Cradle cap all over body
Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis) in Infants (for Parents)
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
en español Costra láctea (dermatitis seborreica) en los bebés
What Is Cradle Cap?
Cradle cap is the common term for seborrheic dermatitis (seb-eh-REE-ik dur-muh-TYE-tis) of the scalp in infants.
Seborrheic dermatitis, also called seborrhea (seb-eh-REE-uh), can show up:
- on the forehead and face
- behind the ears
- in the diaper area, armpits, and other skin folds and creases
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis)?
Babies can develop seborrheic dermatitis when they're between 2 weeks and 12 months old. It usually starts with cradle cap. A baby with cradle cap will have slightly red scaly or crusty yellow patches on the scalp. It may also start on the face or diaper area and spread to other parts of the body.
Seborrhea looks:
- red and moist in skin creases and folds (like the neck and behind the ears)
- yellowish with greasy patches or crusts
- scaly or flaky
Seborrheic dermatitis might look uncomfortable or irritating to the skin. But it usually isn't itchy and doesn't seem to bother infants.
What Causes Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis)?
The exact cause of cradle cap isn't known. It's likely due to a combination of things. Too much skin oil (sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles and a type of yeast found on the skin called Malassezia may play roles in the development of seborrheic dermatitis.
How Is Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis) Diagnosed?
Health care professionals can diagnose cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis by the way the skin looks and where the rash is. Babies with seborrheic dermatitis are usually well and the condition should get better on its own or with treatment.
How Is Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis) Treated?
Cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in infants usually clears up on its own in weeks or months. In the meantime, you may want to loosen and remove the scales on your baby's scalp:
- Wash your baby's hair once a day with mild, tear-free baby shampoo.
- Gently remove scales with a soft brush or toothbrush.
- If the scales don't loosen easily, apply a small amount of mineral oil or petroleum jelly to your baby's scalp. Let the oil to soak into the scales for a few minutes to several hours, if needed. Then use a soft brush or toothbrush to remove scales. Shampoo your baby's hair as usual.
If regular shampooing doesn't help, your doctor may recommend a mild steroid cream or antifungal shampoo.
For seborrhea on other parts of the body, your doctor may recommend a mild steroid or antifungal cream.
Do not use over-the-counter steroid or antifungal creams or anti-seborrhea shampoos without checking first with the doctor.
What Else Should I Know?
Sometimes seborrheic dermatitis in the diaper area or skin folds can get infected. Talk to your doctor if the rash gets worse or there are any signs of infection (the skin looks red, starts to drain fluid, or feels warm).
Cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in infants usually get better by 12 months of age.
Seborrhea may come back around puberty as dandruff.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: February 2019
Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap): Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Seborrheic dermatitis (sebb oh REE ik der mah TY tis) is very common in infants and children. It appears as scaly, itchy, white, yellow or red patches. It most often appears on the scalp but can also be on the:
- Face
- Sides of the nose
- Eyebrows
- Ears
- Eyelids
It can appear in body folds and creases as bright red and shiny, including:
- Under the arms
- Elbow crease
- Behind the knees
- Neck folds
- Groin folds
Seborrheic dermatitis is often called cradle cap because it is common in infants.
Cradle cap in infants usually improves between 8 and 12 months of age. It does not spread to others and probably does not bother your baby.
It also can happen during adolescence, which is called dandruff.
Signs and Symptoms
Common signs of seborrheic dermatitis include:
- Patches of scaly skin or crusts on the scalp
- Greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales
- Skin flakes or dandruff
- Mild to moderate redness.
Causes
Seborrheic dermatitis is the result of an overgrowth of yeast on the skin. This combines with excess oil production and leads to redness and irritation on the skin. That causes the scaling and itching.
In infancy, this is often a result of the mother’s hormones in pregnancy or through breastfeeding. In adolescence, the hormones of puberty can lead to this condition.
Treatment
Treatments may include:
- Topical (on the skin) steroids
- Anti-fungal creams
- Medicated shampoos
Medicated shampoo should be used on the scalp and problem areas.
