food-based oils) to soften the scaly areas. Leave it on the scalp for a few minutes before you shampoo, and gently massage it in.
- Stick to fragrance-free products — Start with a mild baby shampoo. If it doesn’t seem to reduce cradle cap patches, ask your doctor for recommendations for specially formulated shampoos.
Don’t:
- Pick at the cradle cap patches or scratch off the scales with your fingernails. Doing so could lead to raw skin that’s open to infection.
- Use dandruff shampoos or any other product meant for adults. They’re too harsh for the baby’s skin.
- Use over-the-counter (OTC) medicated shampoos, even with products meant for children. Always check with your doctor first.
- Worry if some of your baby’s hair comes off. It’s normal for some hair to fall out with the scales. It will grow back.
If the above tips don’t help remove the cradle cap, your pediatrician may prescribe a mild cream or antifungal shampoo.
Conditions You May Mistake for Cradle Cap
If you aren’t sure whether your baby has cradle cap, ask your doctor. Other skin conditions with similar symptoms are also common in infants. They include:
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema) looks similar to cradle cap. However, eczema produces moderate to severe itching that often interferes with a baby’s sleeping and eating habits. Scales tend to form on the baby’s cheeks, scalp, and near joints.
- Diaper rash causes redness and irritation in the skin folds of the diaper area.
- Impetigo is a bacterial infection, usually around the mouth and nose. It looks like red, itchy sores that blister, forming a yellowish crust. It usually happens after a child has had a cut or scratch that gets infected.
- Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition more common in older children than babies. It sometimes looks like cradle cap, with red rashes and scaly patches.
- Ringworm is a contagious rash caused not by worms but by a fungal hair and scalp infection. It causes scaly, itchy patches on the head.
When Should You See the Doctor for Cradle Cap?
Most cases of cradle cap will clear up on their own or with the home treatments above. But you should call your doctor if you notice:
- Crusty, weepy areas, or pus-filled bumps.
- Oozing or bleeding from the scaly areas.
- Persistent cradle cap after your baby’s first birthday.
- A rash elsewhere on the body, especially if it looks red and inflamed.
- A rash that has an odor.
- Any sign of infection, especially in the diaper area or other skin folds. Signs of infection include skin that looks red, drains fluid, or feels warm to the touch.
- Signs of pain or discomfort in your baby.
- Swollen skin near the scaly areas.