Parents Zone

Does my baby have Cradle Cap?

What is Cradle Cap?
Cradle Cap is a condition of the skin, much like dermatitis or eczema.  With Cradle Cap it is the sebaceous glands which are effected when they become inflamed.  The inflammation causes an over-production of the skin's greasy, natural water-proofing substance, sebum.##readmore##  When this occurs it tends to trap the skin flakes that the scalp has shed, resulting in what is termed as Cradle Cap.  The inflammation is generally caused by the hormones left in bub's body after the pregnancy which over-stimulate the glands. It usually appears in babies within the first few months.

How Do I Know If This Is What My Baby Has?
Does your baby's scalp appear scaly or flaky? Does the scalp have yellowish crusts?  Does the skin on the scalp appear red and/or greasy?

The presence of 1 or more of these symptoms will signify that it is highly likely that your baby has Cradle Cap.  It isn't contagious, and usually clears up on it's own.  However, if the skin appears to have small blisters that pop and weep, your baby may have impetigo, or “school sores” as it is more commonly known, and this condition is highly contagious.  If you are unsure, then visit your doctor and have the condition checked and correctly diagnosed. 

What Can I Do?
A parent's first thought is that the presence of cradle cap is a sign that they are not caring for their child as they should, but this is not so. While it does tend to look unsightly, Cradle Cap does not tend to bother baby unless it becomes infected.  If you are concerned about the appearance, or would like to try to avoid infection, try the following method:

• Each night, massage bub's head with some baby oil which will loosen the flakes or crusts.  Then take a soft-bristled baby brush and gently brush it over bub's head to help lift the crusts from the surface. Leave it overnight, and then wash bub's hair with baby shampoo in the morning, massaging it into the scalp gently to help remove any remaining crusts and greasiness. You may need to do this for a few days until you notice an improvement in the scalp.

The use of a mild anti-dandruff shampoo has also been known to work.  Only try this if the previous method hasn't worked, as this can irritate baby's eyes.  If the area has become infected your doctor may prescribe and anti-fungal cream which will help clear it up.

If you notice a spreading of the condition, say to the nose, around the nappy area, under the arms or anywhere else on the face, then it is more likely to be a condition known as seborrheoic eczema, rather than cradle cap.

If the condition worsens, or you are unsure of which condition your baby is suffering from, then please seek medical advice.  It is always better to be safe than sorry, and always better to be providing baby with the right treatment for whatever ails them.