[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/how-to-treat-cradle-cap\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/how-to-treat-cradle-cap\/","headline":"How to Treat Cradle Cap","name":"How to Treat Cradle Cap","description":"

Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition in babies. You can wait for the flaky, crusty scales to go away on their own, or treat cradle cap at home. Here's how.<\/p>","datePublished":"2024-09-30","dateModified":"2024-09-24","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","name":"Pediatrics","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/pediatrics\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GettyImages-499741126-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GettyImages-499741126-1.jpg","height":867,"width":1999},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/how-to-treat-cradle-cap\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Pediatrics"],"wordCount":1028,"articleBody":"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\u2019s 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 \u2014 similar to dandruff in adults. And while cradle cap doesn\u2019t look pretty, it\u2019s harmless and will eventually disappear on its own.Of course, you may still want it gone as quickly as possible. Here\u2019s 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\u2019s head. You may also notice seborrheic dermatitis behind your baby\u2019s 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\u2019t 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\u2019t exactly sure what causes cradle cap, but it’s not the result of\u00a0poor hygiene,\u00a0allergies, or an infection. There’s no way to prevent cradle cap from developing.Possible causes include:Heredity \u2014 Babies with cradle cap may have relatives with eczema or asthma.Hormones from the mother\u2019s body \u2014 These may remain in the baby\u2019s 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 \u2014 a yeast that most people have on their skin. When the yeast combines with too much sebum, it forms cradle cap.Cradle Cap SymptomsA 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\u2019s sleep.Your doctor can tell if your baby has cradle cap by looking at it. They won\u2019t need to run any tests.How to Treat Cradle CapYou don\u2019t 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 \u2014 Washing your baby\u2019s hair every other day can help reduce cradle cap. \u00a0You 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 \u2014 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\u00a0\u2014 Start with a mild baby shampoo. If it doesn\u2019t seem to reduce cradle cap patches, ask your doctor for recommendations for specially formulated shampoos.Don\u2019t:Pick at the cradle cap patches or scratch off the scales with your fingernails. Doing so could lead to raw skin that\u2019s open to infection.Use dandruff shampoos or any other product meant for adults. They’re too harsh for the baby\u2019s 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\u2019s hair comes off. It\u2019s normal for some hair to fall out with the scales. It will grow back.If the above tips don\u2019t help remove the cradle cap, your pediatrician may prescribe a mild cream or antifungal shampoo.Conditions You May Mistake for Cradle CapIf you aren\u2019t 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\u2019s sleeping and eating habits. Scales tend to form on the baby\u2019s 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\u00a0is\u00a0a contagious rash caused not by worms\u00a0but by a\u00a0fungal\u00a0hair 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\u2019s 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.SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association. How to Treat Cradle Cap. LinkStatPearls. Cradle Cap. LinkNemours KidsHeath. Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis) in Infants. LinkAmerican Academy of Pediatrics. What Is Cradle Cap? 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