Cradle Cap

What is cradle cap?

Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition that causes yellow or white scaly patches on your baby’s scalp. The scales are greasy or flaky, and a rash may surround them. Rest assured that your baby isn’t in any danger or discomfort. Cradle cap has no negative effects on your baby’s health and doesn’t affect their eating or sleeping. It doesn’t cause itching or pain for your baby, and it usually clears up within a few weeks or months.

Cradle cap is very common and affects most babies at one point or another. Cradle cap usually starts within three months of birth, and nearly all cases appear during a baby’s first year of life. Because cradle cap usually starts early in an infant’s life, it typically goes away by their first birthday. A few babies develop cradle cap at 1 or 2 years of age.

Most cases of cradle cap are mild. Your baby likely won’t need any treatment, and the condition will go away on its own. You can talk to your pediatrician about your baby’s condition if you have any concerns or questions. And if you’d like, you can dote on your baby with some gentle at-home care to slough away the scaly skin a bit sooner.

Cradle cap vs. seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is the medical term for itchy red patches and greasy scales that can affect you at any age (in adults, you know it as “dandruff”). Cradle cap is a form of seborrheic dermatitis that’s limited to your baby’s scalp and occurs soon after birth. You might hear people call it infantile seborrheic dermatitis (ISD).

Some babies can develop seborrheic dermatitis in other areas besides their scalp (like their face or bottom). If that happens, your pediatrician can offer additional guidance on clearing up your baby’s condition.

What are the symptoms of cradle cap?

You’ll notice patches of scaly skin on your baby’s scalp. When you touch the scales, they may feel fragile and flaky. Or, they may feel waxy and greasy. This scaly skin doesn’t cause your baby any pain or discomfort. Most babies don’t even seem to notice.

What does cradle cap look like?

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

• Look crusted.
• Flake off.
• Be surrounded by a red or pink rash (if your baby has light skin tones).
• Be surrounded by a rash that’s lighter or darker than your baby’s normal skin color (if your baby has darker skin tones).

Where else can cradle cap appear?

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

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

If you notice these signs, tell your pediatrician. They’ll check your baby and see if they need special moisturizers or medicated creams.

Is cradle cap contagious?

Cradle cap 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 have play dates with other babies.

What causes cradle cap?

Researchers don’t fully understand why babies get cradle cap. However, they believe it’s likely due to a combination of factors.

For example, glands in your baby’s scalp may produce too much oil (possibly due to hormones they receive from their mother). This causes skin cells that normally shed from your baby’s scalp to stay stuck to their scalp instead. A certain yeast (Malassezia) that naturally lives on your baby’s skin may also play a role, but researchers aren’t sure exactly how.

It can be frustrating not to know the cause of a condition in your baby, even if it’s harmless. But researchers do know it’s nothing you did and not your fault. Many babies get cradle cap, and it doesn’t affect their lives or health (they sleep through most of it, anyway!).

How is cradle cap diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can diagnose 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.

What is the treatment for cradle cap?

If your baby only has cradle cap, without rashes elsewhere on their body, they likely don’t need medical treatment. Cradle cap should go away on its own within a few months.

But as a parent, it’s common to want to fix the issue. So, you might wonder, can I do cradle cap self-care at home? Yes, you can absolutely do some things to care for your baby’s scalp and possibly nudge those stubborn scales along. Here are some suggestions for how you can help get rid of cradle cap:

• Soften the skin. Before you wash your baby’s scalp, apply an emollient to their skin. Good options are plain mineral oil, petroleum jelly and baby oil. Avoid olive oil, which may not be good for your baby’s skin, and peanut oil, in case of allergies. Gently massage the emollient into your baby’s scalp and leave it on for several hours (or even overnight) before shampooing.
• Lather up. Wash your baby’s scalp every other day with a mild, fragrance-free shampoo. Gently massage their scalp using your fingertips or a soft washcloth. Don’t scrub hard or use anything scratchy against your baby’s skin (like your fingernails). You may choose to use a soft brush to help remove the scales.
• Don’t pick at the scales. You may be tempted to scratch or pick at the scales to pry them loose. But don’t do this! Picking at the scales creates areas of raw skin and may increase your baby’s risk of an infection.

Cradle cap shampoo

You may wonder what kind of shampoo to use. Sometimes the simplest solution is best. Regular old baby shampoo works just fine to lather up your baby’s scalp. Just make sure the shampoo is mild and unscented. Don’t use shampoos made for adults or designed to treat dandruff (these aren’t meant for a baby’s delicate skin).

If you’d like, you can try a specially-made shampoo for this condition. You’ll find these at the store with “cradle cap” on the label. You can also ask your pediatrician or dermatologist to recommend a shampoo formulated to help with cradle cap.

Is there a way to prevent cradle cap?

Unfortunately, researchers don’t know of any ways to prevent cradle cap. That’s because they don’t fully understand the cause. But they do know it’s harmless and will go away quickly.

How long does cradle cap last?

Cradle cap usually goes away on its own (without treatment) within a few weeks or months. Self-care at home may help move things along.

If cradle cap doesn’t go away in a few months, call your pediatrician. They can check your baby’s scalp and see if they have another skin condition that needs treatment.

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

It’s a good idea to call your pediatrician if you notice one or more of the following issues:

• The cradle cap isn’t improving after a few months.
• Your baby has a rash on areas other than their scalp.
• The skin on your baby’s scalp feels hot to the touch.
• Fluid or blood is leaking from the crusted skin.
• The skin on your baby’s scalp smells bad.
• The area of the rash and scales looks swollen or very red.

These signs could mean your baby:

• May benefit from prescription creams or shampoos.
• Has seborrheic dermatitis that’s not just limited to their scalp. This may need treatment, such as a medicated cream.
• Has another condition like atopic dermatitis or scabies that needs treatment.