Cradle cap, sometimes also called crib cap, is the baby version of seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis causes dandruff in adults. In babies, it causes extremely thick and flaky skin on a baby’s scalp.
Cradle cap is common, mostly harmless, and should go away eventually. It’s most common in babies up to 3 months old, but it can last up to a year or longer. Most cases of cradle cap go away by a child’s first birthday, and cases continue to drastically decrease as a child approaches 4 years of age.
Cradle cap is usually located on the head and may concentrate behind the ears. Sometimes, it also affects the skin under the eyebrows or on the nose, armpits, or groin. The flakes may be either dry or greasy, and they are usually white or yellow.
Cradle cap is harmless and it’s not medically necessary to get rid of it. But if you want to try removing it, there are a few safe methods you can use at home. Most remedies are not scientifically proven to work and results will likely be temporary. Someday your child will simply grow out of developing cradle cap.
Always be gentle with baby skin. If you irritate the scalp too much you could cause tiny cuts, which might get infected.
1. Brush your baby’s scalp: Gently brushing your baby’s scalp is a good way to move some flakes off their head, but be careful not to pick or scrape at the flakes. You can find special brushes made just for cradle cap. Sometimes hospitals send you home with a brush following delivery of your baby. A new toothbrush with gentle bristles also works. Brush once a day. If the scalp becomes red or agitated, brush less often. Brushing will remove some flakes and may promote overall scalp health. This is a safe method. To be continued