It is left on for 5 to 10 minutes then washed out.
Cradle cap in infants usually clears on its own within a few months. During that time wash your baby’s hair or scalp once a day with mild baby shampoo. Home remedies listed below can help you control cradle cap.
- Gently rub your baby’s scalp with your fingers or a washcloth to loosen the crust.
- Wash his or her hair once a day with mild baby shampoo.
- If the patches do not loosen easily, rub petroleum jelly or a few drops of mineral oil on the scalp. Let it soak into the patches for a few minutes. Brush with a soft-bristled brush and shampoo the hair to get out the oil. If you leave the oil in your baby’s hair, the cradle cap may get worse.
- Once the scaly patches are gone, wash his hair every few days to prevent scaly buildup.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your child’s doctor if:
- The cradle cap does not go away after treating it at home
- The patches spread to your baby’s face or body
Other Information
- This condition may come and go in children.
Use the medications when the rash is present. - Sometimes the medicated shampoo is used weekly to prevent flaring. Ask your child’s doctor if this treatment should be continued after the rash is gone.
Sebhorrheic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap) (PDF)
HH-I-323 2/11 Revised 05/16 Copyright 2011 Nationwide Children’s Hospital
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Milk crusts on a child's head: causes, treatment, prevention
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In the first weeks of a baby's life, mothers often notice yellow crusts on the child's head.
What are milk (seborrheic) crusts on the head of a child and why do they appear? How to remove yellow crusts on the head of a newborn and what means to use for prevention - we tell in this article.
What are milk (seborrheic) crusts
Scaly growths of yellow or white color appear on the head of every second baby in the first months of his life. Most often, crusts form on the head in children, but sometimes they occur on the face or in the groin area. In some cases, the crusts on the child's head are accompanied by a rash and redness. At the same time, the yellow crusts on the head of a child are absolutely safe, and with proper hygiene, they gradually disappear by the age of 3 months.
Causes
Until now, scientists cannot give a 100% accurate answer where these unpleasant crusts on the head of a baby come from. The main reason is usually called the inability of the baby's skin to new living conditions: milk crusts occur due to the fact that the sebaceous and sweat glands do not fully cope with the load.
As a result, excess sebum is formed, which mixes with dead cells, which causes unpleasant growths.
Other possible causes of lullaby cap are often cited as a fungal infection and the activity of the yeast Malassezia.
Whatever the truth, doctors agree on one thing: the crusts on the head of a baby are not dangerous, they do not cause any discomfort in the baby. A particular nuisance is that they interfere with combing the baby's hair. However, all defects are purely cosmetic. But there are points worth paying attention to. Sometimes eczema is disguised as a “lullaby cap”, in which the child is itchy and constantly itches. This condition is treated under the supervision of a dermatologist with the help of medical ointments. If you doubt the diagnosis, we advise you to consult a pediatrician. You should also consult a doctor if the crusts grow all over the body of the baby.
How to remove crusts on a child's head?
When trying to get rid of unpleasant growths, do not try to tear them off with your nails or scratch them, as you can introduce an infection into the child's body and cause unnecessary complications.
Try to refrain from manipulation during the day, allocating special time for skin care.
The formation of crusts is considered a natural process for newborn babies. But proper care and hygiene will significantly reduce their number:
- Spread the oil all over the scalp, paying special attention to the growths. Rub the oil into the skin, then put a cap on the child's head, it will help soften the crusts better.
- After 30-40 minutes, bathe the baby with baby shampoo, gently washing away the soaked crusts. Do not make an effort if the crust does not come off well - it can be removed next time. Chamomile or panthenol in children's shampoos will help heal injured areas.
- You can complete the procedure by gently combing the head, which will remove some of the growths. An important point: do not put too much pressure on the head with a comb, trying to tear off the skin flakes. It is better to use a soft brush that does not injure the baby's head.
- After washing, the crusts on the body can be smeared with panthenol cream.
