Cradle Cap
Topic OverviewWhat is cradle cap?Cradle cap is an oily, yellow
scaling or crusting on a baby's scalp. It is common in babies and is easily
treated. Cradle cap is not a part of any illness and does not imply that a baby
is not being well cared for. What causes cradle cap?Cradle cap is the normal
buildup of sticky skin oils, scales, and sloughed skin cells. How is it treated?Cradle cap is not harmful to your baby. It usually
goes away by a baby's first birthday. Home treatment is usually all
that is needed for cradle cap. - An hour before shampooing, rub your baby's
scalp with baby oil, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly to help lift the crusts
and loosen scales.
- When ready to shampoo, first get the scalp wet,
then gently scrub the scalp with a soft-bristle brush (a soft toothbrush works
well) for a few minutes to remove the scales. You can also try gently removing
the scales with a fine-tooth comb.
- Then wash the scalp with baby
shampoo, rinse well, and gently towel dry.
When should I call the doctor?If the
above measures do not work, talk to your doctor before using a
dandruff shampoo. If these
products get in your baby's eyes, they can cause irritation. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines. Other Places To Get HelpOrganizations
HealthyChildren.org (U.S.) www.healthychildren.org American Academy of Family
Physicians: FamilyDoctor.org www.familydoctor.org ReferencesOther Works Consulted- American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Skin. In SP Shelov et al., eds., Caring For Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 5th ed., pp. 813-836. New York: Bantam.
- Hall JC (2010). Seborrheic dermatitis, acne, and rosacea. In JC Hall, ed., Sauer's Manual of Skin Diseases, 9th ed., pp. 149-159. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
CreditsByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerSusan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerJohn Pope, MD - Pediatrics Current as of:
May 4, 2017 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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