Some babies develop a crusty or oily scaly patches on their scalp or some redness in their neck creases or armpits. When the rash on the scalp happens on its own, it’s also known as cradle cap. Doctors call it infantile seborrheic dermatitis. 

Nobody knows for sure what causes seborrheic dermatitis, but can overproduction of oil by the oil glands or hair follicles may be a factor. Sometimes, yeast can also grow alongside the oil together with bacteria. It isn’t painful or itchy, but it can cause thick white or yellow scales that aren’t easy to remove. 

Common signs of cradle cap include:

• Patchy scaling or thick crusts on the scalp

• Oily or dry skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales

• Skin flakes

• Mild redness

Some things you can do to prevent cradle cap include:

• Petroleum jelly or ointments or baby/mineral oil. Apply to the area and leave overnight/few hours. Avoid olive oil as it’s been known to cause fungal infections.

• Shampooing your baby’s hair (daily) with mild baby shampoo like Dove Baby the next morning.

• Soft brushing of the scalp with a soft brush can help loosen the scales during bath-time.

• If persistent or extensive, talk to your doctor for more treatment options.

Remember, cradle cap is not contagious and it’s not caused by poor hygiene!

Your PediPals