Cradle Cap: Crusty Scalp in Newborns and Toddlers

Cradle cap may start appearing two to six weeks after birth. The symptoms can present as:

• Patchy thick yellowish scaling and crusts on the scalp.
• The skin is flaky and can either be oily or too dry.
• The skin may show mild redness.

The exact cause of cradle cap is not known but there have been some theories about what causes cradle cap in infants. Some of these theories are:

• The hormones of the mother cross the placental barrier during pregnancy and irritate the oil glands. These oil glands present over the skin become overactive and produce a lot of oil. Dead corneocytes (scales) stick to this oil, instead of getting removed regularly.
• A fungal infection caused by Malassezia yeasts can lead to the formation of a red inflamed crusty layer on the skin of the baby.

Infants do not require medical treatment for cradle cap as it goes away on its own without any medication. Meanwhile, to manage the symptoms follow the steps below:

• Wash your baby's hair regularly with baby shampoo. Once done, gently loosen the flakes with a soft brush.
• Rub any baby oil or olive oil to soften the crusts.
• Use a humidifier in your baby’s room as it would prevent the baby’s skin from drying even more.
• If the baby has any underlying condition like a fungal infection, the doctor may give your baby an antifungal cream and medication.

No, the patches are neither itchy nor painful for babies. Cradle cap resolves on its own within a few weeks or months. It is important not to rub or scratch the baby's head roughly. Instead, you can gently try to loosen the crusty layers with water or olive oil. Make sure you don't pull the baby's hair why trying to remove the flakes.

While cradle cap usually resolves on its own within a few months, there are a few things that parents need to keep in mind:

• Parents should not try to comb the affected area.
• Parents should not scratch the scaly patches or handle them roughly under any circumstances.
• Use of mild shampoos and oils can help in relieving the patch sooner - check with your doctor before using any baby bath products for your little one.
• The doctor may prescribe antifungal medications if the cradle cap is caused due to a fungal or yeast infection.