Scalp conditions on babies
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Caring for Your Baby's Scalp
It's perfectly normal for your baby to occasionally experience mild irritation of the scalp. From dry scalp to cradle cap to other less common scalp conditions, your baby's' skin is always growing and changing.
What Causes Dry Scalp in Babies?
It's normal for newborns to have white flakes on their scalps. This is not an indication of a dry scalp condition but instead the remnants of old skin being shed. Do not use oils, lotions, or Vaseline to treat dry scalp for babies, as this will only adhere to the flakes to the scalp and make the condition worse.
Over-washing is a common culprit of baby dry scalp. Make sure to rinse thoroughly, as residual shampoo can contribute to baby dandruff. Baby dry scalp treatment is fairly simple. Simply wash your baby’s hair two to three times per week with a gentle baby shampoo and brush his or her hair with a soft baby brush.
A humidifier can also help to prevent dry skin, particularly in the winter. Baby dandruff is common a common skin condition in newborns and is no cause for concern. However, you should monitor your baby's dry scalp for redness and irritation.
What is Cradle Cap?
Cradle cap, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a skin condition characterized by thick white or yellowish scales. In addition to the scalp, it can also occur on the back of the neck, diaper area, armpits, and eyelids. It may be tempting to apply oils or lotions to the affected area, but this is actually counterproductive since the buildup of dry skin is caused in part by an overproduction of oil beneath the surface of the skin.
How Do You Treat Cradle Cap?
You can treat cradle cap by removing scales with a soft brush and washing with a dandruff shampoo like Sebulex daily for one to two weeks. In many cases, the skin condition will go away on its own. If the condition persists, gets red and irritated, or if it spreads, see your physician.
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What is the Difference Between Cradle Cap and Eczema in Babies?
Eczema in babies can look similar to other common skin conditions, like cradle cap. It typically begins as a patch of red or dry skin and will feel rough to the touch. However, babies can get eczema on any part of their body, and it often affects the cheek area as well as the inner folds of the arm and leg joints. Eczema in babies can often be confused with cradle cap, but there are a few key differences:
- Cradle cap is less red and scaly.
- Cradle cap typically only appears on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyelids, eyebrows, and behind the ears.
- Cradle cap generally clears up by 8 months, but eczema can last longer.
If you're unsure about which condition is affecting your little one, schedule an appointment with your child's pediatrician.
Other Scalp Conditions in Babies
Occasionally, your little one may experience itching, flaking, or crusting of the scalp that cannot be attributed to dandruff, cradle cap, or eczema.
If this occurs, it may be caused by one of the following skin conditions:
Head Lice
Though most common in school-age children, babies can also contract head lice as well. These tiny wingless insects can cause itching and raw patches on the scalp.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection of the outer layer of the scalp. It appears as circular patches with raised, red edges that create its characteristic ring shape.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition caused by the overproduction of skin cells which form red, scaly patches known as plaques. Though it is rare, psoriasis can occur in babies.
Lichen Planus
Also very rare in babies, lichen planus is a recurrent skin condition that appears more often during stress, fatigue, or exposure to medicines or chemicals.
Sores, Blisters, or Bumps on Your Baby's Scalp
Your baby can also occasionally develop painful sores, blisters, or bumps on or around the scalp.
These temporary scalp abrasions may be caused by one of the following skin conditions:
- Folliculitis
- Contact dermatitis
- Chickenpox
- Baby acne
- Epidermal cyst
When to Visit the Pediatrician
If your baby’s skin condition has not improved after using over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams or ointments for babies, or if you’re concerned about redness or rashes, schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician.
At Pediatrics East, our pediatricians are always happy to meet with you to discuss any concerns you have about your child’s health and wellness. Schedule an appointment online today or call our appointment line at (901) 757-3535, Option 1. Our appointment staff is available from Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm.
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More Resources
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Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis) in Infants (for Parents)
en español: Costra láctea (dermatitis seborreica) en los bebés
Reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD
Dermatology (Skin Care) at Nemours Children's Health
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 scalp
- 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: Yamini Durani, MD
Date reviewed: March 2023
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Seborrheic dermatitis in children: signs and care
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Seborrheic dermatitis in children: what to do with "milky crusts" on the head?
Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis in children
Seborrheic dermatitis of the newborn usually develops between the ages of 2 weeks and 12 months: according to statistics, in almost half of babies, reddish or yellow scaly patches appear on the scalp.
Quite often, specific crusts (gneiss) are noted - hard, hardened yellow or brown scabs or scales, which are also called "milky crusts". In older children, seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp usually presents with profuse dandruff.
In infants, seborrheic dermatitis can also sometimes start on the face or in the diaper area and spread to other parts of the body. So, children's seborrheic dermatitis can affect:
eyebrows, the skin behind the ears, the diaper area, as well as the folds on the neck and under the arms.
Appearance in skin folds may be marked by a moist red rash rather than yellowish scaly patches. Therefore, despite the rather specific symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis in newborns, parents often mistake it for diaper rash (diaper dermatitis).
Seborrheic dermatitis patches do not itch or cause pain or discomfort in general to the child. As a rule, children themselves do not pay attention to this condition, although it can cause serious anxiety among parents.
Parents only need to take proper care of their baby's skin and make sure that bacterial infection does not join the spots or crusts.
How to take care of the "milky crusts" on the head?
If your child has symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, wash the scalp daily with warm water and a small amount of baby shampoo.
Milk crust care step by step:
Apply plain mineral oil or petroleum jelly to the baby's scalp about an hour before bathing to loosen the adhesion of the crusts to the skin. When washing your hair, gently massage your scalp with shampoo for a few minutes to remove crusts. Rinse well with water and gently pat your scalp dry with a towel.
Avoid using anti-dandruff shampoo, although it works best, it can also irritate delicate skin and burn your child's eyes. In any case, before using shampoos or other products with active medicinal ingredients, it is worth discussing this with a pediatrician or dermatologist.
To soften the crusts, gently rub baby products based on mineral oils into the affected area, and then gently comb with a baby comb: this will help to remove the gneiss as gently as possible, without the risk of injury to the scalp.
