What is Cradle Cap in Babies? How to Clean Cradle Cap in Babies?

Cradle cap is a common, harmless skin condition that causes yellow flakes and redness on your baby’s scalp. It usually begins and goes away before your baby’s first birthday. Cradle cap doesn’t require treatment and usually resolves on its own within a few months. Simple home care (like gently shampooing your baby’s scalp) can help speed things along.

What is Cradle Cap in Babies?

Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition that causes yellow or white, scaly patches on your baby’s scalp. The patches are greasy or flaky and may be surrounded by a rash. Ensure your baby is not in any danger or discomfort. Cradle cap has no negative effects on your baby’s health and doesn’t affect their ability to eat or sleep. It doesn’t cause your baby any itching or pain and usually resolves within a few weeks or months.

Cradle cap is very common in infants and affects most babies at some point. Cradle cap usually begins within three months of birth, with almost all cases occurring within the first year of a baby’s life. Because cradle cap usually begins early in a baby’s life, it typically disappears by their first birthday. In rare cases, some babies develop cradle cap by age one or two.

Most cases of cradle cap in babies are mild. Your baby likely won’t need any treatment and will clear up on its own. If you have any concerns or questions, you can talk to your pediatrician about your baby’s condition. Alternatively, you can give your baby gentle care at home to help shed the scaly skin a little sooner.

Cradle Cap and Seborrheic Dermatitis in Babies

Seborrheic dermatitis is the medical term for itchy, red patches and oily flakes (in adults, it’s called “dandruff”) that can affect you at any age. Cradle cap in babies is a type of seborrheic dermatitis that’s limited to your baby’s scalp and appears soon after birth. You might hear people call it neonatal seborrheic dermatitis.

Some babies develop seborrheic dermatitis in areas other than the scalp (such as the face or bottom). If this occurs, your pediatrician can offer additional guidance to help manage your baby’s condition.

Cradle Cap in Babies: Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of cradle cap in babies?

You’ll see patches of scaly skin on your baby’s scalp. The scales may feel brittle and flaky to the touch, or they may feel waxy and oily. This scaly skin doesn’t cause your baby any pain or discomfort. Most babies don’t even notice it.

What does cradle cap look like in babies?

When you look at your baby’s scalp, you’ll see patches of yellow or white scales that resemble fish scales. These scales stick to your baby’s head and:

• It may appear crusty.
• Peelable.
• It may be surrounded by a red or pink rash (if your baby has a light skin tone).
• It may be surrounded by a rash that is lighter or darker than your baby’s normal skin color (if your baby has a darker skin color).

Where else might cradle cap appear in babies?

Cradle cap in babies refers only to a scaly rash on a baby’s scalp. However, some babies develop seborrheic dermatitis that extends beyond their scalp, including parts of their face. If this occurs, you may see the rash on:

• On your baby’s forehead.
• On your eyebrows.
• In the folds of the neck or arms.
• Behind your ears.
• On their buttocks (diaper rash).

If you notice these symptoms, tell your pediatrician. They will check your baby and see if he or she needs special moisturizers or medicated creams.

Is cradle cap contagious in babies?

Cradle cap in babies isn’t contagious. You don’t need to worry about your baby spreading the rash to others. You can send your baby to daycare or let them play with other babies.

What causes cradle cap in babies?

Researchers don’t fully understand why cradle cap develops in infants. They believe it’s likely due to a combination of factors.

For example, the glands in your baby’s scalp may produce too much oil (likely due to hormones passed from the birthing mother to the baby through breast milk). This causes skin cells normally shed from your baby’s scalp to stick to the scalp. A certain yeast (Malassezia) that naturally lives on your baby’s skin may also play a role, but researchers aren’t sure exactly how.

Even if it’s harmless, not knowing the cause of a condition in your baby can be frustrating. But researchers know it’s not your fault, and it’s not your fault. Many babies experience cradle cap, and it doesn’t affect their life or health (after all, babies spend most of their early life sleeping!).

Cradle Cap Diagnosis and Tests in Infants

How is cradle cap diagnosed in infants?

