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ToggleCradle cap in babies seem to be a nightmare to parents, especially the first-time ones. The more they clean it, the more it seems to stay. What is cradle cap and what risk does it pose to babies?
According to research, at least 70% of babies get a cradle cap by 3 months. It is so common, so, don’t fret.
Do you want to know more about cradle cap? Read to the end.
Cradle cap is a skin condition that affects babies’ scalps, creating rough patches.
You can also call it crusta lacteal, milk crust, seborrheic dermatitis, crib cap, honeycomb disease, or pityriasis capitis.
Different babies develop this skin condition at different times, but it is predominant between one to three months. In some instances, the condition can stretch to 2 years.
Cradle cap is one of the issues that babies before turning two, as discussed in this post.
There is so much mystery surrounding the causes of cradle cap in babies. The most commonly discussed is that the condition occurs due to excess oil production by the skin. The excess oil accumulates on the skin, combining with dead skin cells to create a thick layer on the scalp.
Another school of thought is that mothers can pass some hormones to the baby. The baby’s body may react to the hormones through the development of cradle cap.
No. Cradle cap cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
A baby with cradle cap will manifest the following symptoms:
In rare instances, cradle cap may lead to hair loss in the area affected. This should not worry you, since it grows back when the cradle cap goes away.
In some instances, babies with cradle cap develop a different skin color from the rest of the scalp. In some instances, it might appear ashy or yellow-like.
Cradle cap will usually leave the baby’s scalp looking greasy. In severe instances, the greasy scalp might develop yellow or white patches.
In some instances, the cradle cap may spread to other parts of the body such as the armpits and ears.
Diagnosing cradle cap is not rocket. A simple observation of the mentioned symptoms will tell you if the baby has a cradle cap.
Once your dermatologist or pediatrician has diagnosed the baby with a cradle cap, they will prescribe these management or treatment tips:
The first step to treating cradle cap in babies is washing their scalp clean frequently. While washing the baby’s scalp, gently rub the scalp to remove all the extra oils.
It is also advisable to use unscented baby shampoo to wash the baby’s scalp. In my next article, I will attach a list of medicated shampoos that you can use to wash a baby with a cradle cap.
Note: Avoid shampoos whose ingredients are designed to treat dandruff.
Once you have washed and cleaned the baby’s scalp, the next step should be a gentle brush. Use a fine-tooth combi to brush the area with the cradle cap. With time, the scales will fall off with time.
Apply a baby-friendly lubricant to the scalp such as baby oil, petroleum jelly, or ointment. It is recommended that you apply the lubricant before using the hair brush on the baby’s scalp.
Parental instincts might push you to pick the baby’s scales. However tempting the urge to pick the scales might be, avoid it since it could lead to re-infection.
If the baby’s scalp appears inflamed, apply a considerable amount of hydrocortisone antipruritic cream. Alternatively, you can apply ketoconazole cream to the scalp. Although these creams might not be effective in the long run, your doctor may recommend them.
Although cradle cap is a common skin condition among babies, at times, it might need a doctor’s intervention. If your baby demonstrates one or several of these symptoms, see the doctor:
Although cradle cap may be mistaken for eczema, there are notable differences.
First, cradle cap is usually greasier, thicker, and more yellow/brown than eczema.
On the other hand, eczema is itchier, pinkish or red, depending on the baby’s skin color. Additionally, babies with eczema have very sensitive skin, which is not the case with cradle cap.