Cradle cap or Seborrheic Dermatitis are crusty or oily scaly patches on a baby’s scalp. It can also be present on baby’s face, especially around the eyes and nose area, diaper area and in the folds of babies’ skin.

In mild cases, it typically goes away ON ITS OWN at ages 6 to 12 MONTHS.

In the mean time, here are some things you can do at home, based from the National Eczema Association:

Apply plain mineral oil or petroleum jelly to your baby’s scalp about an hour before bathing to loosen the scales.

Gently massage a mild shampoo into the scalp for a few minutes to remove the scales.

You can brush the scalp lightly with a soft brush to loosen the scales.

Rinse well and gently pat dry.

Take note that there are also certain situations where you need to bring your baby to seek medical attention:

When cradle cap is all over body

Crusts bleed or leak fluid

Effected area looks swollen- sign of infection

Helpful? SAVE this post for future reference and SHARE this post to help other parents too.

---

CRADLE CAP IN BABIES

What is it?

Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition, also known as Seborrheic Dermatitis.

It causes crusty or oily scaly patches on a baby’s scalp. It can also cause thick white or yellow scales that aren’t easy to remove.

Who gets it?

It is common, about 10% of babies have it.

Usually in infants aged 3 weeks to 12 months, peaks at 3 months old.

What causes it?

Cause is unknown. It could be due to hormones that are passed from the mother to the baby before birth. These hormones can cause too much production of oil (sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles.

Another factor may be a yeast (fungus) called Malassezia that grows in the sebum along with bacteria. Cradle cap isn’t contagious.

Is it the same as Eczema?

Cradle cap usually involves the scalp and also ears, eyelids, nose and groin.

It is NOT ITCHY unlike eczema and the baby appears well.

Will it go off?

Good news is that it usually clears up on its own within 6 to 12 MONTHS.