Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is a yellow crusty substance found on your baby’s scalp or eye brows that may be oily or dry to touch. Cradle cap may take several weeks to clear, can become infected and can reappear.
What is cradle cap?
Cradle cap is an inflammatory condition also known as a form of eczema that affects babies, usually in the first few months of life. Cradle cap is harmless but admittedly often unsightly.
What causes cradle cap?
Cradle cap is usually caused by an overproduction of sebum (a natural oily wax on our skin). With this waxy cover on the skin, it makes it difficult to shed dead skin cells, so instead the skin cells get mixed in with the sebum and stick on the skin. It is not caused by poor hygiene.
How to get rid of cradle cap?
Cradle cap treatment aims to slowly loosen the scales from the scalp or affected area. You can gently massage the affected areas with baby oil but be careful not to cause the scalp to bleed. Repeat every couple of days until it is gone. Regularly rough up the area using a fine comb or washer before washing with a baby shampoo.
Cradle cap may take several weeks to clear, but if you are concerned, you should consult your healthcare professional who can assess your baby and advise you directly on how to treat cradle cap. Your doctor may recommend a specific cradle cap treatment or shampoo.
Sources
Health Direct – Accessed 09.2023 at www.healthdirect.gov.au/cradle-cap
Better Health Channel – Accessed 09.2023 at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/cradle-cap
Related articles
Bathing Baby
Your baby will love a nice warm bath and if not, be patient – it won’t take long and they will and won’t want to get out!
6 mins to read
Baby Eczema
The skin is your baby’s largest organ and plays a really important role in protecting your little one from external bacteria and infections.
3 mins to read