- You can repeat the procedure 2 times a week, but not more often. This will help to gradually get rid of the milk crust. You can learn more about care in the article "Baby line for newborns".
Once again, we recall that growths are more of an aesthetic problem that does not cause concern to the baby. And the health and comfort of the child is the first rule that should guide parents in making decisions about whether or not to carry out certain procedures.
How do I take care of my skin to prevent the recurrence of crusts?
The formation of crusts is considered a natural process for newborn babies. But proper care and hygiene will significantly reduce their number.
Review your menu and complementary foods for your baby if he is not breastfeeding. Try to remove potential allergens and spicy dishes from it.
Make sure you dress your child appropriately for the temperature. Excessive wrapping causes unnecessary sweating and provokes the formation of crusts.
It is worth paying attention to the air temperature in the room, as well as the quality of the fabrics of the baby's clothes and his bed linen. Do not forget about the humidifier - it will create the most comfortable conditions for the child.
Do not overdo it with the use of hygiene products. Children's skin is very sensitive, so too much shower gel and shampoo can harm it. If you want to bathe a child, sometimes you can do it in ordinary water, with the addition of healthy herbal decoctions.
Pay attention to the products you use to care for your baby. You can buy a special shampoo for crusts on the head of a child. Or use the usual, but in which there are no strong fragrances, dyes and other harmful chemicals. Give preference to products designed specifically for children.
Don't brush your baby's hair too often, as this can irritate the skin and cause more flakes. Use soft brushes in the process, do not apply pressure or try to peel off the crusts dry.
Be especially careful with the fontanel area - the most vulnerable part of the baby's head.
The My Sunshine® product line includes a shampoo with chamomile extract and rice milk, which gently cleanses baby's hair and skin and prevents the appearance of new crusts.
The shampoo is pH balanced, does not sting the eyes of the child and does not cause irritation. The composition does not contain aggressive substances and is hypoallergenic. Pediatricians recommend using it from the birth of a baby.
In some cases, a "lullaby cap" is formed in children even after 3 months, and sometimes crusts suddenly appear after a year. Most often this is a temporary phenomenon that disappears after a few weeks. You can read about other nuances of caring for a baby in our article “All about caring for a newborn baby”. If the growths do not go away, grow strongly or cause discomfort in the child, we advise you to visit a specialist. He will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment if necessary.
Quite possibly, it will be a special medical shampoo or cream.
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Crust on the baby's head: how to remove it and what you need to know We have collected tips on why they appear, how to remove them, and also described in detail the care of the baby's skin.
Almost every baby develops crusts on the head. Most often they appear on the crown of the head, as well as in other places - behind the ears or on the top of the head.
They are called milk crusts, or seborrheic dermatitis, or lullaby cap. Often these crusts are not dangerous. Although they cause concern to parents and look unaesthetic.
READ ALSO: 7 rules for baby hair care
How to distinguish crusts on the baby’s head from skin diseases ?
Yellow crusts on the baby's head (picture)
Lullaby cap has distinctive features:
- it looks like small spots of rough skin that is hard to the touch;
- the crust usually appears only on the child's head, face and neck;
- cap is formed from dead cells and can grow in layers.
For example, eczema or similar skin conditions cause dryness and flaking when lightly touched. Such spots can appear all over the body.
To the touch they are soft, slightly moist or, conversely, dry.
Are scalp crusts contagious to other babies
Infant scalp crust is a common name for seborrheic dermatitis. Sounds scary and incomprehensible. In fact, there is nothing painful and intractable in this. Yellow crusts on the head of a baby are absolutely safe and not contagious.
Doctors estimate that half of all babies develop yellow crusts during the first year of life.
Seborrheic crusts on the head of a baby (picture)
However, this does not mean that you should completely ignore the crusts on your head. The body of the child copes with this phenomenon at the expense of its resources. In rare cases, scaly patches can become a source of bacteria. This is possible if the baby scratches the crust with his nails or she rubs against clothes or bedding. Again, infections are rare, however, it is worth paying attention to the condition of the scalp.
