Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Cradle cap is the lay term for a condition called seborrheic dermatitis (also called seborrhea or dandruff in older kids and adults); cradle cap is the specific name that indicates the condition affects an infant.
Cradle cap is a relatively common condition in infants. It can occur in up to 10% of infants under 4 weeks of age and is seen in babies between the ages of 3 weeks and 12 months.
Cradle cap is not a contagious disorder, and neither is it a result of poor hygiene.
This article reviews the types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of cradle cap.
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Types of Cradle Cap
Cradle cap usually appears on an infant’s scalp; less commonly, it can occur on the:
When cradle cap appears on the body, it’s no longer called cradle cap but is referred to as seborrheic dermatitis.
Dandruff
Cradle Cap Symptoms
Symptoms of cradle cap include:
When to See a DoctorCradle cap can usually be managed with some simple home remedies, but under some circumstances, a healthcare provider should be notified, including when:Seborrhea symptoms appear on the body in areas that are absent of hairYou have used the healthcare provider’s recommendation for home remedies, but they did not alleviate symptomsThe rash worsens or spreads to large areas of the bodyThe rash becomes uncomfortable (itchy) or causes hair lossThe skin becomes red and warm and begins to drain fluid (which may indicate an infection)
When to See a Doctor
Cradle cap can usually be managed with some simple home remedies, but under some circumstances, a healthcare provider should be notified, including when:Seborrhea symptoms appear on the body in areas that are absent of hairYou have used the healthcare provider’s recommendation for home remedies, but they did not alleviate symptomsThe rash worsens or spreads to large areas of the bodyThe rash becomes uncomfortable (itchy) or causes hair lossThe skin becomes red and warm and begins to drain fluid (which may indicate an infection)
Cradle cap can usually be managed with some simple home remedies, but under some circumstances, a healthcare provider should be notified, including when:
The exact underlying cause of cradle cap is unknown. It is thought that contributing factors may include an excess of skin oil (called sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles (which occurs due to overactive sebaceous glands) along with a reaction to a type of yeast calledMalassezia.
Malasseziayeast is a type of yeast that normally lives on the skin. The scalp microbiome is an environment involving a community of organisms that grow on the skin (as well as the scalp). There is a diverse mix of bacteria, fungi, and other organisms that must have a proper balance in numbers to work together optimally and stave off infections. When the balance is disturbed, skin conditions, such as those that cause itching, flaking, and irritation, can develop.
When Does Cradle Cap Occur?The most common time in life when a child develops seborrhea is during infancy and adolescence. Hormones may also be linked with the development of cradle cap. Cradle cap or seborrhea occurs most often in young babies and teenagers; these are times in life when hormone levels are high.
When Does Cradle Cap Occur?
The most common time in life when a child develops seborrhea is during infancy and adolescence. Hormones may also be linked with the development of cradle cap. Cradle cap or seborrhea occurs most often in young babies and teenagers; these are times in life when hormone levels are high.
What to Know About a Stork Bite
In most cases of cradle cap, the condition will resolve itself without any treatment. But many parents choose to provide home remedies to help loosen and remove scales on the infant’s scalp. The home remedy steps include:
If the regular shampooing/brushing routine is ineffective, consult with the pediatrician about using some type of over-the-counter dandruff or medicated shampoo and possibly an antifungal shampoo, called ketoconazole, to help treat flaking and dryness of the scalp.
Rarely, stronger forms of these medications may be prescribed, and hydrocortisone cream may be given to reduce inflammation. A type of hydrocortisone may be given that is combined with an anti-yeast cream. But healthcare providers are cautious not to overtreat cradle cap. These stronger medications are prescribed only when the condition doesn’t respond to initial treatment.
Note that symptoms of cradle cap may go away for up to several months at a time, and then reappear. If the condition does recur, following the home remedy regimen is often enough to control it.
Usually, cradle cap resolves on its own between 6 months and 12 months of age. Because the condition is not generally known to cause itchiness or discomfort, treatment is optional and is primarily done for cosmetic reasons. The brushing and shampooing help to reduce the thickness of the scales and may shorten the duration of the scales.
Summary
Cradle cap is a relatively common condition in infants that causes a dandruff-like substance to accumulate on the scalp.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UpToDate.Cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in infants.Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis).Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, et al.Comparison of healthy and dandruff scalp microbiome reveals the role of commensals in scalp health.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2018;8:346. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2018.00346Kids Health from Nemours.What is cradle cap?Seattle Children’s Hospital.Cradle cap.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UpToDate.Cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in infants.Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis).Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, et al.Comparison of healthy and dandruff scalp microbiome reveals the role of commensals in scalp health.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2018;8:346. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2018.00346Kids Health from Nemours.What is cradle cap?Seattle Children’s Hospital.Cradle cap.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UpToDate.Cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in infants.Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis).Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, et al.Comparison of healthy and dandruff scalp microbiome reveals the role of commensals in scalp health.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2018;8:346. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2018.00346Kids Health from Nemours.What is cradle cap?Seattle Children’s Hospital.Cradle cap.
UpToDate.Cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in infants.
Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis).
Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, et al.Comparison of healthy and dandruff scalp microbiome reveals the role of commensals in scalp health.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2018;8:346. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2018.00346
Kids Health from Nemours.What is cradle cap?
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Cradle cap.
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