Cradle cap is the name given to the yellowish, greasy scaly patches that appear on the scalp of young babies. It is a very common, harmless condition that does not usually itch or cause any discomfort to the baby.
Cradle cap is the name given to the yellowish, greasy scaly patches that appear on the scalp of young babies. It is a very common, harmless condition that does not usually itch or cause any discomfort to the baby.
Cradle cap usually begins in babies shortly after birth. Usually during their first three months and tends to last a few weeks or even months. It usually clears up by the time the child is two years old, although in rare cases children can have cradle cap for a lot longer.
The cause of cradle cap is not clear, although it may be linked to overactive sebaceous glands, which are glands in the skin that produce an oily substance called sebum.
Cradle cap requires no specific treatment, although gently washing the baby's hair and scalp may prevent a build-up of the scale.
Does my baby have cradle cap?
If your baby's scalp has flaky, dry skin that looks like dandruff, or thick, oily, yellowish or brown scaling or crusting patches, it probably is cradle cap.
Cradle cap is totally harmless. You might also notice the same condition around your baby's ears or eyebrows, on their eyelids, or even in his armpits and other creases.
What causes cradle cap?
The cause is unknown. But we do know that cradle cap is not caused by poor hygiene or allergies.
Some experts believe that the hormones a baby receives from his mother at the end of pregnancy overstimulate the baby's oil-producing (seborrheic) glands, resulting in cradle cap. Irritation from a yeast that grows in the sebum (the substance produced by the glands) is also thought to be a possible cause. But there's no consensus on the cause.
Cradle cap isn't contagious. And it probably doesn't bother your baby at all, although if it gets severe it might itch.
How should I treat my baby's cradle cap?
- You don't really need to do anything, but if it bothers you, here are some things to try:
- Gently massage your baby's scalp with your fingers or a soft brush to loosen the scales.
- Shampoo more frequently (up to once a day), but be sure to rinse out all the soap or shampoo. After shampooing, gently brush your baby's scalp with a soft brush or a terrycloth towel.
- Some parents have had success using baby shampoos developed especially for cradle cap.
Can I use natural oils to treat my baby's cradle cap?
- If your baby has a stubborn case of cradle cap, an oil remedy might help to loosen dry flakes:
- Rub a small amount of a pure, natural oil – such as coconut oil – on your baby's scalp and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
- Gently comb out the flakes with a fine-tooth comb or brush them out with a soft brush.
- Wash your baby's scalp with a gentle baby shampoo. Be careful not to leave oil on your baby's head, which could clog the pores and cause the flakes to stick. Try leaving the shampoo on for a few minutes before rinsing, to help cut the oil.
Should I take my baby to the doctor if he has cradle cap?
Talk with your baby's doctor if the cradle cap is severe, if there is any bleeding, or if it spreads beyond your baby's scalp.
Written by Laura Doyle staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.lovelifeandlittleones.com.
