Cradle Cap: How to Care for Your Child

Babies with cradle cap (also called seborrheic dermatitis) have a red rash with yellowish scales on their head. It's not painful but may be a little itchy. Cradle cap will go away on its own within a few months, but you can help the scales go away sooner by following these care instructions.

• Use medicated shampoo, creams, or ointments as directed by your health care provider.

• To remove the scales from your baby's head:

  • Lather your baby's scalp with mild "no tears" baby shampoo.

  • Gently massage the scalp using your fingers or a washcloth.

  • Brush your child's hair with a clean, soft brush.

  • Rinse off the shampoo.

• If the scales don't loosen easily, rub a small amount of mineral oil onto your baby's scalp to soften them. Use a soft toothbrush to massage the scalp; then shampoo your baby's hair. Be sure to wash the oil away each time — too much oil may cause scales to build up and could make cradle cap worse.

• The cradle cap gets worse.

• Your baby seems very itchy or uncomfortable.

• The skin gets red or warm, develops pimples or blisters, or begins to drain pus.

• Your baby gets a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

• The cradle cap continues for more than a few months or after 1 year of age.

What causes cradle cap? The exact cause of cradle cap isn't known. It may be from the skin making too much oil in the oil glands and hair follicles, or it could be related to a yeast on the skin. Sometimes it can happen on other body areas, such as the face, neck, armpits, behind the ears, or in the diaper area. Cradle cap isn't contagious or the result of poor hygiene.

Does cradle cap lead to scarring? No, there is no scarring with cradle cap. If it causes some patches of hair to fall out, the hair grows back in a month or two.