Your healthcare provider can diagnose your baby’s cradle cap simply by looking at your baby’s scalp. The rash and scales, along with their location on your baby’s head, are easy clues to identifying the condition. Your baby doesn’t need any lab tests or biopsies.

Cradle Cap in Babies | Treatment

Home care tips for cradle cap in babies.

Moisturizing and cleansing your baby’s scalp can help clear up cradle cap in babies. You can use a soft brush to gently loosen the flakes, but don’t pick the cradle cap off with your fingers.

What is the treatment for cradle cap in babies?

If your baby only has cradle cap and no rash elsewhere on their body, they probably don’t need medical treatment. Cradle cap in babies should go away on its own within a few months.

But as a parent, it’s common to want to fix the problem quickly and completely. So, you might be wondering if you can treat cradle cap on babies at home. Yes, you can definitely do some things to care for your baby’s scalp and potentially get rid of those stubborn flakes.

Here are some suggestions that can help you get rid of cradle cap in babies:

• Soften the skin.Before washing your baby’s scalp, apply an emollient cream or oil to the skin. Good options for soothing chapped skin include baby-safe oils and Mumsy Natural Nipple Cream, which you may have previously purchased for sore nipples. Avoid olive oil, which may be unhealthy for your baby’s skin, and peanut oil, if you have an allergy. Gently massage Mumsy Natural Nipple Cream into your baby’s scalp and leave it on for a few hours (or even overnight) before shampooing.
• Clean gently.Wash your baby’s scalp every other day with a mild Mumsy Natural Baby Shampoo. Gently massage the scalp using your fingertips or a soft cloth. Don’t rub your baby’s skin harshly or apply anything itchy (like your nails). You can use a soft brush to remove flakes.
• Don’t pick the flakes.You may be tempted to scratch or pick the flakes to remove them. But don’t! Picking at the flakes creates areas of raw skin and can increase your baby’s risk of skin infection.

Konak shampoo for babies

You might be wondering which shampoo to use for cradle cap in babies. For cradle cap in babies, we recommend using Mumsy Natural Baby Shampoo, a very gentle shampoo for babies’ scalp and delicate skin, to lather your baby’s scalp. Never use shampoos made for adults or designed to treat dandruff (these are not suitable for babies’ sensitive skin).

Cradle Cap in Babies | Prevention

Is there a way to prevent cradle cap in babies?

Unfortunately, researchers don’t know of a way to prevent cradle cap in babies. This is because they don’t fully understand what causes cradle cap in babies. But they do know it’s harmless and will pass quickly.

Course of cradle cap in infants

How long does cradle cap last in babies?

Cradle cap in infants usually resolves on its own (without treatment) within a few weeks or months. Self-care at home can help improve things.

If cradle cap doesn’t go away after a few months, call your pediatrician. They can check your baby’s scalp to see if there’s another skin condition that needs to be treated.

When should I seek medical attention for my baby’s cradle cap?

You should call your pediatrician if you notice one or more of the following problems:

• If your baby’s cradle cap does not improve after a few months despite regular and gentle care as described above,
• If your baby has a rash in areas other than the scalp,
• If the skin on your baby’s scalp feels warm to the touch. If fluid or blood is oozing from the crusty skin.
• The skin on your baby’s scalp smells bad,
• If the area with redness and scales looks swollen or very red,

These symptoms may mean for your baby:

She may benefit from prescription creams or shampoos.
She has seborrheic dermatitis that isn’t limited to her scalp. This may need treatment, such as a medicated cream.
She has another condition that requires treatment, such as atopic dermatitis or scabies.

A note from Mumsy Natural about cradle cap in babies

Parents tend to worry about every little thing when dealing with a newborn. So, if you see redness and flaking on your baby’s scalp, it’s normal to go into panic mode. You might be wondering, “What did I do wrong? What’s wrong with my baby’s skin?”

Put your worries aside. Nothing’s wrong, and your baby is fine. Cradle cap is common and harmless in babies. Most cases are mild and go away on their own. However, if your baby decides to stay a little longer, or if they develop a rash elsewhere, it’s still okay. Your healthcare provider can examine your baby’s skin and see if they need treatment. They’ll help you understand what’s going on and how to treat the condition.