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Signs of cradle cap in babies


Cradle Cap

Is this your child's symptom?

  • A scaly rash on the scalp that starts in newborns

Symptoms of Cradle Cap

  • Yellow scales and crusts attached to the scalp
  • Occurs in patches
  • Scales can be greasy or dry
  • Not itchy or painful
  • Begins in the first 2 to 6 weeks of life

Cause of Cradle Cap

  • Cradle cap is probably caused by hormones from the mother. These hormones cross the placenta before birth. The hormones cause the oil glands in the skin to become overactive. They then release more oil than normal.
  • Dead skin cells normally fall off. The extra oil causes these cells to "stick" to the skin. These cells form yellow crusts and scales on the scalp.

When to Call for Cradle Cap

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Baby less than 1 month old with tiny water blisters or pimples in a cluster
  • Your child looks or acts very sick

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • Baby less than 1 month old with any water blisters or pimples
  • You think your child needs to be seen

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • Raw rash behind the ears
  • Rash spreads beyond the scalp
  • Cradle cap gets worse with treatment
  • Cradle cap lasts longer than 12 months
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • Mild cradle cap

Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

  • Bellevue
  • Everett
  • Federal Way
  • Seattle

Care Advice for Cradle Cap

  1. What You Should Know About Cradle Cap:
    • Cradle cap is a common skin condition of newborns.
    • It's caused by overactive oil glands in the scalp.
    • It's harmless and will go away on its own. But it takes time.
    • Here is some care advice that should help.
  2. Shampoo Daily:
    • Wash the hair with an anti-dandruff shampoo (such as Head and Shoulders). Do this twice a week. No prescription is needed. Note: The daily use of anti-dandruff shampoo isn't approved until after 2 years old. But, using it twice a week is fine.
    • On the other days, wash the hair with baby shampoo.
  3. Scalp Massage:
    • While the hair is lathered, massage the scalp with a soft brush. You can also use a rough washcloth or your fingers for 5 minutes. Don't worry about hurting the soft spot.
  4. Baby Oil:
    • If the scalp has thick crusts (scales), put some baby oil on the scalp. Do this for 15 minutes before shampooing to soften the crusts.
    • Wash all the oil off, however, or it may worsen the cradle cap. (Reason: The oil blocks the oil glands on the baby's scalp.)
    • Do not use olive oil. (Reason: may increase the growth of yeast)
    • Cradle cap lotions for loosening up the scales are also available without a prescription. Apply the lotion 15 minutes before shampooing.
  5. Steroid Cream:
    • If the rash on the scalp is red and irritated, use 1% hydrocortisone cream. An example is Cortaid. No prescription is needed.
    • Put this on once a day.
    • After 1 hour, wash it off with soap and water.
    • Do this for 7 days or less.
  6. Expected Course:
    • Cradle cap will eventually go away on its own between 6 and 12 months of age. Usually, it doesn't cause any symptoms (such as pain or itching).
    • Therefore, treatment is optional. It is mainly done for cosmetic reasons.
    • Shampoos, lotions and brushing will reduce the thickness of the scales. They will usually make them go away sooner.
  7. Return to Child Care:
    • Cradle cap cannot be spread to others.
    • Your child does not need to miss any child care.
  8. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Gets worse with treatment
    • Lasts over 12 months of age
    • You think your child needs to be seen

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 10/19/2022

Last Revised: 01/13/2022

Copyright 2000-2022. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Cradle cap | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

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What is cradle cap?

Cradle cap is the name given to the yellowish, greasy scaly patches that appear on the scalp of young babies. It is a very common, harmless condition that doesn't usually itch or cause discomfort to the baby.

Cradle cap appears most often in babies in the first 2 months and tends to last only a few weeks or months. It is uncommon in babies older than 3 months but may last up to 6 to 12 months in some babies.

What are the symptoms of cradle cap?

Cradle cap is recognisable by the large, greasy, yellow or brown scales that appear on your baby's scalp. These scales will eventually start to flake and may make the affected skin appear red. Sometimes the hair may also come away with the flakes. Cradle cap is not a serious condition and should not cause your child any problems or irritation. However, it is important not to scratch or pick at the cradle cap, in case an infection develops.

It usually starts on the scalp and can sometimes spread behind the ears. The patches may appear on other parts of your baby’s body, such as the nappy area (groin), the nose, armpits or backs of the knees. When it appears on a part of the body other than the scalp, it is called by its medical term seborrhoeic dermatitis.

What causes cradle cap?

The cause of cradle cap is not clear, although it may be linked to overactive sebaceous glands. These are glands in the skin that produce an oily substance called sebum.

It is thought that some babies keep some of their mother’s hormones in their bodies for several weeks or months after the birth. These hormones may make their glands more active, so they produce more sebum. The excess sebum causes old skin cells to stick to the scalp, instead of drying up and falling off as they would normally do.

Cradle cap is not contagious and is not caused by a lack of cleanliness. If a baby has cradle cap, it does not mean that the child has an infection or is not being looked after properly. Research has found that babies who get cradle cap often have family members with allergy-type conditions, such as asthma and eczema. A small number of babies who have cradle cap may develop other types of seborrhoeic dermatitis, such as dandruff, when they are older.

How is cradle cap treated?

Cradle cap requires no specific treatment and will clear up on its own with time. But if you’re unsure at any stage, visit a doctor who can help with the diagnosis and reassure you.

If you want to improve cradle cap faster, massage a small amount of baby oil or olive oil into the scalp at night to soften the patchy scales. In the morning, using a soft baby brush or cloth, gently remove any loose particles, and then wash the hair with a baby shampoo.

In time, the crusts will soften and should lift off easily with a cotton bud or soft baby toothbrush.

Shampoos that contain ground nut oil or peanut oil are best avoided in children under 5 years old.

Taking care with shampoos

Shampoos are available over the counter at pharmacies to loosen cradle cap. Check the patient information leaflet before you use these for any ingredients your child is allergic to, and follow the instructions carefully. You should avoid getting any in your baby’s eyes as these shampoos are stronger than baby shampoo. Speak to your pharmacist for advice. If the shampoo or other treatments worsen the condition, stop the treatments and see a doctor as your baby may have eczema.

Shampoos that contain ground nut oil or peanut oil are best avoided in children under 5 years old.

When should I see my doctor?

If the cradle cap becomes inflamed or infected, a course of antibiotics or an antifungal cream or shampoo, such as ketoconazole, may be prescribed by a doctor. A mild steroid cream such as hydrocortisone may be recommended for an inflamed rash.

It’s a good idea to see the doctor if:

  • cradle cap continues after your baby is 3 months or is itchy to your baby, as this may be a sign of eczema and will need to be treated differently
  • the cradle cap does not improve with treatment or your baby has signs of cradle cap on the face or body (seborrhoeic dermatitis)
  • the skin under crusts becomes inflamed – this can be a sign of infection and will need different treatment
  • you’re not sure it is cradle cap

Sources:
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (Cradle cap), Raising Children Network (Cradle cap), The Australasian College of Dermatologists (Seborrhoeic Dermatitis and Cradle Cap)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: October 2020


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Need more information?

Cradle cap: symptoms, causes and self-care - MyDr.com.au

Cradle cap usually gets better on its own, within a few weeks of appearing.There are several things you can do at home (self-care) to try to improve cradle cap and treatments are available from your doctor.