Cradle Cap In Babies
5 min readWritten by Pradeep
Cradle cap is a relatively common condition found in newborns. This is an infantile form of dandruff that is found among adults and older kids. It causes rough, greasy, yellow scaly patches on the baby’s scalp. Over the course of time, these scales start to become flaky and come out of the scalp commonly with bits of baby’s hair attached.
This is a harmless and temporary condition and is usually not itchy and will not cause any irritation to the baby. It gets itchy only when it gets severe.
In This Article
- Is Cradle Cap Contagious?
- Is Cradle Cap Confined To The Scalp Of The Child?
- Which Age Group Is More Affected By Cradle Cap?
- What Are The Symptoms Of Cradle Cap?
- What Are The Causes Of Cradle Cap?
- How Can Cradle Cap Be Treated?
- When To Seek Medical Help For Cradle Cap?
- What Should Not Be Done For Cradle Cap In Infants?
- How Can Cradle Cap In Babies Be Prevented?
Is Cradle Cap Contagious?
No, cradle cap is neither contagious nor reflects any carelessness in hygiene towards the child. Bacterial infection, allergy, or poor hygiene is not the reasons behind this condition.
Is Cradle Cap Confined To The Scalp Of The Child?
Even though cradle cap starts as scaling and redness of the scalp, it is found to extend to the areas like eyebrows, eyelids, back of ear lobes, crease of the nose, armpits, back of the neck, diaper area, and back of knees where there are a higher number of oil-producing sebaceous glands. Once the scaling spreads to other parts the condition is called ‘seborrheic dermatitis.
Which Age Group Is More Affected By Cradle Cap?
A cradle cap generally appears during the baby’s first two months. But sometimes older babies and toddlers are also known to get cradle caps. It is very common in babies younger than eight months. It usually disappears on its own between 6 to 12 months, though some babies have it for longer.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cradle Cap?
The looks and symptoms of cradle caps vary with babies. The most common symptoms and signs of cradle cap on babies comprise the following signs:
- The scalp covers with greasy, yellow scaly patches
- Thick crusts are also found to form on the scalp
- Mild redness is also found to develop sometimes
- Skin flakes (similar to dandruff) are another sign of cradle cap
- Hair loss is also sometimes associated with cradle caps. The hair will grow back when the cradle cap disappears
What Are The Causes Of Cradle Cap?
The exact reason for the cradle cap is not yet found. Still, the possible reasons that have been zeroed out are:
- The overproduction of sebum (skin oil) in the oil glands of the scalp and hair follicles. This overly produced oil interferes with the natural shedding of the dead skin, creating the build-up of dead skin over the scalp of the baby.
- The overproduction of oil in the baby’s skin is associated with the mother’s pregnancy hormones that are pumped into the bloodstream of the baby. These hormones stimulate oil production.
- A type of fungus called Malassezia is found to grow in the overproduced sebum and is considered another factor that causes cradle cap.
- Problems with the immune system of the infant increase the chances of having a cradle cap. The immune system sometimes overreacts to the presence of normal yeast on the baby’s scalp. This overreaction of the immune system causes inflammation.
- Weather extremes like too cold and too hot are found to trigger cradle caps among infants.
How Can Cradle Cap Be Treated?
As the cradle cap generally clears by itself without even leaving any scar within a few weeks or months, treatment is not needed in most cases.
Cradle cap can get rid of easily by:
- Massaging regularly the scalp with baby oil or soft paraffin before bathing the baby
- Brushing the hair and scalp using a soft brush so that some of the scales may get loosened before washing the hair
- Use mild shampoo regularly to wash out the applied oil or paraffin
- Some parents say that using shampoos prescribed by the doctors proved to be effective
This method will help the crust to soften in due course of time. Once it softens it can be easily lifted off by using a cotton bud or soft brush
When To Seek Medical Help For Cradle Cap?
Generally, the cradle cap will clear by simply following the above tips. However, consulting a pediatrician is recommended:
- When the rashes turn red and the baby tends to scratch on it
- When cradle cap shows no improvement even after following the simple treatments at home
- Once the cradle cap starts spreading to other parts of the body.
- When the affected skin becomes firm and starts to ooze out fluid or feel warm. Both are indications of an infection and require medical help. The doctor will prescribe some pediatric anti-fungal cream or shampoo which will help to eradicate the infections
What Should Not Be Done For Cradle Cap In Infants?
Never force the crusts off the scalp. This may lead to damage and the bleeding of the skin of the infant’s scalp. These sore patches could be infectious. Also,
- Never use an adult’s anti-dandruff shampoo to wash the scalp of the infant. The harmful chemicals in the shampoo will damage the hair follicles of the baby. Some of the chemicals in such shampoos are toxic and can be absorbed through the skin
- If the cradle cap is cured and then comes back don’t worry. The coming back of the cradle cap just means that the baby’s glands are still making extra oil. And this will stop when the mother’s hormones leave the baby’s bloodstream in due course of time
- Avoid using olive oil for massaging the scalp as it damages the baby’s outer layer of skin on the scalp
How Can Cradle Cap In Babies Be Prevented?
As the cradle cap can occur as the result of the mother’s pregnancy hormones getting into the bloodstream of the baby, a hundred percent prevention is not possible. However, giving some attention to the scalp of the baby minimizes the chances of having a cradle cap.
- Shampoo the baby’s scalp (with mild baby shampoo) thrice a week. This will help to prevent the accumulation of oil in the skin
- Once the scalp shows the signs of dryness call your pediatrician for quick remedies
- Never over wash the hair as over-washing can be backfire and the oil production may increase significantly
Pradeep,
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