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 Cradle cap, or seborrheic dermatitis, is an inflammatory condition of the skin that causes greasy, yellow, flaky scaling over red patches, often affecting an infant’s scalp and eyebrows. It also can affect other parts of the body, particularly the eyelids and forehead, as well as creases of the neck, arms, legs and groin.
While the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, it occurs when a certain part of the skin that has oil-producing glands becomes inflamed. It may be caused by a yeast infection of the skin, but it is not considered contagious. “Seborrheic dermatitis, also called cradle cap in infants, most often occurs in babies younger than 3 months of age, but it can occur anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months of age,” explains Dr. Robin Carder, chief of the clinical department of dermatology at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. “Parents can use a mild dandruff shampoo, diluted half strength, once or twice a week,” she says. “Some baby books suggest using baby oil or olive oil to loosen the scale and then using a comb or soft brush.” If this is done, Dr. Carder says, washing off the oil is very important or the condition can actually worsen. “Cradle cap is a thick, yellow, greasy scale that occurs early in infancy,” Dr. Carder reiterates. “If the baby has a fine, white scale on the scalp with itching, it could be eczema. Eczema is longer-lasting and more bothersome, and may require treatment by a doctor.” |
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