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Iqra Mazhar

Learn about cradle cap, a common condition in infants. Explore its causes, symptoms, and effective treatment options. Get insights on Meri Sehat.

Cradle Cap Explained!

Introduction

Have you ever observed rough spots or scales on your baby&rsquo;s scalp? It is a fairly common phenomenon in infants. This infant seborrheic dermatitis, otherwise known as cradle cap, is a greasy, patchy, yellowish, scaly rash. It is usually not painful or itchy and does not cause the infant any discomfort.

Cradle cap mostly appears during the first 3 months of life. In a majority of cases, it resolves on its own in about 6-12 months. Some children have it for longer; some have it around their ears, eyebrows, eyelids, around the nose, and even in the groin region. 
&nbsp;

Nearly 10% of infants experience it immediately after birth (during the first month) while 70% get it when they turn 3 months old<a href="#accordion">[9]</a>. The number of cases tend to decline once the child turns 4-years-old, with only 7% of toddlers reportedly having the condition when they&rsquo;re 2 years old<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.

Incidentally, it affects 10.4% of boys and 9.5% of girls, indicating that gender is not an important factor for cradle cap<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.&nbsp;Furthermore, the condition is not contagious. 
 
A greater number of instances are mild<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.&nbsp;However, it can turn severe and that can cause itchiness. If the skin cracks or starts to bleed, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. 
&nbsp;

Understanding the Prevention of Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is not caused by any bacterial infection, allergy, or poor hygiene. While the exact cause of the condition is not known, other factors that might have an impact include:&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Hormones: The hormones that your baby receives while it&rsquo;s still inside your womb can overstimulate their oil-producing gland, causing too much production of oil or sebum in the oil gland or hair follicle. This prevents the old skin from falling off the scalp (desquamation); instead, it attaches to the scalp and results in a cradle cap.</li>
	<li>Yeast Or Fungus: Cradle cap can happen due to the growth of yeast or fungus along with bacteria in the sebum. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Every baby&#39;s cradle cap is unique. It can be arranged in bunches or crops, or it can be scattered out throughout the body. Affected regions often exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:

<ul>
	<li>Skin flakes</li>
	<li>Patchy scales&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Thick crust or plaque on the scalp</li>
	<li>Oily-dry skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

It is advisable to seek medical help if any of the following occurs:

<ul>
	<li>The area turns red, drains fluid, or feels warm because these are the signs of an infection</li>
	<li>Patches cause hair loss</li>
	<li>The affected area starts spreading to the face or starts to appear on the body</li>
	<li>A fungal ear infection, i.e., an infection that doesn&rsquo;t respond to antibiotics</li>
	<li>Fungal mouth infection</li>
	<li>A persistent diaper rash 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

If the cradle cap is limited to the baby&rsquo;s scalp, follow these steps to alleviate the symptoms:

<ul>
	<li>Wash the baby head regularly with tear-free baby shampoo</li>
	<li>Gently remove scales with a soft brush</li>
	<li>Do NOT use petroleum jelly, baby oil, olive oil, or ointment on the infant&#39;s scalp without consulting a paediatrician first 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The condition resolves itself over time. However, most parents choose treatment since it generally reduces or eliminates the condition. Even after treatment, the condition can reoccur within the baby&#39;s first year<a href="#accordion">[10]</a>:

If the condition worsens and causes inflammation, the healthcare provider will prescribe hydrocortisone cream to be applied on the affected site. However, hydrocortisone is a steroid medicine and, therefore, should not be used unless advised by a medical professional<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Wash the baby&rsquo;s hair with a baby shampoo frequently and then gently brush their scalp. This can help prevent the cradle cap from recurring after it has been treated. Since each individual case is different, it&rsquo;s important to consult a physician about how often the baby&#39;s hair should be washed once the cradle cap has been treated. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Important!</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Seborrheic dermatitis in the diaper region and skin folds can sometimes get infected. Consult a doctor if the rash worsens or if there are any indications of infection. i.e., the skin looks red, starts to drain fluid, or feels warm.</li>
	<li>Cradle cap in babies normally resolve by the age of 12 months. It can reappear as dandruff in adolescence though.</li>
	<li>It is most likely caused by maternal oestrogen during the neonatal period and a rush of androgens throughout adolescence, both of which impact sebum production<a href="#accordion">[9]</a>. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Conclusion

Cradle cap is a common infant skin disease that occurs due to overactive oil glands in the scalp. Babies between the ages of 3 weeks and 12 months are more likely to develop cradle caps. It is harmless and eventually goes away by the time the baby is 6-12 months old. A majority of instances of cradle cap can be treated at home. However, if the baby&#39;s symptoms worsen or if the condition recurs, then consult a paediatrician or dermatologist. 
&nbsp;

Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>Cradle cap is characterised by a greasy, patchy, yellowish, scaly rash. It appears on the scalp of young infants. The condition is usually not painful or itchy and does not cause the infant any discomfort.</li>
	<li>Cradle cap affects babies within the first 3 months after delivery. It usually resolves on its own in about 6-12 months.</li>
	<li>Cradle cap is not contagious.</li>
	<li>It can become itchy. Severe cases of cradle cap can become breeding grounds for bacteria especially if the skin is bleeding or cracked.</li>
	<li>Bacterial infection, allergy, and poor hygiene do not cause cradle cap.</li>
	<li>Overstimulated oil producing glands that prevent the old skin from falling off the scalp can produce a cradle cap.</li>
	<li>Most parents choose treatment since it generally reduces or eliminates the condition. Even after treatment, the condition can reoccur within the baby&#39;s first year.</li>
	<li>Frequently washing the baby&rsquo;s hair with a baby shampoo and then gently brushing their scalp helps prevent the cradle cap from recurring after treatment.</li>
	<li>Since each individual case is different, it&rsquo;s important to consult a physician about how often the baby&#39;s hair should be washed post treatment.</li>
</ul>