Many parents are worried that the baby is in pain or that it will infect other children. In truth, such fears are far from reality.
Usually the child does not feel pain due to scabs. But in severe and advanced cases, a lullaby cap can cause discomfort. It is important to know that yellow crusts on the head of a baby are not transmitted to brothers, sisters, friends or other children with whom the baby is in contact.
If your child's skin appears to be inflamed or infected, contact your pediatrician right away.
How does a baby's head crust develop? One popular theory is that babies' sebaceous glands (the ones that produce sebum) don't work to their full potential because of mom's hormones.
This does not mean that the woman is doing something wrong. The appearance of a lullaby in a baby is a common phenomenon. Hormones in the mother's body cause the mammary glands to become active, which is quite natural and necessary for breastfeeding.
Such processes in the female body leads to excess fat on the baby's skin. Dead cells that need to be shed mix with fat and form a crust.
READ ALSO: Why my baby is losing hair
It is important to understand that a woman does not need to change anything in her habits or go on a special diet. The baby's body adapts to the environment during the first 12 months of life. Often the appearance of crusts is an inevitable process.
Another theory says that the cause of the formation of seborrheic crusts on the head of the baby is a fungal infection.
A third theory is that the lullaby cap is due to a specific strain of Malassezia yeast. They cause inflammation and redness on the skin of the child - this is how the body fights the activity of yeast. This leads to the accumulation of fat and dead skin cells, from which a yellow crust forms on the head of a child.
Whatever the cause, doctors know for sure that it is not due to poor hygiene, allergies or bacterial infection.
Here is what the pediatrician Komarovsky says about this:
Milk crusts are an age-related feature of many children. This is due to the hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands. Your child, apparently, is not worried about milk crusts, but the process of combing them out, which is not at all so necessary. If the hair is long, then it is almost impossible to comb out the crusts without a haircut.
You should know that crusts will disappear on their own sooner or later. However, if the child is cut short, then they can be combed out. Before combing, it is advisable to soften the crusts with any vegetable oil, and then use a comb with fairly blunt teeth.
How to remove the crust on the baby's head
When a lullaby appears, you want to bathe your baby often to get rid of the unpleasant phenomenon. Doctors do not recommend this. Contact with water and shampoo dries out the skin, so the sebaceous glands are actively working, releasing oil.
The crust becomes dense and it is now difficult to remove it quickly and carefully.
Bathing a baby with a crust on his head (picture)
Use a mild baby shampoo for baby's scalp. For deep cleansing, it is enough to wash the skin and hair of the child 2-3 times a week. Mustela Scab Shampoo gently cleanses and removes dry layers of skin. Other baby shampoos with a natural composition are also suitable for bathing.
How to get rid of crusts on the baby's head: shampooing (picture)
If you don't have a special shampoo on hand, there is an alternative method. Use baby oil before removing the scab on the baby's head. This can be done while bathing, when the pores open and the skin becomes softer.
Massage baby oil or vegetable oil into baby's head. Let him soak. Then take a comb - preferably with soft bristles - and run it through the child's hair several times. You can also use a terry towel.
The crust comes off easily. If you need to make an effort, oil the skin well again.
It is important to do everything slowly and carefully.
Some moms recommend oiling your skin before bathing, putting on a cap that you don't mind, and waiting 30 minutes. Then comb out the crust. In both options, the effect of the procedure is the same. Choose what is more convenient for you.
Crusts on the baby's head: how to clean at home (video)
Use a humidifier in the children's room. It has a positive effect on the child's sleep and overall health. A humidifier is especially needed in winter. If the baby has yellow crusts on the head, then the skin needs additional hydration.
Nursery humidifier (picture)
Results take time. Remember, a lullaby cap speaks of an imbalance in the body of a child. Peeling on the skin is only an external manifestation.
In rare cases, the crust disappears immediately after the first softening and combing.
