Disease: Cradle cap

    Overview

    Cradle cap causes crusty or oily scaly patches on a baby's scalp. The condition isn't painful or itchy. But it can cause thick white or yellow scales that aren't easy to remove.

    Cradle cap usually clears up on its own in a few months. Home-care measures include washing your baby's scalp daily with a mild shampoo. This can help loosen and remove the scales. Don't scratch cradle cap.

    If cradle cap persists or seems severe, your doctor may suggest a medicated shampoo, lotion or other treatment.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Symptoms

    Common signs of cradle cap include:

    • Patchy scaling or thick crusts on the scalp
    • Oily or dry skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales
    • Skin flakes
    • Possibly mild redness

    Similar scales may also be present on the ears, eyelids, nose and groin.

    Cradle cap is common in newborns. It usually isn't itchy.

    Cradle cap is the common term for infantile seborrheic dermatitis. It's sometimes confused with another skin condition, infantile eczema. A major difference between these conditions is that eczema usually causes significant itching.

    When to see a doctor

    See your baby's doctor if:

    • You've tried treating it at home without success
    • The patches spread to your baby's face or body

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Causes

    The cause of cradle cap isn't known. One contributing factor may be hormones that pass from the mother to the baby before birth. These hormones can cause too much production of oil (sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles.

    Another factor may be a yeast (fungus) called malassezia (mal-uh-SEE-zhuh) that grows in the sebum along with bacteria. Antifungal treatments, such as ketoconazole, are often effective, supporting the idea that yeast is a contributing factor.

    Cradle cap isn't contagious, and it's not caused by poor hygiene.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Prevention

    Shampooing your baby's hair every few days can help prevent cradle cap. Stick with a mild baby shampoo unless your baby's doctor recommends something stronger.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Lifestyle and home remedies

    The following over-the-counter treatments and home-care tips can help you control and manage cradle cap.

    • Gently rub your baby's scalp with your fingers or a washcloth to loosen the scales. Don't scratch.
    • Wash your baby's hair once a day with mild baby shampoo. Loosen the scales with a small, soft-bristled brush before rinsing off the shampoo.
    • If the scales don't loosen easily, rub petroleum jelly or a few drops of mineral oil onto your baby's scalp. Let it soak into the scales for a few minutes, or hours if needed. Then brush and shampoo your baby's hair as usual. If you leave the oil in your baby's hair, the cradle cap may get worse.
    • Once the scales are gone, wash your baby's hair every few days with a mild shampoo to prevent scale buildup.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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