Cradle cap is a very commonly encountered rash seen in healthy infants. It typically presents as yellow, scaly areas and crusts on a baby’s scalp. These scales may be either greasy appearing or dry, and are not known to be painful or uncomfortable to infants. Cradle cap (also known as seborrheic dermatitis, or “seb derm”) usually begins in the first 2 to 6 weeks of life, and typically resolves by 6 months of age.

The cause of cradle cap is unknown, but some data suggests that it may be caused by maternal hormones that crossed the placenta before birth and stimulated the oil glands in the scalp. Cradle cap is NOT caused by poor hygiene, and it is not contagious and does not recur. Occasionally, we see cradle cap occurring with areas of redness behind the ears, in body creases (armpit, groin and neck), and in the diaper area.

Without treatment, the expected course of seb derm may be months, but it will eventually clear up on its own. With treatment (as listed below), it will usually resolve in a few weeks.

1. Antidandruff shampoo. Antidandruff shampoos (example: Neutrogena T-Gel) slow down the scaling and flaking of skin, and do not require a prescription. Be careful to keep it out of your baby’s eyes. Wash your baby’s hair with this shampoo twice a week, and just plain water is fine on other days. While the hair is lathered, gently massage your baby’s scalp with a soft brush or thick washcloth. Don’t worry about hurting the soft spot; it’s well protected.
2. Softening thick crusts or scales. If your child’s scalp is very crusty, put a small amount of baby oil or olive oil on the scalp 1 hour before washing to soften the crust. Be sure to wash all of the oil off, as it may worsen the cradle cap if left on the scalp.
3. Resistant cradle cap. If the rash is red and irritated, please give our office a call, as it is probably best if we take a look at your child.