We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this folio, we may earn a small commission. Here's our process.

Overview

Cradle cap, sometimes likewise called crib cap, is the baby version of seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis causes dandruff in adults. In babies, it causes extremely thick and flaky pare on a baby's scalp.

Cradle cap is common, mostly harmless, and should go away somewhen. Information technology's most common in babies up to iii months onetime, but information technology can last upward to a year or longer. Most cases of cradle cap go abroad by a kid'south first altogether, and cases continue to drastically subtract as a child approaches four years of age.

Cradle cap is usually located on the head and may concentrate backside the ears. Sometimes, it likewise affects the pare under the eyebrows or on the nose, armpits, or groin. The flakes may exist either dry or greasy, and they are usually white or yellow.

Cradle cap is harmless and it's not medically necessary to become rid of it. Simply if you want to try removing it, at that place are a few safe methods you tin use at domicile. Nearly remedies are non scientifically proven to work and results volition likely be temporary. Someday your kid will just grow out of developing cradle cap.

E'er be gentle with baby skin. If you irritate the scalp too much you could cause tiny cuts, which might get infected.

1. Castor your baby's scalp

Gently brushing your baby'southward scalp is a good way to move some flakes off their head, only be careful not to pick or scrape at the flakes. You can find special brushes fabricated merely for cradle cap. Sometimes hospitals transport yous home with a brush post-obit commitment of your baby. A new toothbrush with gentle beard as well works.

To use this method:

  • Moving in ane direction, slowly brush the affected area of scalp to loosen flakes.
  • Continue brushing through the hair to remove flakes from each pilus strand.
  • You can do this on wet or dry hair.

Brush once a twenty-four hour period. If the scalp becomes blood-red or agitated, castor less often.

Brushing will remove some flakes and may promote overall scalp health. This is a safety method.

2. Hydrate the scalp

Hydrating the scalp is good for loosening flakes, and some people feel it nourishes the scalp underneath. You'll need a pure plant oil, such as olive, coconut, jojoba, or almond oil. Baby oil also works. Whichever y'all choose, try a small-scale amount on your baby'south scalp first to run into if it causes any irritation.

To use this method:

  • Utilize a sparse layer of oil to the scalp.
  • Gently massage the oil in for about a minute. If your baby still has a soft spot on their caput, utilize extra caution effectually this area.
  • Leave oil to soak in for almost 15 minutes.
  • Wash the oil out with a gentle babe shampoo.

You can apply this method once a day. Anecdotally, people detect this method to exist effective, merely there'due south no research to support information technology. As long as your child isn't allergic to the oil, this is a safe method.

3. Wash baby'due south hair

Proper hair hygiene can go a long fashion toward diminishing the appearance of cradle cap. A infant shampoo may be enough to assist care for the cradle cap. Only apply dandruff shampoo with your doctor'south permission because it might non be safe for your baby.

To employ this method:

  • Wet the hair and scalp.
  • Massage shampoo into the scalp.
  • Utilise a baby towel to lather shampoo and gently rub the affected areas. You may besides endeavour brushing your baby'southward scalp while you shampoo.
  • Rinse baby's hair to remove all of the shampoo.

Ask your pediatrician how often they recommend you wash your baby'southward hair. Too much shampooing might dry out the scalp and brand cradle cap worse.

Shampooing is very effective for temporarily removing cradle cap flakes, and information technology's very safe when using baby shampoo. Just be careful not to go lather in your baby'south eyes.

4. Utilise prescription creams

In extreme cases, your doc may recommend an antifungal, hydrocortisone, or zinc foam. Follow the instructions of your care provider while using them.

5. Try essential oils, if OK'd by your pediatrician

These highly concentrated oils are herbal remedies that contain the essence (active ingredient) of various plants. Using antimicrobial essential oils may assist fight cradle cap caused past yeast (though this is an uncommon cause of cradle cap in babies). Anti-inflammatory essential oils may soothe the scalp.

When choosing an oil, consider lemon or geranium essential oil and a carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut oil. Some people also recommend tea tree oil, but this oil may not be safe for young babies and should be avoided on babies younger than 6 months.

To utilise:

  • Dilute 2 drops of essential oil in 2 tablespoons of carrier oil.
  • Apply oils to the affected area.
  • Leave on for a few minutes.
  • Comb or brush flakes off.
  • Launder all oils off with shampoo.

This method should be used sparingly. It's also unclear if it's actually prophylactic to apply any essential oils directly on a baby's pare. Ask your doctor showtime and only follow the advice of a certified aromatherapist when using essential oils.

Causes

Not all babies get cradle cap. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), about ten percent of baby boys and nine.5 percent of baby girls take it.

Cradle cap is very common, but little is known about what exactly causes it. This is 1 reason it may be hard to remove or prevent. In adults, there appears to be a link between seborrheic dermatitis and the Malassezia species of yeast, but the association is less clear in infants. It'south estimated that one-half of the population has some level of dandruff, which is too strongly linked to Malassezia yeasts.

Some scientists believe there's a hormonal link since it appears at birth, goes away, and then frequently returns effectually puberty.

Sometimes — though very rarely — generalized cradle cap may be linked to immunodeficiency. If this is the example, there will be other symptoms in addition to just cradle cap, and your dr. can diagnose and treat your child.

When to seek aid

Cradle cap is normally not urgent but it'south worth mentioning to your doctor at your kid'south adjacent check-upward.

If the pare looks very red, infected, or agitated, phone call your doctor. Y'all should also call if the cradle cap spreads to the babe'due south face up or trunk.

Cradle cap vs. infantile eczema

Cradle cap looks like to infantile eczema, but a doctor will hands exist able to tell the divergence. Infantile eczema is usually itchy and cradle cap is not. If yous're worried about your infant's cradle cap or want to learn more, ask your pediatrician at your next date.

Outlook

Cradle cap is mostly harmless and usually clears up on its ain. Ofttimes it goes away past infant's first altogether, though in some children it may not clear up until they are betwixt 2 and iv years quondam.

You can attempt some rubber methods of cradle cap removal at home, only e'er exist conscientious with products and when handling babe pare.