Cradle Cap Facts
“Cradle Cap” is a common condition of the scalp seen in babies as newborns up to small children 3 years of age. It is due to an excessively oily scalp caused by the transfer of the mother’s hormones to the baby at the end of the pregnancy.
It appears as flaky white, yellow or brown scales or crusts appearing on oily places in the scalp. It can itch, though it doesn’t in every case. If it does, however, constant scratching of the area involved can cause more inflammation, and there may be mild infections or bleeding where there are breaks in the skin.
Cradle cap is not contagious, neither is it due to poor bathing rituals, nor an allergy. It is harmless and often a temporary and non-dangerous condition. Sometimes there will be similar crusts seen around the nose, eyelids, and the back and insides of the ears. Areas with creases or folds such as the arm pits and the groin area may also be affected.
Cradle cap treatment:
- Massage the baby’s scalp gently either using your finger tips or a soft brush to loosen the scales and help the circulation. Do not pick the scales off as often the hair will also be removed and not grow back quickly.
- Give your baby gentle shampoos with a mild soap as a daily routine while the scales are visible (Castile or Mustela’s Stelaker/Cradle Cap) are good ones. After they have disappeared, you can shampoo twice a week.
- Make sure to rinse off all of the soap!
- Use a clean, soft brush after every shampoo and several times a day to gently brush your child’s hair.
- If the scales are not loosening and washing off, you may apply some baby oil or olive oil to the baby’s scalp and wrap warm wet cloths around her head for 10-20 minutes before shampoos. But check and do not allow the cloths to become cold as this could bring the baby’s temperature down drastically.
- Shampoo your baby’s hair after the oil treatment; do not leave the oil on.
If your baby appears uncomfortable or is scratching the scabs, if they are red or causing pain, or there is fluid or pus draining from the scabs, contact your pediatrician. She may be willing to prescribe a cream or lotion that you can apply to her scalp.
Though Cradle Cap may be a bit unsightly for a while, remember it is not a permanent condition! It often improves in the summer months, particularly after outdoor activities.
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