Cradle cap commonly occurs in young infants and consists of yellow, oily scales on the scalp sometimes with redness or irritation. It usually begins in the first month or two of life and resolves by six to twelve months of age. Cradle cap is not painful or itchy. If the rash extends to other areas of the body, it is called seborrhea. The etiology for cradle cap is not clear; however, exposure to maternal hormones during pregnancy and a yeast organism may contribute.

Although cradle cap will get better on its own, treatment will hasten recovery. For mild cases, regular shampooing with a mild baby shampoo and soft brushing will remove scales and prevent recurrences. For more severe cases, your doctor may recommend rubbing baby oil into the scale to soften it one hour before washing with a medicated dandruff shampoo (such as Selsun Blue or Head and Shoulders) once a day to once a week. Another common treatment for persistent cradle cap is to apply one-percent hydrocortisone two to three times a day for three to five days. Other topical or oral medications may be used in older patients with seborrhea. Since cradle cap is a self-limited condition, consideration of these medications would be for very resistant or very severe cases.

Cradle cap usually resolves without complication or scarring. Occasionally, a bacterial infection may develop, and antibiotics may be necessary. Very rarely, extensive cases of seborrhea found with other medical problems may suggest a more serious medical condition. Check with your doctor for the treatment appropriate for your child’s cradle cap.